Why Do We Keep Listening to the Wrong Voices
Written by Andrea Sotelo
Public speaking once terrified me, yet I eventually became a sub-champion in school oratory. This journey taught me something crucial: while how you say something matters, who says it often matters more. Today, this observation feels more relevant than ever as we witness the growing discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and their attempted dismantling.
The answer to why we listen to certain voices lies partly in how we've structured our society around default settings that benefit those already in power. Consider this analogy: right-handed people rarely notice that most everyday items—from spiral notebooks to credit card swipers—are designed specifically for them. They don't have to think about these design choices because they're the default setting. Similarly, those in positions of power often fail to recognize—or choose to ignore—the systemic advantages they enjoy. This blindness to privilege manifests in concerning ways. When leaders claim that DEI initiatives are unnecessary or that we should focus on "equality" rather than equity, they're speaking from a position of never having experienced the obstacles that make these initiatives necessary in the first place.
The argument against DEI initiatives often rests on the assumption that we're all starting from the same place. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Just as left-handed people navigate a right-handed world with additional challenges, marginalized groups face systemic barriers that aren't immediately visible to those in positions of privilege. Research consistently shows that in many social situations, people tend to listen more to men than women, attributing more authority and credibility to male voices regardless of expertise or experience. This bias extends beyond gender to encompass race, class, and other dimensions of identity.
The path forward isn't about creating special programmes or international awareness days—though these have their place. It's about developing the basic human capacity to listen to voices different from those we're conditioned to trust. As one Guardian article pointedly suggests, "We can all learn to listen to people who have different voices, and different sex organs, and different views." This means acknowledging that experience matters just as much as position, and that authority doesn't always equal expertise. It means actively seeking out diverse perspectives, especially from those who have historically been silenced, and questioning our automatic trust in traditional power structures.
My journey from a nervous public speaker to an oratory champion taught me that having a voice isn't enough—the audience must be willing to listen. As we face growing attempts to roll back progress in diversity and inclusion, we must ask ourselves: Are we listening to the right voices? Or are we simply following the loudest ones? The next time you hear a powerful voice dismissing the importance of DEI or claiming that we've achieved equality, remember: those who benefit from the current system are often the least qualified to judge its fairness.
Are you ready to start listening differently?