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Rep. Wallace writes about sexual harassment

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Illinois

* Rep. Litesa Wallace (D-Rockford) writing in Teen Vogue…

It’s a kiss on the cheek that narrowly misses my lips instead of a handshake. It’s a lingering hand on my back, too low and for too long. It’s a comment about my appearance and an invasive question about my personal life. It’s everywhere and it’s all the time—especially for black women.

I’ve been an Illinois state representative for three years, and I was a legislative staffer for the three years prior. I’ve experienced firsthand the pervasive culture of unchecked sexual harassment that disempowers and silences women, especially women of color.

During my first year in office in 2014, I remember turning to a woman colleague after a man made yet another inappropriate comment in the legislature. “How do you deal with it?” I asked her. “That’s just how he is,” she said, explaining that in her experience, it was better to ignore harassment than confront it.

I hear this reaction from so many women, and most often from women of color, who experience the destructive intersection of sexism and racism known as misogynoir. After decades of being assaulted, disrespected, and underrepresented, it’s painful and dangerous to come forward with our stories. Consequences for sexual harassment are few and far between in Springfield. But the political consequences for speaking out are almost guaranteed.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 10:55 am

Comments

Hearing about this stuff makes me sick at heart. I’m astonished by the sense of entitlement held by some men to behave this way.

Comment by People Over Parties Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:02 am
I am absolutely certain this is true. Any woman who’s worked in a male-dominated workplace before the Great Enlightenment (/s) of the last 3-4 weeks has experienced this—and as with just about everything else in our society, Black women are treated with even less respect than women generally. (There are plenty of disheartening studies supporting this conclusion, as well as research demonstrating that black females are objectified to an even greater degree in our society than are women generally.)

Comment by Crispy Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:13 am
I have just one question.

Why is Ira Silverstein still a State Senator?

Comment by Just 1 question Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:19 am
I once saw a lobbyist walk up to a female colleague of mine while we were on the rail and he put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek after saying something to her, then when he walked away I asked who her friend was and she replied “I have no idea who that was.” I was shocked given how intimate the interaction was, but she - a woman of color - just shrugged as if to signal it happens all the time. That event has always stuck with me.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:20 am
Powerful, eloquent words from Rep. Wallace.

I’m sure there are a million reasons why it’s not politically feasible or expedient, but I kind of wish she was the head of the ticket. I find her a far more compelling option than her running mate.

Comment by Chicago_Downstater Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:21 am
“misogynoir”
Never heard that one before. Such an elegant term for something that should be hiding under a rock.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 12:10 pm