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Power Of Women!

Communicating with people was found to be like suffering judgment. In fact, it was almost impossible for me to dwell upon earthly matters, and equally impossible for me to bring the mind down to mundane thoughts and general conversations. ~ Alice Coltrane

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womantoday · 25 seconds

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So this is the fro that led to the firing I mentioned before. This is my own unfortunate Civil Rights journey and it sucks that we’re still doing this in 2018.

The Monday after I wore my hair like this to an off-site tracing event (it’s generally pulled into a bun, etc. but my curls were poppin’ that week so 🤷🏾‍♀️) my manager contacted HR to see if she needed actual grounds to fire me since I was a probationary employee.

Lemme tell y’all how that woman ate lunch with me on Friday. We keekeed like normal colleagues. Nothing untoward happened but come Monday morning as soon as she got to the office she was trying to get me fired. Apparently HR told her “no” but that didn’t stop her. Instead, she started trying to get me to quit because I, like you, have the legal right to work without being punished for incidental blackness, womanhood, etc.

But this was South Florida in 2015 so they’re basically 50 years behind in terms of civil rights advancement for black people.

Months of not subtle harassment and singling out followed. I didn’t budge because (insert preferred cuss here) her; that’s why. I was a smart, educated, professional, punctual, and a protected vet. I earned my place in the Fed and I wasn’t going to quit because some racist wanted me to.

Finally, she crossed an obvious enough line where I had grounds to file an informal grievance so I did. The agency we worked for, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, which is charged with preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within DHS actually allowed the manager to investigate the grievance I filed against her. Like; where they do that at?

Of course she found in her own favor. I then filed a formal grievance the same day which completely documented months of harassment and unfair practices which included crediting another employee for my documented work product and erasing my contributions from our project. No one from management contacted me in response to my grievance but by that time I was too frustrated to go on so I requested a transfer to get away from her.

Welp; without nary a write-up nor warning I was fired and then blacklisted from Fed employment. This was illegal in so many ways that I still can’t understand how they thought they could get away with it. No one from management (Washington DC) even reviewed the grievances I filed against her. No one tried to determine if the three reasons she cited for my termination were actually true (none were). They just took her word and fired me.

So cut to two years later and I actually understand why the managers did what they did. Illegal doesn’t mean that there are immediate consequences for anyone besides the victim when it comes to discrimination in the Fed. Nobody cares because the assumption is that the playing field has been leveled and if someone is fired then they’re surely at fault. 🤦🏾‍♀️

If this is happening to you:

1. Document everything. Don’t rely on witnesses because they can and will be pressured into omitting facts. The have to keep working with entitled and abusive managers. Why would they testify on your behalf?

2. Get and keep copies of Employee Handbooks, Grievance Manuals, etc.

3. Request assistance or intervention from superiors in writing. If they call you or meet to resolve anything send follow up emails to summarize what was discussed.

4. Ask for a change of assignment, supervisor, or location. Tell them why. Don’t bite your tongue for anyone’s feelings. That’s actually going to protect you later on.

5. If you don’t have to leave; don’t. And if they demote, fail to promote, fire you, or retaliate against you for protecting yourself don’t expect quick resolution but sue or at least initiate a formal complaint with your state or Fed EEOC.

6. Fight back, speak up, and share your story. We out here and suffering alone while these people are parading around like they’re decent humans because nobody knows these things are still happening.

7. This should be first but not everyone has access to or can afford a lawyer who gives a crap; but get a lawyer as soon as you can. This is the part where my experience can actually help: if you are a woman, search for woman employment/civil Rights lawyers. If you’re black then search specifically for black employment civil rights lawyers in your area. It’s unfortunate to say it but lawyers have their own biases too.

#workers #natural hair #hairdo #protest #womanism #racism

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womantoday · 3 hours

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Joanna Jean: TikTok, IG

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womantoday · 6 hours

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Naomi Campbell and Brazilian actress Cris Vianna for VOGUE Brazil May 2016.

Photography by Bob Wolfenson

#Cris Vianna #Naomi Campbell #actress #models #2010s #black & white

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womantoday · 6 hours

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THE "COMFORT" WOMEN OF ASIA: a zine 🦋

Hi everyone, we made a zine about an ongoing fight for the rights of "comfort" women from Korea, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, who were enslaved by the Japanese military. We explored their art, stories, and worldwide memorials.

HERE is the printable, HERE is the online booklet. Transcription will be available soon!

#magazine #herstory #women authors #art

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womantoday · 10 hours

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You have to build a home that won't be, can't be shaken by another person's anger. You must build a home that can't be taken, not by force, not by material, not by the wind.

When you are intentional and build a home that is that sturdy and strong, it will never be taken from you. You will live all of your days in it. You will die in it and be glad that you did.

#quotes

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womantoday · 10 hours

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