Sisters,

On Sunday, June 14th, UFC fighter Josh Hokit used his post-fight interview at the White House to call former First Lady Michell Obama ‘a man.’ His vile remarks were met with cheers and laughter from some and stunned silence from others.

As Black and other women of color have come to expect, the people with the most power in that moment did the least. The White House issued no statement and did not respond to requests for comment. President Trump, seated in the front row, later called the night “incredible” — without ever addressing what was said on his own lawn. UFC President Dana White eventually condemned the remark as “nasty and false,” but Hokit walked away with his win, his platform, and no real consequence — just as he faced none in January when he called WNBA star Brittney Griner “a man.”

Others did speak up — elected officials, athletes, and even some of the President’s own supporters said the remark should be denounced. But condemnation without consequence changes nothing. And that is the part that angers me.

Michelle Obama and Brittney Griner have been the target of this specific smear for a long time. Apparently, they are living rent-free in the heads of too many racist and sexist people. But what angers me is not that they take up space in the heads of sad little men — it’s that those men keep getting away with it, held accountable by no one. Clearly, Mrs. Obama didn’t let any of it interrupt her joy, and she even spoke (indirectly) to the very people who seek to dehumanize others at a recent event (wink, wink).

I’m so over the blatant disrespect and the attempts to dehumanize Black and other women of color. Don’t they see it’s NOT WORKING? Black and other women of color continue to make a way in this cold, cruel world, and as long as there is breath in our bodies, we will keep fighting for justice, freedom, equity, and JOY!

Michelle Obama once famously said, “When they go low, we go high.” Black and other women of color have taken the high road since the beginning of time. But I wonder if the folks seeking our oppression have ever asked themselves what would happen if we stopped. What if we simply sat down and did nothing? Stopped striving, stopped working twice as hard to prove our worth, stopped wiping our tears and pushing forward. What if we just quit — quit fighting them, quit seeking their attention, approval, and resources, and close ranks to depend only on ourselves? What if we stopped shopping in their stores? Stopped working in their organizations. Stopped donating and volunteering for their causes. Stopped voting for anyone other than Black women candidates. What if…

There is at least one Facebook group of Black women saying exactly that — we out. Many are daring to risk it all by sitting out “saving our democracy,” staying home to make the point that there is rarely a clear path to elected office without Black and other women of color. We are watching who shows up for us and who doesn’t — and too many leaders and organizations are failing the test.

WE CAN is in planning mode for the next several months, sitting with these and other hard questions. A few months ago, we had planned listening sessions, but had to postpone when I got sick. But as the calendar marches past the primaries and into a heavy midterm campaign and November election season, we have a lot of work to do.

First, we need to get clear on what we want. I’m talking BIG asks to match the BIG power we hold in the voting booth — and it’s high time we started acting like it. Throughout the month of July, you’ll receive reminders to answer one question: What is the ONE issue you most want WE CAN to fight for between now and 2028?

Share your thoughts via this Google form or email us at info@womensequity.org.

We’ll take the top responses and go deeper — in Zoom meetings, in small house parties, and in online surveys — to flesh out the details. WE CAN needs your help to build our Power 2028 Agenda.

So take some time over the next few weeks to sit with this question and share your answer. Then share the question with another sister.

Take the first step today to make sure that what concerns YOU shows up on the list of what the WE CAN Network fights for over the next two years.

In solidarity, Dr. Stephanie WE CAN Founder

Walk In Ready: Claim Your Power Seat with Elected Officials ~ June 25th | 7:00 – 8:00pm ET

Sisters, this moment is calling us to action! Federal decisions are hitting our communities hard — from budget cuts that gut the programs we depend on to the way public funds are being redirected away from the people who need them most. Our elected officials need to hear directly from us — loudly, clearly, and frequently.

Join WE CAN and our partners for another session in our Power Hour series: Walk In Ready: Claim Your Power Seat with Elected Officials, a free, one-hour virtual session designed to give you the tools and confidence to walk into any elected official’s office — in person or virtually — and make your voice impossible to ignore.

You’ll leave knowing how to:

1. Request an appointment with your elected official

2. Prepare your message and materials before you walk in the door

3. Conduct yourself during the meeting to maximize your impact

4. Follow up strategically to keep the pressure on

5. Hold your electeds accountable long after the meeting ends

We’ll have two experienced advocates share insider tips on how to make the most of every meeting, this session will meet you where you are—whether this is your first time contacting your elected official or you’re ready to take your advocacy to the next level!