Hi rdgrad15, there have been times where I have felt this way. Yet, I have also observed individuals that are on the introverted side get bulldozed over simply because they tend to be more quiet like you are. You know what I find about these individuals though? They can be THE MOST interesting people to talk to once you get them to open up. There was a girl like that at a barn that my daughter kept her horse and rode at. She was a very good rider, did a lot of work just so she could ride, so in effect she was a working student. The other girls around often were on the shallow attention seeking kind, even had some more mean girl gossipy loud types too. The most marvelous thing was ignoring their banter and listening to the quiet remarks of this introverted girl. She tended to be VERY SPOT on with so many things, VERY SMART girl.

One time one of the more "entitled mean girls" turned to her and asked her to tack up her horse for her, was impatient and then this girl actually called her "my mexican" as though she was nothing more than some servant girl. I was the adult paying customer and my daughter was busy doing her own horse and she actually likes this quiet girl(they are still friends even now years later) who was and still is REALLY GOOD RIDER. So after hearing this girl's comments I looked right at her and said "I do not EVER want to hear you be rude to that girl like that again. She is NOT your mexican and actually if it was not for her schooling and training that horse you ride, you would NOT be able to ride at all!"

Unfortunately, we don't always have a presence like that who really see's our true gifts and says something. It doesn't mean you are unworthy if you do know things but fear speaking up so you don't get picked on. Unfortunately, sometimes there is actually an environment of self centered individuals that don't appreciate someone who may just know the answers but is quiet and reserved.

It doesn't matter if you have some kind of disability either, it should not keep you from being respected when you know things others don't. Yet, sometimes, the individuals around you don't know how to care and appreciate someone like you. Often the handicapped ones or others not really YOU.

And, as far as the mexican comment that was made that day. That was yet another insult as often these individuals are very smart, work hard and can care for a horse better than any snotty spoiled brat of a girl could ever do herself. My daughter is always friendly with them too and made it a point to learn their language and interact with them with respect and friendship.