Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly on Tuesday mocked the appearance of longtime US Representative Maxine Waters — who has held elective office for 40 years and once chaired the Congressional Black Caucus.
“I didn’t hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig,” O’Reilly said on “Fox and Friends” after watching footage of the African-American legislator’s fiery anti-Trump speech on the House floor.
Also Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Sean Spicer chided veteran White House correspondent April Ryan from the podium, telling her, “Stop shaking your head.”
Both incidents were seen as white men belittling accomplished professional black women, and the response on social media went viral quickly Tuesday afternoon. Missouri activist Britanny Packnet kicked it off:
This happens to black women everyday at work.
Share your Maxine and April moments, so people don’t think this is rare. Use #BlackWomenAtWork— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) March 28, 2017
And many, many more black women have weighed in.
#BlackWomenAtWork “I’m so impressed with how professional you are.” Me: pic.twitter.com/GhY1T2LW1Q
— Patrice Gist Bethea (@PGBethea) March 29, 2017
When you and your boss both have PhDs, yet he has you complete all proofreading as if you are his secretary. #BlackWomenAtWork
— DarlingNikki (@trueheart593) March 29, 2017
If my tips doubled every time someone at work touched/played with my hair or asked me if it was “my” hair #BlackWomenAtWork pic.twitter.com/ovvRxIW54O
— Miss Forte (@AAlexandraForte) March 29, 2017
Oh we’re talking about my hair again today? Cool, it’s been at least 2 days since the last discussion. ????????????????????????#BlackWomenAtWork
— Antonette N. Smith (@AntonetteSmith) March 29, 2017
And Representative Waters even got in on it:
I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated, and I’m not going anywhere. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) March 29, 2017
The stories are still coming as #BlackWomenAtWork was one of the top trending topics on Twitter Wednesday morning.
