If you were even so much as passing by on social medial last week, you would have heard about the (absurdly) incendiary New York Times article, depicting writer Shonda Rhimes as “an angry black woman”. And if you stayed long enough, you may have enjoyed some of the boomerang responses from the media, such as this one, and this one, oh and this one too!
As a Black woman, a professional, and a huge admirer or Ms. Rhimes, of course I went through the initial stages of “No, she didn’t”, and “What? ooh….”, all accompanied by regular eyebrow-raising motions and a few upwards glances for mercy every now and then. And like most women, Black or of of any other race, who read this piece, I also quickly understood this article was not just about Shonda Rhimes.
According to the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, women accounted for “57.2 percent of the working age women population in 2013, compared to 69.7 percent participation for men. And although the number of women is expected to increase, women are projected to represent only 46.8% of the labor force in 2022. That’s less than 50%!
When a woman makes a significant contribution through her work, it uplifts all of us, regardless of race. It gives little Black, White, Asian and multi-cultural girls something to look forward to.
Do you think little girls with a passion for music walk around wondering if Alicia Keys is more Black than White? I have yet to hear a toddler comment on Doc McStuffins, by saying “Oh she’s cool, but she’s Black”. And if it ever happened, they would have probably heard it from the mouth of an adult. Because what does it matter, really, the color that Excellence, Talent or Achievement comes clothed in?
Yes, I’m not oblivious to the fact that race matters, for having experienced it first-hand, in and out of work environments. Yet what matters most is the legacy we leave behind, the rock we add to the structure of women’s, all women’s rights.
As women at work, whatever our careers, calling or line of work, don’t we face enough obstacles as it is? Aren’t we plagued by enough stereotypes to add to the dimension of our struggle?
And most importantly, haven’t we realized yet that when we criticize, demean or belittle other women, we hurt all women, ourselves included?
The Corporate Sis.
