2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Tracy doesn’t take the bait when Maria Van Pelt, the television reporter responsible for the exposé, asks her direct questions about her not being promoted. Why didn’t Tracy use the opportunity to speak out? Why do you believe she did the right or wrong thing?

You don't want to come across as an angry female when dealing with men or your superiors. You want to be seen as level headed.
I think she did the right thing by staying out of it.
Makes me wonder though - who put the story onto the reporters radar.

Tracy is smart. It doesn't matter if she thinks she has been passed over or not; she isn't going to help herself by speaking out exacerbating the departments problems. If she had, the bosses and her co-workers would be very upset.

This is a slippery slope and I agree with you both. There’s a stereotype about women that men look to validate so you always have to be careful to not step into it in situations like this. Tracy is looking to make change the hard way, by earning it and proving herself. If she was ready to lodge a complaint, it wouldn’t be in front of the media. You have to meet your targets where they already are and work from there. Her co-workers would otherwise not only be upset but permanently label and ostracize her. The trust would be irrevocably broken.

She handled it perfectly.

I think she did the exact thing she should have. There is definitely a stereotype, Jonetta, and men love when they feel they're right about women. If she had spoken up and given this reporter what she wanted, her co-workers and management would never trust her again.

You are right. If you speak out that will follow you making it almost impossible for a woman to go to another city and advance. It will be the first thing mention when called for a reference.

Tracy really had her head screwed right on her shoulders; she also knew what she wanted out of her new career, so she didn't fall into a lot of traps.

Trap is the perfect description.