i left a quarter of my midterm blank - on internalized sexism

i left a quarter of my midterm blank

i didn't guess because i thought some man might laugh

i knew the answers but i doubted myself on his behalf


some adult decided some time in my childhood

it’s better to let her feminine fear fucking fester

while the boys built bravery beyond their tethers


so i memorized my driver's ed manual

until my answers were immune to any man’s denial 

while every teenage boy could afford to leave his engine idle

mine has not since left its spiral



READING MATERIAL! 

The different links within each category are redundant, so just pick the format/style you prefer, whether it's academic or not. 


Internalized doubt in women's bodies  
Nicole Brossard's spiral out of the patriarchy
Sexism on the Road in the Philippines
  • Driving remains highly male-dominated: link
  • In 2022, 98% of road cyclists were men: link 
  • Sexist posters/signs on jeepneys: link

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