As well as "aggressive" and "feminist" (said in a demeaning manner).
In one meeting where I would not let a point go until my emphasis was made, I was told to "let it go" by one of the black male members there. I was stupefied. I had stood up for him on so many occasions, and yet here HE was cutting me down on a point that was vital to my continued willful employment there.
After the meeting, I couldn't even be around him, I was so angry. I thought if we minorities can't stick together to get things done for ALL of us... we're ALL going to fall once again!
The next morning at the office frig, he had the audacity to say "do you have anything to say to me" (Meaning an apology). Honestly, the thought had never crossed my mind... but I DID let him know basically what I said in this message. And I told him his PHD didn't mean diddly squat to these white men when it interfered with what they wanted, and I'd get off the high horse about it. Simply because he had risen through the ranks for gain the money to afford himself study and hard work toward a PHD didn't mean everyone else was beneath him... and that women were still (and especially in the DoD) on the bottoms of the almighty totem poles.
I tell you, he was taken aback with my attitude! Couldn't believe that a short white woman would dare talk about the disparities of employment among minorities and not shut up and be totally on his side! I don't know that he ever "got it"... and mores the shame for it, IMO. It never stopped me from sticking up and helping those around me, regardless of where they were in the social pecking order... and I considered myself a better person for putting myself out there for them.
As you can tell, years after it happened, this event still raises a passion in me.
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