I live in a very diverse area so that workplace was very diverse. I got to witness and experience a diverse range of hate. A lot of that hate was subtle to the point where it was easy to mistake it was a playful joke.

It was COVID that broke the walls down. Asking these guys who put all their personality into being “men” to care for their community (in this specific case, their coworkers) was taken as a personal attack and so they stopped being subtle with their hate. Standing back and reflecting, it was always hate. They were holding back because they didn’t feel embowered to speak their hate before COVID and the changes it brought.

Some guys absolutely hated that one project manager was a woman and had to take instructions from her. All the Chinese people were hated on because of COVID. So many guys were clearly threatened by the one openly gay guy working there even though the dude was minding his own business in the shipping department.

I have had so many guys attack the quality of my work but it was never about the quality of my work. It was because I worked by myself without their help, I worked efficiently because I focused on one task at a time, I put attention into the presentation of my work and because I was able to put boundaries down when it came to dealing with authority. It took me zero effort to make them feel insecure about themselves. Unsurprisingly, they lashed out at me.

That workplace was so toxic. I could live a healthier life in the wilds of Chernobyl compared to being there. I’m glad I kicked over the flaming garbage can on the way out.