Ask a woman, especially a woman of color, how she felt watching the video of Maxine Waters “reclaiming her time” as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tried to dodge her questions with some BS, irrelevant flattery and you’re likely to get responses that include pride and empowerment.
Aside from what her presence alone means in terms of representation, that tough-as-nails demeanor, overall willingness to speak out, and ability to get ish done (and reclaim her time when we are so damn used to being interrupted by men) make Maxine Waters a great person for me to “channel” (not that I do her justice, but I try) when I feel like my time is being wasted. Especially when it’s by someone incompetent and less knowledgeable who also happens to be a man.
This week, I am proud of myself for refusing to take bullshit from men who seem determined to explain away sexism and/or blame women for men’s behavior. I’m reminded that I also have a degree in this (or two degrees actually, when we’re referring to psychology)…and there is no requirement for me to teach for free. I now refer them to the multitude of pieces that have already been written on the topic at hand—the rise in my blood pressure simply ain’t worth the time. And frankly, if they aren’t willing to do the work, neither are they.