Are Fragile Male Egos Ruining the World?

Several years ago, I took a course in Ecumenical & Interfaith studies just for fun, because I’m that kind of nerd. I love understanding how things are interconnected, how people are interconnected, how we’re similar and different, and how we can try to live more harmoniously together.

During the class, which was led by a Greek Catholic priest, it became clear to me that all the divisions and problems in the church came down to men in power who did not want to communicate with or listen to one another.

It’s never really a God problem is it? It’s a fragile male ego problem. Something that probably sounds very familiar to all of us even today…

And as that recent NYT op-ed questioned whether “liberal feminism ruined the workplace,” I can’t help but roll my eyes. It’s another case of blaming the victim, instead of questioning the system. But one thing they got right is that the systems weren’t built for us, and that’s 100% true.

​Feminism isn't the problem. Feminism isn’t about choosing career over family, or being “too ambitious” or “too loud.” It’s about choice. About living life on your own terms without judgment or expectation. It’s about equal opportunity. It’s about human dignity.

And yet, so often the conversation gets twisted. Certain voices dominate. Certain experiences get centered. And the perspectives of women of color, queer women, and systemically marginalized people? They get ignored or erased.

That erasure isn’t harmless. It shapes how we see ourselves, what we think is possible, and even how we talk about success. I know, because for years I harbored internalized racism. But then I read my first Asian American history book in my mid to late 20’s and realized my history was hidden or distorted from me–from all of us. And that lit a fire in me.

When we don’t hear our own stories, told by us, we start believing the lies: that women “ruin” workplaces, that ambition is a flaw, that voices like ours don’t belong.

Which is exactly why amplifying marginalized stories matters:
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• It breaks the spell of assumptions and stereotypes.
  
  
  
• It exposes where systems fail.
  
  
  
• It reminds us of our own value and powers.
  
  

The answer to whether “liberal feminism” is ruining the workplace? No. It’s being held back by fragile egos, narrow definitions of credibility, and systems built to erase difference.

So here’s my challenge for you: next time you read a story, consider whose story it really is, whose telling the story, and the purpose of the story–who benefits from the narrative.  Because when we do that, we stop trying to fit ourselves into systems that were never built for us, and instead begin building narratives and futures—that honor who we are.

And if you're ready to uncover and own your own voice and narrative, let's chat. No one can tell you where you do or don't belong, or how you're allowed to belong.

Stay curious,
🎈Justine

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Red Balloon Station is a creative hub for storytelling and brand messaging, dedicated to amplifying the voices of equity-driven Women of Color entrepreneurs and creatives. Through strategy, storytelling, and sales, we’re here to help you harness your own words and stories, forging meaningful connections with your dream audience and making a lasting impact on people, the planet, and culture.


Justine Wentzell-Chang is an Eldest Daughter of Immigrants, Mother, Activist, and your Station Master/Chief Word Witch at Red Balloon Station bringing you strategic messaging and story-centered, conscious copywriting services. 

With a law degree and over a decade of experience making & writing movies that sell globally, I learned a thing or two about writing stories that sell. Now I’m here to give you a spoonful of strategy and conviction to make your words convert...in the most unforgettable way!

Your story deserves to be told—by you. For too long, others have controlled the narrative, distorting the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Women of Color. But we’re here to change that, because you’re not just building a brand; you’re shaping culture, challenging the status quo, and creating a ripple effect of empathy, equity, and positive change. My job? To make sure your messaging reflects that power—clearly, confidently, and with staying power.

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