The Intersection of Racism and Sexism

"You want to change your major to Political Science? But, you are a woman, isn't that unrealistic and impractical?" -Male peer

Well, my ignorant male peer, because in our era of oppression, not only do I get questioned nearly every day, but also doubted for and looked down upon because I have chosen a career path that has been dominated by males for so long. Only a fraction of our population realizes that us women make up such a small percentage in Congress because of oppressive assumptions like yours coming from ignorant men, as well as a few women, living off of male superiority. Because I am a woman, it has been expected of me since birth to become a nurse, a doctor, a caregiver or any career that "was meant for women like I." And we still question why it is that women only make up 17% of our Congress and why it is that the glorious United States of America is ranked number 90 on the global list of nations with women participation in politics. That's why.

Because I choose not to abide by the gender norms, to let my passion be the biggest factor in choosing my profession. After taking science classes and suffering from the worst pain I could think of, the pain of learning yet gaining nothing in knowledge, I decided to submit to my yearning to study politics. I don't think there is a happiness greater than that of coming to class prepared for lectures because readings no longer are a chore, instead an excitement from the thirst for knowledge. I want to be able to come to class and have my professors educate me about matters I consider of utmost importance. I want to be asked about how I feel and have my opinions be heard and understood. I want to be able to have conversations with my peers about current issues and about our beliefs on the topics discussed in classes. I am sure everyone has had that moment when you feel so passionate about something that your heart could pop out of your chest. That moment, that feeling, that fire, I want to feel it every day, I want to be able to express it in every assignment I turn in. That's why.

Because I choose me. Especially when our economy is forced to deprive me and my peers of job opportunities, it's harder for us to not let life get in the way and our dreams becoming a series of deferred "once upon a time" moments. Having been told by nearly every one I know that my majors may not give me the lavish life, I chose their realities over mine. Knowing that my family have always wanted me to become a doctor for the prestige and honor of the name tag on the white coat, I chose their dreams over mine. Imagining how my future children would take so much pride in having a mother who is a surgeon, I chose their future happiness over mine. Until I realized that everyone was looking at me, smiling and congratulating, yet I was the only one frowning and suffering. Every day that I walked out of those science labs and math lectures, my heart felt so heavy while my brain felt so empty. There was no "I want to learn more, I want to dive in deeper, I want to jump in," there was only "I really don't care." That’s why.

My dear ignorant male peer, I have an infinite amount more of reasons for choosing political science but I realized they will never be enough to wash away the ignorance that has been imprinted in your head. I am a woman and because of my gender, the future I have chosen may require traveling on the grim path of male ignorance and gender oppression, but I am not afraid. I am not afraid because the bright flame my passion has sparked will be my torch and light the way back home. I am not afraid because I know that my impoverished cities and suffering citizens the world have neglected need me more than I am, here. I am not afraid because I know that at the finish line, my people and country are opening their arms to welcome their child home.