MAN-agement

(I’m in my Human Resource Management class. About 75% of the class is male; however, the professor is female. We are having a class discussion on different types of discrimination in the workplace.)

Classmate #1: “Okay, okay… I get where you guys are going with this, but aren’t there jobs that women shouldn’t do?”

Professor: “Explain.”

Classmate #1: “Like really physical jobs. Those are for men! Also, being in management—”

Professor: “Be very careful with what comes out of your mouth next, [Classmate #1].”

Classmate #1: “But managing is a man’s job!”

(Every girl in the classroom, including myself, whips around in their chairs and stares at him.)

Classmate #2: “So, what are you saying? That only men should be managers?”

Classmate #1: “NO! That is not what I said!”

Me: “Really? Because that is what JUST came out of your mouth.”

Classmate #2: “So, what do you think women should be doing instead of managing?”

Classmate #3: *shakes his head* “[Classmate #1]… Dude… just admit that you’ve lost and don’t answer that question!”

Classmate #1: “Women should be teachers, or secretaries, or just stay at home. Leave the managing to the men!”

Classmate #4: “WHAT?!”

Me: “So, what about those of us who are female and management majors? We’re just out of luck in your world?”

Classmate #1: “Um… Well, when you put it that way, no…”

Me: “That doesn’t line up with what you said earlier about us needing to be teachers or secretaries.”

Classmate #1: “[Professor]! Help me! I didn’t mean it!”

Professor: “Nope. What you’ve been saying for the last five minutes is a massive HR violation and would get you fired in the real world. You deserve whatever these girls dish out at you. And, by the way, they are ALL Management majors!”

(He got very quiet after that.)