Quick updates -
I was looking over at my clips and realized that I haven't updated them in about a year. I'll soon be scanning my pieces from 2006 and putting them up on the website
just in case you haven't had a chance to pick up copies to keep for your very own. I'm also getting ready to interview one of the members of Luscious Jackson about her solo project, so that will be cool. Not quite the Jackson I would have hoped for, but not bad.
I have a new blog up over @
Arabisto on the subject of
Combating racism in the Arab American community. Check it out.
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Now, onto today's post - toxic women in the workplace. Recently, I was in talks with an organization to do some freelance work for them. Despite the fact that three of the people making the decision were thrilled that I'd consider working with them, one woman made sure to constantly chime in to undermine me. At first it was, "Well, your resume isn't the most impressive, but..."
Really? My resume was impressive until you saw me and figured out that I'm significantly younger than you, but whatever...
Then it escalated to "How much time would you have to devote to this project in between doing your makeup and hair?"
What the fuck? One, since when are taking care of your appearance and being
competent at your work exclusive of each other? And two, if you know me, you know that I barely wear makeup. A little concealer under the eyes to make it look like I occasionally sleep and some eye makeup - and not all the time. And Lord knows my hair always looks a hot mess!
In previous positions, I've dealt with women who had a preoccupation with the way other women at the job looked. There was the woman I now affectionately refer to as Cow Cunt who acted offended by the sight of my body. If I came into work with a skirt that so much as grazed the knee area, she'd remark that I looked like a whore. Of course, her opinion was instantly invalidated when our boss came in and said that I looked cute - but she would have worn fishnets instead of tights that hide everything. Cow Cunt was masking her insecurity about the fact that I was more than half her age, better liked and a strong contender for her job, but she chose to take it out on my choices of wardrobe. Then, there was the HR person at an unnamed indie label who, at various times, told me that I was balding (
erm, no. i have hair to spare. catch me first thing in the AM), that I needed a nose job (eh, maybe) and that I looked like I bleached my skin (mercury
poisoning, no thanks).
What does how you think I look have to do with your job? What does it have to do with my job? Whether I'm in a dowdy power suit or a dazzling
Pucci dress (ha! I wish!), I do my work. The new rule of thumb should be - if you wouldn't say it to a man, don't say it to me. Deal?
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Before I go, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my best friend Tasha, who turns 23 today. It's also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but considering that Tasha is the mother of my two goddaughters, I'd say that the events coinciding is just a coincidence.
Ohhh, low blow! You know I love you,
Tash ;)Also, if you're in the DC area, please check out the Annual Souk and Olive Harvest tomorrow. It celebrates the annual olive harvest in Palestine and you can support Palestinian farmers by purchasing bottles of olive oil imported from Palestine. The event runs from 11am - 4pm and is located at the The Jerusalem Fund Gallery, on the ground level of the Potomac Plaza Apartment Building at the intersection of New Hampshire and Virginia Avenues, NW. I'll be there in spirit! Mmm...olive oil.
Lastly, check out
Beyonce showing
MJ some
looooove at the
WMA (pictures were posted a while ago).
Too cute. Later!
Labels: Beyonce, Bitches, Me, Middle East, MJ
