Dear Men, Give Us A Chance To Speak, Please? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Dear Men, Give Us A Chance To Speak, Please?

Why and how being interrupted by the opposite sex isn't just annoying, but also hurtful.

89
Dear Men, Give Us A Chance To Speak, Please?
MagForWomen

About two weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a professor asking me and a few other students in his class to attend a discussion for extra credit. The discussion was centered around medical ethics, and a doctor had asked us to discuss in smaller groups solutions to the idea of "surprise billing," and how we can make billing more transparent to patients.

Within our small groups, I explained that I believed that the sphere of education is something that needs to come together with the sphere of medicine to keep patients informed by instructing students about how health insurance, billing, etc. works in the real world.

As the mediator called on individual groups, I kept my hand patiently in the air. She accidentally skipped my small group, because we were tucked away in a corner. Coming back around, a kid in my class within my smaller group raises his hand and makes his point about how, "this is a problem with our education system." Dear annoying kid in my class, that was my point to make, and not yours.

Maybe this wouldn't be so irritating to me as a singular instance if it weren't a reflection of a larger problem. In my classical Greek philosophy course, a class with approximately a dozen males and three females, I often times have to fight to get a word in. I've been interrupted by men a countless amount of times, having my point stepped over or stepped on because someone else feels that their point is more important than mine. Rarely have these instances occurred with females, and when they do, it is typically acknowledged and resolved quickly. So what gives?

First of all, I'm upset because it hurts. It isn't about the sheer unfairness of not getting to say what I wanted to say when I wanted to say it, but rather that someone else felt that my point wasn't as worthy to state aloud as theirs was. It makes me feel trapped in a world where, at a place such as a college university, ideas should be flowing around every corner. I shouldn't have to fight for a voice at a place where I spend so much money to make sure that it is heard in the first place.

So why is it that we see plenty of male figures who behave this way? Who are so confident that what they have to say is just the right thing at the right time so they absolutely have to say it? Do we subtly tell men that their thoughts, beliefs and opinions are more important than that of their fellow woman's?

Well, I believe we do. For starters, men have been rewarded for having different kinds of ideas compared to women. Those who determine public policy and run our governments are largely men, and those who run the household sphere are usually women. Of course, in 2018, roles are often reversed.

However, that doesn't mean that some of us aren't still getting used to the idea. That doesn't mean that some of us aren't still very convinced that women have no place offering their voices in places where they were once historically unwelcome.

"Well-behaved women seldom make history." Is that because occasionally, we still come across the annoying kid in class who steals our ideas and doesn't allow us to? I'd say so.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

105353
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

19658
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

18251
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments