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I was bullied. Still remember the sickening feeling of knowing that I'd eventually have to ask the bully for my assessment. BUT. Each of us has more power than we realise. For the aggressor, simply knowing that *someone else noticed your behaviour* can be surprisingly effective.
We know the negative effects of cumulative microaggressions. Consider the effect of cumulative micro-counteraggressions. The raised eyebrow, the deliberate silence, moving to stand closer to the victim. Fleas can bring down elephants. #BeTheFlea
I understand personal risk. Please don't put yourself at risk. But do it for your juniors. Do it for your peers in other specialties. Do it in groups and when you have allies.
Culture eats policy for breakfast. Culture is 'how we do things around here'. Colleges and hospitals and regulatory bodies can set policies, but culture change needs many thousands of small actions every day, by everyone, for a long time until a new culture becomes established.
So do not wait for 'them' to do something. We are them. If every generation believes that only the 'seniors' have the power, then waiting until we are seniors ourselves will only blight another generation. It is time to #BreakTheCycle .
