A woman shared this story about everyday sexism but it didn’t compute with everyone
Astrophysicist Amber Roberts shared an exchange she had with a man at an airport because she thought it was a good illustration of the gender bias faced by women today.
*I take out both of my laptops at airport security* Random guy: *scoffs* “What do you need 2 laptops for?” Me: “Well one is for my astrophysics work and one is for my artificial intelligence work.” #priceless #WomenInSTEM #womenintech #ai #GirlBoss
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 19, 2018
Except some people took issue not with what the guy said but that she had bothered to share the story at all.
I am now trending on r/Iamverysmart. If anyone is curious as to why women might feel unwelcome in tech, check it out. To be clear about the guy asking about my laptops he was talking down to me using a patronizing voice, he also asked twice believing I owed him an explanation.
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
What saddens me about the subreddit is that no one is commenting on the fact that the guy didn’t deserve an answer, but are focusing on why I don’t need two laptops. Also that there is no way “this girl” could be considered an expert in both fields. #genderbias
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last time something like this happens to me. The reason I am sharing this experience is because these are important things to keep in mind when we are trying to solve the problem of getting more women involved in tech. #womenintech
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
Some people were sympathetic.
Woman on Twitter: “A man scoffed at me”
Half the men on twitter: *scoffing* I bet he didn’t.The irony, it burns.
— Christine Seaforth Finch (@CSeaforthFinch) November 21, 2018
1- none of his damn business. 2- did he aske everyone else in line why they have more than one electronic? 3- you rock and I hope my daughter grows up to be as smart as you!
— MNMichelle (@MRS7608) November 21, 2018
Others less so.
I don’t think it was anything to do with you being a woman. I’d have asked the same question if it was a bloke to be fair.
— kieran (@kee2013_uk) November 21, 2018
I’m not denying you do both. Plenty if very smart ladies in this world who delve into more than one field. I’m a Philosopher and Historian not anywhere near as smart as STEM folks. I too would wonder why 2 laptops, it has 0 to do with man or woman just why do they need that?
— JustMe (@LucksLastMatch) November 21, 2018
But you wouldn’t ask in a patronising voice. Therein lies the problem.
— Johanne Brøsted (@JBrsted) November 21, 2018
Honestly I probably wouldn’t even ask, as it isn’t any of my business. However there is no reason to turn this into a male vs female thing. I wasn’t there I don’t know his tone when he questioned her. So we can only speculate based upon the text version of the events.
— JustMe (@LucksLastMatch) November 21, 2018
Maybe this person has the answer.
I hate to say it, but when travel with both of my computers I have been asked the same question. My answer is lame compared to yours, but I have been asked the same question. We as a society need to do a better job of giving others the benefit of the doubt.
— Chad Ogburn (@ChadOgburn) November 21, 2018
