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Narjas Zatat
Mar 29, 2017
Press Secretary Sean Spicer held a press conference on Tuesday on the subject of Donald Trump’s alleged links with Russia.
During the conference, American Urban Radio Networks reporter April Ryan was accused of having an “agenda” and told to “stop shaking your head” following a question about Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, and later with Condoleezza Rice (in 2006 Trump referred to her as a "b---h").
The same day, Fox News presenter Bill O’Reilly said he couldn’t focus on a word that Rep Maxine Waters said because of her “James Brown wig”.
African-American woman in Congress speaks up against the president, Bill O'Reilly says he won't listen because of h… https://t.co/Xm8cj0TAfN— Media Matters (@Media Matters) 1490710515
Both women are African American.
O’Reilly apologised and said it was a “dumb” joke.
The interactions prompted black women on Twitter to use the hashtag #BlackWomenAtWork and share the Get Out style microagressions, institutionalised racism and casual patronisation that they are faced with on a daily basis.
Activist Brittany Packnett started it:
And then, it blossomed:
#BlackWomenAtWork are paid less, asked to do more, are constantly antagonized, and then called angry/abrasive for setting boundaries.— ToraShae (@ToraShae) 1490742271
Where “going ethnic” is a verb:
Me: hey I really loved this script..is that role open? Them: Oh, we aren't will to "go ethnic" on that role #BlackWomenAtWork in Hollywood— jurnee smollett (@jurnee smollett) 1490745658
Ain't this the truth #BlackWomenAtWork https://t.co/4cFiCAL5BC— sam (@sam) 1490751396
‘We only hired you because you’re black. Gotta tick those boxes.’
#BlackWomenAtWork : 17 years getting an education, a terminal degree; years of experience only to be told: you're a… https://t.co/MI6kLhI2FJ— K. Bankole-Medina (@K. Bankole-Medina) 1490783340
The ‘angry black woman’ stereotype:
Submitted an article to a leading *academic journal* on police violence. Editor's first comment is, "you sound angry." #BlackWomenAtWork— Rhea Boyd MD, MPH (@Rhea Boyd MD, MPH) 1490763861
And when your natural hair is 'unprofessional':
Hair straightened: "You've got the job!" Hair natural: "Could you pls wear your hair neat like it was when we hired you?" #BlackWomenAtWork— K ;-) (@K ;-)) 1490737964
Having to wear a straight wig to the interview instead of your fro to even get the job #BlackWomenAtWork— Penny Forehead Proud (@Penny Forehead Proud) 1490757351
The atrocious microagressions:
I say I teach. People ask "what grade?" I say I teach college. They ask "community college?" I'm on UC Berkeley's faculty. #BlackWomenAtWork— Aya de Leon🇵🇷 (@Aya de Leon🇵🇷) 1490759758
Where you can't, as a black woman, occupy a position of power...
I am not the assistant, law clerk, nor the defendant, peach. The one you think is in charge is my client. I own the firm. #blackwomenatwork— in charge of the girls (@in charge of the girls) 1490740992
Or have suggestions at work:
Me: *makes a suggestions in meeting* -Silence- A white: *Says same exact thing I just did Whole room:… https://t.co/75VTMdrQ8J— SWV “Rain” is about getting 🥜 on (@SWV “Rain” is about getting 🥜 on) 1490736144
The movement was not lost on Maxine Waters...
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