Before coming to your substack I watched the interview of you by Del Bigtree. I was so impressed. As you say in this substack, rarely do we hear women speaking out because women want to keep everything mild and not rock the boat. I can understand this from eons of women being tossed out of their home or burned at the stake if they spoke out. I am eager to meet women who speak out as it's also something that I do. I have lost almost everyone but am finding new people who want to live by the truth also. Truth is a funny thing - it upsets people, that's probably because we live in a sea of lies. I probably will upset you as well which I don't wish to do but I don't think we should even stop people from using "doxxing or name calling, personal insults or ad hominem attacks". I think we need to see these too and we need to learn how to respond to them so that we oust them and show their ignorance or simply ignore them. Because I see free speech as the ultimate principle, especially on the internet. The internet is a place that you really can't get hurt (other than through ego) as we are only putting words on a screen. You can't get punched in the face like you can "in real life". The internet is THE place for women to speak out and say anything they like anyway they like because we sure as heck can't do that offline. I will be following everything you do. I hail you as a woman who should be held as a glowing mentor to girls and young women everywhere as there are so few around who don't cave. Can't tell you enough how impressed and gratified I am to have heard about you and I feel optimistic that all will be made up to you for the stance you so courageously take. Much respect!
Jennifer, our daughter, Robyn Baker, trained at Parkettes when you were the US National Champion in artistic gymnastics. (I for one enjoyed your father's dry wit and sarcasm, although you may not agree.) We loved your book, Chalked Up, which described exactly what it was like behind the scenes in elite gymnastics. Now everyone knows. I am glad that you and Bari Weiss have joined forces. You had carved out a great career at Levi's only to lose it for merely speaking common sense. Please know that there are many of us cheering you on.
Jennifer I watched your interview on Fox America Reports today 8/30. I was not familiar with your story until I watched the interview. Your courage is inspiring and empowering. Two words were glaring for me throughout the interview, character and integrity. It's time that we all recognize that wokeness amounts to allowing others to do the thinking, and talking for us.
As soon as people start "naming, shaming, and blaming" -- and the left always does -- I call a halt to the proceedings. You can't communicate with people who do that.
I'm a Boomer, was a kid during Vietnam, and I saw the antics of the New Left. My mother was a Communist who left the party over the Hitler-Stalin pact, so I was sensitive to political orthodoxy from early childhood. Today's "woke" is no different from the New Left. With one difference: the corporate world supports them. We must resist.
Never one to shy from a tough conversation. This is a much needed space you're creating here, Jen. I guess it makes me wonder when these conversations got so tough? When did we stop listening?! I'm personally going to make the commitment to do more to hold back judgment, to engage, to ask questions, to be curious. It's the whole notion of approaching life with a "beginner's mind". I/we need to do more of that.
I read about your story before landing on this site. I experienced ostracism, character assassination and other forms of retaliation for speaking out against the lockdowns, mask mandates, coercive measures against doctors who wanted to offer treatment to patients with covid that many wanted for themselves, vaccine "mandates," vaccine passports, etc. I blocked many people from my facebook account for name-calling. I called out others for engaging in toxic forms of behavior on my facebook wall, which often resulted in them blocking me. Many who consider themselves to be on the left prefer to demonize someone rather than engage in an honest debate. They worship authorities, "believe in science" and are not capable of skepticism or are unwilling to apply the scientific method in select domains, such as pubic health. Anyone who supported Trump, or opposed the campaign to impeach him were demonized. Anyone who opposed the covid lockdowns, mandates, etc were likewise demonized. I have been part of the far left since the early 1970s, but did not go in for identity politics. Since March of 2020 I have found that many who identify as being on the right wing of the political spectrum to be to the left of most Democrats. I am astonished at how many on the left endorsed censorship, the exercise of "emergency" legislative powers by the executive branch and inroads by politicians and the courts against the right of informed consent to medical treatments. Exemptions from mask mandates for those whose health is substantially impaired by wearing surgical masks were generally written into executive orders for masks, but have generally not been allowed to take effect by the executive branch, especially at health care facilities.
Your husband and yourself invited me, unknown, to your home and opened my eyes to the fact that we are not alone. I admire your confidence and courage. Thank you,
Hello Jennifer! I wonder how many moms (but of course not only moms) have gotten up every day for 2 years thinking, "I just want this all to be over with," but feeling isolated, trapped; and unable to do much about it.
I'm just finding you but I'm with you!!
Before coming to your substack I watched the interview of you by Del Bigtree. I was so impressed. As you say in this substack, rarely do we hear women speaking out because women want to keep everything mild and not rock the boat. I can understand this from eons of women being tossed out of their home or burned at the stake if they spoke out. I am eager to meet women who speak out as it's also something that I do. I have lost almost everyone but am finding new people who want to live by the truth also. Truth is a funny thing - it upsets people, that's probably because we live in a sea of lies. I probably will upset you as well which I don't wish to do but I don't think we should even stop people from using "doxxing or name calling, personal insults or ad hominem attacks". I think we need to see these too and we need to learn how to respond to them so that we oust them and show their ignorance or simply ignore them. Because I see free speech as the ultimate principle, especially on the internet. The internet is a place that you really can't get hurt (other than through ego) as we are only putting words on a screen. You can't get punched in the face like you can "in real life". The internet is THE place for women to speak out and say anything they like anyway they like because we sure as heck can't do that offline. I will be following everything you do. I hail you as a woman who should be held as a glowing mentor to girls and young women everywhere as there are so few around who don't cave. Can't tell you enough how impressed and gratified I am to have heard about you and I feel optimistic that all will be made up to you for the stance you so courageously take. Much respect!
Jennifer, our daughter, Robyn Baker, trained at Parkettes when you were the US National Champion in artistic gymnastics. (I for one enjoyed your father's dry wit and sarcasm, although you may not agree.) We loved your book, Chalked Up, which described exactly what it was like behind the scenes in elite gymnastics. Now everyone knows. I am glad that you and Bari Weiss have joined forces. You had carved out a great career at Levi's only to lose it for merely speaking common sense. Please know that there are many of us cheering you on.
Jennifer I watched your interview on Fox America Reports today 8/30. I was not familiar with your story until I watched the interview. Your courage is inspiring and empowering. Two words were glaring for me throughout the interview, character and integrity. It's time that we all recognize that wokeness amounts to allowing others to do the thinking, and talking for us.
As soon as people start "naming, shaming, and blaming" -- and the left always does -- I call a halt to the proceedings. You can't communicate with people who do that.
I'm a Boomer, was a kid during Vietnam, and I saw the antics of the New Left. My mother was a Communist who left the party over the Hitler-Stalin pact, so I was sensitive to political orthodoxy from early childhood. Today's "woke" is no different from the New Left. With one difference: the corporate world supports them. We must resist.
I had heard about your experience but only found this article today.
You have been punished for standing up for what you believe in.
You have refused to submit and have suffered for that.
An impressive strong personality.
I happen to agree with your position on this matter... but given your self admitted leftist past it may well be the only thing we could agree on.
Notwithstanding our relative positions you are entitled to your view on this and other matters.
That you have the fortitude and moral courage to stand up for what you believe in despite taking the knocks you have is indeed praiseworthy.
I can’t comment on how Levi felt threatened by your public comments as an employee and decided to terminate your employment.
I’ll support you right to free speech.
Thank you for being such a fine example for us out there to be awe inspired by.
“There simply aren’t enough women calling out the bullshit and I aim to be one.”
I call out the bullshit all the time. Stop by some time.
Never one to shy from a tough conversation. This is a much needed space you're creating here, Jen. I guess it makes me wonder when these conversations got so tough? When did we stop listening?! I'm personally going to make the commitment to do more to hold back judgment, to engage, to ask questions, to be curious. It's the whole notion of approaching life with a "beginner's mind". I/we need to do more of that.
The time has come to SEY EVERYTHING.
I am all in. Time for an awakening. More power to you Jen. Thank you for leading the way.
Thank you for being the voice of reason. I wish you great success on your new platform.
I read about your story before landing on this site. I experienced ostracism, character assassination and other forms of retaliation for speaking out against the lockdowns, mask mandates, coercive measures against doctors who wanted to offer treatment to patients with covid that many wanted for themselves, vaccine "mandates," vaccine passports, etc. I blocked many people from my facebook account for name-calling. I called out others for engaging in toxic forms of behavior on my facebook wall, which often resulted in them blocking me. Many who consider themselves to be on the left prefer to demonize someone rather than engage in an honest debate. They worship authorities, "believe in science" and are not capable of skepticism or are unwilling to apply the scientific method in select domains, such as pubic health. Anyone who supported Trump, or opposed the campaign to impeach him were demonized. Anyone who opposed the covid lockdowns, mandates, etc were likewise demonized. I have been part of the far left since the early 1970s, but did not go in for identity politics. Since March of 2020 I have found that many who identify as being on the right wing of the political spectrum to be to the left of most Democrats. I am astonished at how many on the left endorsed censorship, the exercise of "emergency" legislative powers by the executive branch and inroads by politicians and the courts against the right of informed consent to medical treatments. Exemptions from mask mandates for those whose health is substantially impaired by wearing surgical masks were generally written into executive orders for masks, but have generally not been allowed to take effect by the executive branch, especially at health care facilities.
Hopefully your next stuff isn’t quite so whiny and victim-playing.
Been following you on twitter for a while now so having you on Substack is great!
Admire your courage.
Your husband and yourself invited me, unknown, to your home and opened my eyes to the fact that we are not alone. I admire your confidence and courage. Thank you,
Jacob
Hello Jennifer! I wonder how many moms (but of course not only moms) have gotten up every day for 2 years thinking, "I just want this all to be over with," but feeling isolated, trapped; and unable to do much about it.