Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democratic congresswoman from Texas, has found herself under heavy fire after an audio recording of her alleged profanity-laced tirade towards a staffer was released. However, some are wondering if the backlash against her is due to the fact that she is a woman of color.
The Houston Chronicle explored this possibility, quoting experts who suggested that the recording may have elicited a different reaction if Jackson Lee was a man.
The recording, obtained and published by the Texas newspaper Current Revolt, captures an angry voice alleged to be Jackson Lee’s berating one of her staffers with profane language. In one instance, the voice is heard saying, “When I called Jerome, he only sits up there like a fat [expletive], just talking about what the [expletive] he doesn’t know. Both of y’all are [expletive]-ups… This is the worst [expletive] that I could’ve ever had put together. Two [expletive] big [expletive] children. [Expletive] idiots. Serve no [expletive] purpose.”
The audio caused a public outcry and prompted Jackson Lee to express regret, saying the recording did not reflect who she is as a person. However, the Chronicle wondered if she is facing more criticism due to her race and gender.
If any employer talked this way to any employee in any private sector workplace, like Rep Sheila Jackson Lee did to her staffer, they would be fired and probably sued!
It does not matter what color she is or what gender she is.
Wrong is wrong.https://t.co/XUXoPekIig
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 5, 2023
In one anecdote, University of Houston Professor Nancy Sims played the recording to her “women and politics” class and asked her students, “Would you have the same reaction if it was a man?” According to Sims, some students believed the release of the audio was a “dirty trick,” while others thought it was unacceptable for any boss to speak to their staff like that. A few students admitted that their reaction would likely have been less strong if Jackson Lee was a man.
Other experts cited in the article also suggested that women in politics, especially women of color, are held to higher standards than their male counterparts. They argue that the alleged audio incident is another example of this double standard that continues to exist in the workplace.
Despite the backlash, Houston city council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who endorsed Jackson Lee’s Houston mayoral campaign, defended the congresswoman. “She operates in excellence, and … when you are driven to operate in excellence, you expect those that support you to do the same,” Evans-Shabazz said. She also added that sometimes, under stressful situations, one may do or say things that are not reflective of their character or intentions.
Professor Sims also acknowledged that the way Jackson Lee spoke to her staff was degrading, but she believes that society may be holding her to a different standard because she is a woman. “I do think we’re holding on to a little different standard than we would if it were a man,” Sims said.
As Jackson Lee continues to face criticism and scrutiny for the audio recording, the article urges readers to consider the possibility that her race and gender may have played a role in the public’s reaction. Whether it is fair or not, incidents like this may be a reminder that the double standard for women in politics, especially women of color, still exist.
