Things that piss me off, Academia edition
Grantwd, many of these will cross over to other workplaces and space. However, here is what I, a cis-gendered female, white academic notice that makes me want to punch a wall.
Student evaluations are biased against me. It is not uncommon for them to reference my personality, my sense of humor, and sometimes, how I dress. I like all these things about myself, but I feel like I should be judged on my teaching, my intelligence, my efficiency and efficacy in the class room, etc.
I cannot be angry without suddenly representing all women. I can barely be stern before I am "just a bitch" or "overly emotional" or "trying to look tough/be a man." I often feel I cannot have emotions beyond happy, supportive, and similar.
I am our students' emotional support professor. (And, to be fair, I absolutely love it that our students trust me enough to come to me with everything from department drama to scary medical diagnoses to assault/abuse). However, I am frequently their only stop because they are culturally/socially taught that I am the safe option AND that I will always help. Most of my male colleagues could and would, but they aren't given a chance because there's a chance that they can't or won't. (This is not a critique of the colleagues or of the "find a woman" thing we teach children from a young age. Rather, it is a critique that that teaching needs to be in place at all.)
Not all the men in my department, but several grumble when they are asked to do service like heading an in-house committee. This is "a waste of their time," even, at times when it is a powerful position. There's a reason I am up to my ears in service.
Students talk in my class no matter what. I will wait until they stop only to start up again as soon as I begin speaking. Several other female colleagues have the same issue. Male colleagues do not seem to have this on a regular basis.
Many other people on my campus assume I am anything BUT a professor. Granted, I have been told I look a little young (like I am in my early- to mid-30s), but this is still old enough to have a PhD.
I end up taking meeting notes because sometimes, no one else will. I have also been blasted by a more-senior colleague because my meeting notes were not a transcription of the meeting. (To which I say: hire a stenographer, bitch).
God this feels good. Maybe I'll add more later. For now, I get to sit in the doctor's office because I caught the crud (which is not helping my mood, but hey, I DO get to overhear the nurses gossip so that's fun).
Edit to add tags. Oh and the fun fact that ten minutes after I stopped typing the original I was diagnosed with Covid.
