Dear people who refuse to call me Doctor for reasons I don’t understand,

I earned a Ph.D.; therefore, my rightful title is Doctor.

This isn’t a title I just bandy about because I don’t like people calling me Ms.  I didn’t make it up.  It’s not something that I just tell people to make myself seem impressive.

Contrary to popular belief, I am a real doctor, even though I’m not an M.D.

Just because I do not fit your stereotypical assumptions of what a person with a Ph.D. is, in no way negates the reality that I earned the degree and its attendant title.

What is it that prevents you from recognizing me as a doctor?  Is it because I teach high school?  Is it because I’m female?  Is it because I’m black?  Is it some powerful combination of the three?  Is it because I do a fantastic imitation of a bat in flight?  Is it because I’ll actually engage you in a conversation about titles and what they mean to people, instead of ramming my doctorate down your throat?

You know what’s funny?  There is only one context in which I prefer to be called Doctor, and the reasons for my preference have nothing to do with with my having earned the right.

Not being called Doctor actually doesn’t bother me, but your refusal to do so does.

Curiously yours,