Complicit - by Reah Bravo (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Part cultural study, part call to action, this thoroughly researched and deeply personal examination of white-collar work in America's hyper-individualistic, patriarchal society will change the way you think about sexual misconduct and workplace abuse. When Reah Bravo began working at the Charlie Rose show, she wasn't deterred by the open secret of Rose's misbehavior toward his female staff. Believing herself capable of handling anything unprofessional that might come her way, she soon learned a devastating truth: we don't always react to abusive situations as we imagine we would. In fact, today she considers herself both a victim and an enabler of Rose. Weaving her own experience with that of other women and insights from experts, Bravo reveals the psychological and social forces that make us all enablers of a dangerous, sexist status quo--regardless of our good intentions or feminist ideals. Complicit shows that the path to a better, more equitable society begins with cultivating the self-awareness and mindfulness necessary to act against our cultural conditioning.

Review Quotes

"[In] former PBS news producer Bravo's thoughtful book... she is not trying to establish blame or assign labels like victim, predator, or participant-she is instead looking for insights, acknowledging that everyone, men and women alike, suffers from the effects of toxic social conditioning. She digs deep...offer[ing] scenarios that will resonate with readers.... Her balanced and nuanced observations give readers much to think about." -Booklist (starred review)

About the Author

Reah Bravo is an American speechwriter currently living in Brussels. Earlier in her career, she worked in broadcast journalism producing political and other news segments for the PBS program Charlie Rose a stint that ended in 2008, when she joined the nearly half of all sexually harassed women in America who leave their jobs. She holds a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and was a Fulbright Fellow in Bahrain.