It’s time for the Super Bowl. We’re stoked to cheer for our team, party with friends, rate the commercials–and stop sexual harassment. Yep! Uncool behavior can happen anywhere–and it’s definitely a buzzkill when it does. But we know that sports fans are not fans of sexual harassment. So join the team. Stand up against harassment, and declare your party a safe space for all: #BeThatGuy At the Super Bowl.
Together we can create a culture in which all people are safe, respected, and able to be their best selves. GAME ON.
#BeThatGuy
1) Be That Guy At Home: There’s nothing like hanging out at home with the family watching the Super Bowl–that is, until your doofus cousin makes a sexist comment about the cheerleaders. If you’re like 8 out of 10 guys, you feel uncomfortable in that situation, but you’re not really sure what to say. This time around, Be That Guy who breaks the silence. If someone you’re with says something demeaning about women, tell them it’s not okay. One small statement can shift the standards among your friends and family and make violence and discrimination against women–even in its tiniest everyday forms–unacceptable.
2) Be That Guy Who Breaks The Silence: This year, football players and fans led the way toward making violence against women unacceptable. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, for example, called out the NFL’s domestic violence problem and rallied teammates and fans to Be That Guy who holds himself accountable. “I can’t fix the world. I can’t fix the NFL. I can’t change the guys around me,” he said. “The only person I can change is the one in the mirror.” So Be That Guy: stand up and speak up for your own values—and help that become the way everyone rolls.
3) Be That Guy At The Bar: Watching the game at a bar: fun. Being a server or bartender who gets harassed when a fan crosses the line: not fun. What can you do about it? Be That Guy who treats the staff with respect; speak up if someone else doesn’t. When you set the tone, others will follow.
4) Be That Guy Who Makes People Think: CBS Sportscaster James Brown wants all of us to hold each other to a higher standard because “our silence is deafening and deadly.” He made it loud and clear for all of us to take responsibility for our own words. Next time you hear a dude call another dude “bitch”—for instance—say, “So what do you actually mean by that?” It could shut him down—or, it could start a pretty interesting conversation…and maybe a moment of reflection and change.
5) Be That Guy Who Isn’t Afraid: When we see something wrong, many times we stay silent. We think that if we don’t say anything, we won’t risk doing something wrong. But if you’re silent in a bad situation–whether it’s a friend saying a sexist comment or if you witness a sexual assault–you’re accepting it. Be That Guy who breaks the silence, who says NOT OKAY!, who changes the norm.
6) Be That Guy Who Keeps It Fun For Everyone: Nip gross comments or moves in the bud so that everyone has fun. Whoever brings home the rings, when we break the silence and stand up for respect, everyone wins.
7) Be That Guy Who Makes Change: Even fans of the losingest teams had some wins this season, as fan pressure helped drive the pressure on the NFL to make real policy change around domestic violence. Together, we are the Breakthrough Generation. Together, we will make violence against women unacceptable—and build a world where everybody wins.
