BY: Raquelle “Rocki” Harris
The arduous elections of 2020 yielded historic outcomes, giving a glimmer of hope for how the tides are turning in America’s political and social climates. Imagine a government that puts its citizens first, making decisions based on securing humanity instead of building borders. U. S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is part of a new legion of elected officials that is making and keeping progressive promises to those who need it most — the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted and neglected — a disparate number of which are Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
The herstory maker is the first Muslim woman to ever serve in the Michigan Legislature and one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. Yet, she acknowledges that her impact and influence stretch beyond the nuances of her religion. “The institution wasn’t ready for someone like me to serve in the United States Congress,” she surmised as she helms her second term. “I don’t just look differently and have a different kind of ethnic or religious background than those before me, but I also talk differently and I feel differently,” she explained.
She is a warrior, boldly representing working mothers who are fighting for the legacies of their children and communities. Legacies that deserve to flourish despite race, class or social status.
When Congresswoman Tlaib spoke with Career Mastered, she had recently returned home from the maligned chambers of Congress after the riot at the U.S. Capitol, in early January. The brazen melee was a tipping point that was swiftly met with the second impeachment of former president, Donald J. Trump. During the proceedings, Congresswoman Tlaib and her colleagues endured excrementitious energy as they were heckled by fellow members of Congress who also flouted safety procedures. “I’m trying to figure out how to rejuvenate, as I had to go through metal detectors and watch the National Guard everywhere on campus. It’s a completely different atmosphere right now,” she revealed, her voice filled with a mix of fatigue and determination.
The 2016 Career Mastered Game Changer Achievement Award recipient is a bel espirit who upholds the oath of her office. Her advocacy for the residents of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District and beyond, is unwavering. “I know my residents don’t have another day, nor week, nor month to wait for meaningful change,” she said. “So, I bring this sense of urgency and push for policies for our residents who have been waiting years to feel like government is going to be on their side and have their backs.”
“We made water [as] a human right, a part of the national conversation; it is part of the COVID package. I’m still in awe that before I came, it was not even discussed or debated as an issue in our country,” she shared. “Every time they mentioned the need for masks and hand sanitizer. I said, ‘That’s great, but people need to wash their hands. People need access to water now.’ Water affordability is a huge crisis.”
Just as she promised and delivered with the Trump administration, Congresswoman Tlaib plans to hold the Biden[1]Harris administration accountable to the voters who elected them. “I urge them to combat poverty in a way that will be historic,” she said. “When you see this uprising on Black Lives Matter, it is not just about police brutality and who killed George Floyd … and all those before. It is also about what are the conditions that led up to this moment where Black lives don’t equally matter? It’s because we haven’t dealt with the true essence of the systemic racism that has left so many of our Black brothers and sisters in poverty.”
“That our school systems in Black communities are not well funded, or well resourced. All of that is connected, so I want them to focus on that. Communities like ours showed up for them even though we had to pass blighted homes and closed schools in our neighborhoods to go and vote for them, so I hope they fully center their policies on that.”
Somewhere, there is a little girl watching and dreaming of the day when she will change the world around her. When asked what advice she has to offer, Congresswoman Tlaib’s response reflects why she is a champion for speaking truth to power even if her voice shakes.
“It’s important to stay very rooted in the community where you live and serve. Be intentional about leading with compassion and understanding even though you may not be struggling the same way, there are other people struggling and we need to show up for each other,” she said.
“Center yourself around practicing gratitude because sometimes that will give you a sense of peace. Sometimes we’re so anxious and fearful of the unknown, all of that can feel so out of control. But what you can control, is what you can be grateful for, so that it can maybe be a moment of light in the darkness.”
Always game to show and tell a great story, Raquelle “Rocki” Harris is a writer, editor and media correspondent who values substance while appreciating style. She focuses on Black culture, minority-owned businesses, entertainment and relationships. As the host/producer of her podcast, Rocki’s Reality, she educates while entertaining.