Quiz: Are You Being Held Back By Systemic Barriers Or Did Your Sweater Get Caught On A Doorknob?
Over the two years, we’ve seen even more how people from marginalized backgrounds can be held back due to systemic barriers. These barriers can be blatant but can also manifest in subtle ways. Take this quiz to determine whether you’re being stopped by outdated discriminatory power structures, or if it’s simply your sweater caught on a doorknob.
Do you feel like you’re being held back based on external factors?
A: Factors such as race, gender identity, sexuality, and/or religion are being held against you.
B: External factors like what you wear prevent you from moving forward. Specifically, the sleeve of your sweater that got stuck on your bedroom doorknob five minutes ago.
Do people from more privileged backgrounds experience the same challenges as you?
A: No, people from more privileged backgrounds are given opportunities, oftentimes despite their mediocre performance.
B: No, your roommates who did not wear sweaters today and did not walk too close to the doorknob are not being held back.
Do you feel like you are unfairly punished?
A: Yes, you are often given the most difficult assignments and are blamed for the failures of other members of your team.
B: Yes, you are awkwardly stuck in the threshold between your room and the hallway. You are unable to reach the closet where you keep your vitamins.
Do you feel like you are excluded from important conversations?
A: Yes, it feels like colleagues and superiors intentionally make important decisions in secret meetings without you.
B: Yes, your roommates are deciding what to order for dinner without you. They claim they tried to include you by asking you to come to the living room but refuse to acknowledge your doorknob-based struggles. They are considering Thai.
What happens when you try to take matters into your own hands to fix your situation?
A: Speaking out about the discrimination you face causes people to label you as “difficult.”
B: When you try to walk forward you feel pulled back by the doorknob. Your sweater feels like it's stretching.
Maybe if you just wriggle your sleeve a bit—oh, you’re free! You finally managed to get your sweater off the doorknob! See, that wasn’t so hard. Are you able to leave the situation you are in?
A: Due to extenuating circumstances I am unable to leave this environment.
B: Yes, you can. You’re going to enjoy your freedom by going for a walk outside. Goodbye indoors, hello natur—oh shit! Your sweater is now stuck to the knob of your front door. God, you’re such a helpless child.
Results:
Mostly As: We’re sorry to say your problems have deeper systemic roots. It can be tough to navigate the perils of this discrimination. Rely on allies, keep your head down and try to excel through your work. Hopefully, you will benefit from the slow-changing tides of justice.
Mostly Bs: Based on your answers, we can confidently say your problem is your sweater that is stuck to the doorknob. Why the fuck are you even wearing that thing? You already have the heat in your apartment turned all the way up. Wearing a sweater won’t get you in the mood to write the novel you’ve been procrastinating on for three years. Just wear lighter clothes inside like a normal person... or walk slower.
