I’d always tell myself that I didn’t experience sexism. Well, at least not to the same degree as others. Yet, while preparing my topics for my portfolio, I vividly remembered a time in middle school where it was blatant sexism. As a ‘joke’, a male student told me to “go make [him] a sandwich.” Moments before this I was sharing an opinion. Not discrediting his, just sharing my own. Others around me laughed and I joined with one that was uncomfortable. I was very aware of this statements inappropriateness, but I wasn’t aware of how to handle the situation. From there, everyone moved on about their day and I speculate that he doesn’t even remember saying that. I’m quite positive that no one but me remembers that interaction. And because of that, I’ve questioned myself. Did this really happen? It is so present in my mind but completely erased from others. And I remember feeling stuck. I knew it was wrong. I grew up understanding those comments were inappropriate. But I wasn’t taught how to handle the matter. And to be honest, I still don’t know how to. I’m afraid of retaliation or others taking the side of the perpetrator. I’ve seen others call out sexism and get laughed at. And I just want there to be a set formula where a person who makes those comments understands why they’re wrong and pushed to improve. But ego is a strong barrier to break.