Happy Thursday, y’all! We’ve been ghost for a while as we focused on the official launch of DAPP, our 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, but we’re back with a vengeance (if you don’t know about the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program and our quest to cultivate and sustain the next generation of women of color lawyers, click here).
This also happens to be the first week that we have gone to work in corporate America *knowing* that a major political party has nominated a woman for the highest office in the land – President of the United States of America.
Like we’ve said before, Uncolorblind is not political, and we don’t typically discuss politics or endorse parties or candidates; however, we couldn’t let this moment in history pass without acknowledging the profound effect it’s had on us and millions of women around the world. We shed real tears because we might have a woman president, y’all. And it’s a game-changer in so many ways. As Hillary Clinton so aptly stated last Thursday night during her acceptance speech, “[w]hen there are no ceilings, the sky is the limit.” And we’re feeling pretty limitless right about now because a woman just dabbed on all the haters who said a woman could never hold this office or become the leader of the free world. #WhatCeiling #CeilingBeGone
HRC’s nomination dares us to dream in a way we never have before. Of course we’ve always had dreams and are hustling to make them a reality, but there is something about proudly watching another woman make history that puts a little pep in our step. Something that causes us to push a little bit harder, dream a little bit bigger, and dare to embrace every bone in our female bodies because we know another barrier has been shattered and we can achieve even more. So absolutely – Deal. Us. In.
This moment in history is also a source of strength. It’s strength for the next time you have to dig deep when a man who is your professional equal calls you ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘baby’ during a work call, or the next time a man interrupts you mid-sentence only to repeat the point you made 5 minutes before, or the next time anyone tries to place limitations on you and your dreams because you are a woman. When the road gets tough, keep pushing because Hillary Clinton’s nomination reinforces what we sometimes lose the courage to embrace – women are powerful beyond measure.
Now, this is Uncolorblind, so you already know that even in our joy and excitement for Hillary, as women of color we are still quite aware that sexism and racism often intersect to make our journeys a bit rockier and more difficult to navigate, especially in corporate America. All of the unconscious stereotypes about women and brown people collide and lead to experiences we’d rather not have – i.e., no, we won’t get your coffee or expedite your transcript because we are neither the secretary nor the court reporter, we are the (competent, intelligent, highly-skilled) lawyers. But it is these experiences that make us stronger and better equipped to prepare our mentees and DAPP scholars for the legal profession, and for that, we wouldn’t trade anything in the world.
So as you tackle your work day, do so with confidence and pride because, despite what the recent events across the nation tell us, a better day is coming. Women are on the way to running the free world! Oh, and when you get tired at work today and stretch your arms up, be careful, because the ceiling you’re used to hitting is much looser than it ever was before.
(P.S. If you missed Hillary’s speech you can see it here or read it here. It’s the politically aware thing to do.)
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