The Buzz: Be Like Auntie Maxine

Auntie Maxine is a leader. Auntie Maxine is bold. Auntie Maxine speaks out. Auntie Maxine uses her power in service of those who are most marginalized by society. Be like Auntie Maxine.

In case you are unfamiliar, Representative Maxine Waters, affectionately known as ‘Auntie Maxine,’ is one of the longest serving Black women in Congress. She has spent most, if not all, of her career serving the public, specifically advocating for the rights of children, people of color, and those socioeconomically disadvantaged. Like many of the black women who have come before and after her, she is doing ‘the work.’ And she is doing so unapologetically, boldly speaking up and out when many of her (otherwise privileged) counterparts choose not to. Representative Waters has been consistently vocal in challenging the injustices and unethical practices perpetuated by the current administration. Be Like Auntie Maxine.

Representative Waters recently came under scrutiny after encouraging protestors at a rally to stand up against the current presidential administration and those who support them. She did not incite violence or harm; she encouraged rally participants to practice their first amendment rights, use their voices, and leverage civil disobedience for the change they want to see (e.g. DC Mother and teacher approaches former EPA Chief Scott Pruitt). In reaction to her comments, leaders on both sides of the political aisle condemned her, characterizing her comments as unacceptable, and ‘not American.’ She’s been personally disparaged by the President and has even received death threats, causing her to cancel appearances at public events. Representative Waters is true to her convictions, and her commitment to this work is not conditional to mainstream support and protection. She continues to challenge what has become the status quo. Be Like Auntie Maxine.

Earlier this week, Black women and allies across the country penned a letter to Democratic Party leadership, sharing their support of Congresswoman Waters and disappointment with the Democratic Party for failing to stand with, and protect her:

We further believe Congresswoman Waters is owed an apology for your public comments insinuating she is “uncivil” and “unAmerican” for challenging the Trump Administration….As women whose ancestors have lived through the incivility of slavery, segregation, and all other forms of discrimination, racism, and sexism, as people who have historically been told to “wait” for justice, for freedom, for our turn, we consider it an insult to characterize Ms. Waters’ call for the exercise of our constitutional rights as uncivil and un-American. We call on leaders of all persuasion to practice the art of civil discourse. (excerpt via Politico)

Be like Black Women.

Since the rise of the current administration, I have observed and experienced a range of reactions from practitioners in the diversity, equity, and inclusion community: shock (“how did we get here?”), helplessness (“is there anything we can do about it?”), activism (“we must stand up and speak out!”), and even a little bit of (what I characterize as) neutrality (“we can’t make this political.”). Ironically, I’ve also heard people suggest that ‘the masses’ aren’t doing enough… that we all must build a critical mass and ‘push back,’ and some have even begged to question … “why we aren’t doing more?”

The thing is … there are people (like Congresswoman Waters) out there doing the work. They are pushing back, taking a stand, building critical masses, and speaking out. Will we stand behind them, with them? Will we model their passion, advocacy, and quest for justice (in our own way)? Or will we sit on the sidelines, being more critical of their means than we are actively engaged in fully realizing the end goal? My goal is the former. I think we all could be a little more like Auntie Maxine.