FOR REAL - episode 21

FOR REAL is a podcast on human dignity, made by Resonate Productions.

In this episode: being reduced to stereotypes - feeling left-out with men - being underestimated - the responsibility of filling a quota - micromachismo. 

Recorded on 10  March 2025 at TU Delft, the Netherlands, hosted by DEWIS.

(01:40) Seju [°2000 - Mahoba, IN]: "I am afraid people see me as someone who is not from Europe. 'This is where you come from so this is perhaps how you think, what you do and what you like.' That is scary. I would want people to see me behind their own vices. Not as a female engineer, who can only be interested in female problems." "So much is overlooked because of your gender." "What exactly?" "Those are thoughts I do not want to think about."

(08:00) Parisa [°1995, IR]: "I am not taken seriously and left out at meetings here at TUDelft. Which doesn't make sense to me: it is a scientific discussion. In one-to-one discussions I always feel heard, but in groups with men not, I feel left out. I constantly feel I need to make my voice heard, and I shouldn't. If I force it, it becomes a pity-attention, and that also does not work. I don't understand why this happens. How can we solve this?"

(13:23) Carolina [°1999, PT]: "'Are you sure you can do that?' That hits you with embarrassment, to take up your own space. It is some shame, especially when you are young. It was said to me that my presence was essential because I had to bring some peace into a room of male energy. Almost mothering me. They were old enough to be my father. But they are not sexist, right? Because they have mothers and daughters they do respect, they are just trying to protect me..."

(19:29) Tracy Davis [°1985, Capetown, SA]: "Not only being a female but also a female of colour, especially from South Africa with a painful history, based on race. You are filling the quota and it is also a big responsibility. Trying to be the example. It's also something to be grateful for: you are able to try, to step out. To be able to empower the others."

(25:41) Victory [°1994, Nigeria] and Natalie Mesa [°1991, Peru]: about micromachismo, "being called Natisita in my first job as an engineer in the mining sector. The others were 'doctor' even though they were not." And: "Hey mom, you are strong, you are brave and I love you. My mom has 7 girls and 1 boy and went to university after having all of us. She just pulled through and kept up showing up every day."

(32:40) What do you deserve? "To be free to just be." "To have space to act when we need it, but also rest when we need it." "The relief to not need to be a superwoman." "The benefit of the doubt." "To be myself, even if I change the way I am at some point." "Support."

For each episode of FOR REAL, we get together with a group of people in a theater, to look into what it means to matter as a person. All interviews are carried by improvised music, made by George Dumitriu (viola, guitar), Sarah Jeffery (recorders) and Andrea Voets (harp).

Made by Resonate Productions -creating musical journalism-

Music & interviews: Andrea Voets, Sarah Jeffery, George Dumitriu

Sound engineer: Hayden Hook

Funded by: AFK, FPK, BNG, Cultuurfonds, Dioraphte

Instagram: resonate.productions || facebook.com/musicaljournalism || www.resonate-productions.com

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