I was signing up for sports classes held at my university, which were specifically reserved only for university employees. My (white) friend and I decided to register for the same classes, so that we could workout together. She and I went to the admin desk to register for the classes. When it was our turn, […]
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There was no misunderstanding
I was working as a junior researcher at a department where I felt I did not belong. I was one of the few non-Dutch speaker, person of color, woman of color. One day I forgot to bring my own keys to my office. I went to the admin to ask for a spare key so […]
Regretful Politeness
A postdoc, a feminist. They were in an open relationship. They told me that they are looking for a threesome. I pretended to not notice that they were considering me as their ‘candidate’. One day, the postdoc’s then-boyfriend texted me, asking whether ‘they can take me home’. I declined. Politely. (I blame myself for that […]
Memories That Hurt
I was a PhD student and he is a postdoc. We were friends. At least, that is what I believed us to be. Until one day he expressed his romantic interest in me. I rejected his approach, saying that I am not interested. That day, I went home and received a text from the postdoc. […]