Ashley Judd warns about ‘everyday sexism’ at airports

Image: Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock.com

It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular Joe or a Hollywood actress, there’s one thing we all must do at the airport and that’s going through airport security.

But 49-year-old actress Ashley Judd has taken to social media to share a video about her experience with “everyday sexism” after being called sweetheart while going through security and she wants other women to do the same.

The video, which she shared on her Facebook page, has been watched more than 2 million times since it was published on August 5.

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“This is the kind of thing to me that happens which I categorise as everyday sexism,” the actress said in the video.

“And it is so easy to let it go and not to speak up, particularly when it is so easy for someone to push back and say, ‘Oh, I was just being polite.’

“So I was coming through security and a guy said ‘Hey sweetheart,’ and I said, ‘I’m not your sweetheart, I am your client.’ So I was already setting a boundary.”

Judd goes on to explain that the man at security went on to say “Hey, nice dress!”

“I didn’t hear him say anything about the attire of any of the other folks in the entire line and I am in one of the most traveled airports in the world.

“I’m surrounded by lots and lots of other people dressed in lots of different kinds of dress. … And then guess what happened next? He touched me,” she explained, adding that she later spoke to a manager who apologized and assured her that all staff are trained to call people sir or madam and touching is considered completely inappropriate.

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More than 31,000 comments were left on Judd’s Facebook video, with many people criticizing the actress for her video.

“My opinion of you was just BLOWN. I thought you were a carefree, comfortable in your skin, live and let live kinda girl. Your a SNOB….. I’m disappointed,[sic]” said Tammy Woodworth.

“Complimenting your dress is sexist? Yes go complain on a friendly gentleman trying to make a living just so you have something to draw attention to yourself. I highly recommend meditation and prayer in your life. You are filled with so much anger and negativity,” Jen Marshall commented.

“Dear lord people can’t even give you a compliment now. Your nuts lady,[sic]” added Jesse Vaughn.

But there was some support for the 49-year-old actress in the comments.

“Good for u for talking to manager you are a Beautiful. Young lady love u and all your movies,[sic]” said Charlotte Coffey.

“I don’t like being called hon or sweetie by anyone I don’t know. I find it disrespectful, especially as a client. If I don’t know you, you haven’t earned the right to call me anything but ma’am.”