Jasmine Crockett Criticism Is Black Women's American Experience
Op-Ed: Why Are Black Women Always Held To A Higher Standard? The Real Issue Behind Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s ‘Hot Mess’ Controversy
Telling the story of Black woman’s inability to dress, speak, hell, even think without being policed is like beating a dead horse. Yet, it is still very true in the year of our Lord that is 2025, and the latest controversy with congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is yet another prime example.
Recently, the congresswoman was criticized after referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” during an appearance at a Human Rights Campaign banquet held in Los Angeles.
The larger problem stems far beyond whether you think her comments were distasteful or not, but should be focused on why, as Black women, we are always expected to take the high road in all aspects of life.
When our bodies are policed, we’re told to wear more clothing or dress appropriately for XYZ. Black women are often taught to diminish themselves at the sake of others from an early age and in most instances we comply out of fear of being labeled “too fast,” “too grown,” or worse, “the angry Black woman.” And expecting Crockett to retract her comments about Abbott or furthermore criticizing her for doubling down on what she said is yet another example of how society, and our culture, is constantly picking apart Black women’s every move – we get it, we’re held to a different standard, but at what cost?
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America is seemingly in flames with President Donald J. Trump making impulsive moves like hiking up tariffs, going back and forth with China every chance he gets, and let’s not forget the direct attack that he and his minions have on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices that are in place that extend far beyond helping Black people get an “equal slice of the pie.” Still, those are the same implementations that offer assistance and resources to people like the Texas Governor, who has been wheelchair-bound since 1984 when he was paralyzed after a tree fell on him during a run, severely damaging his spinal card.
“I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition — I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable,” wrote Crockett in a post shared to social media following a string of criticism both online and via mainstream media for her comments. “Literally, the next line I said was that he was a ‘hot a– Mess,’ referencing his terrible policies.
“At no point did I mention or allude to his condition,” she continued. “So, I’m even more appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump — a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities — are now outraged.”
The outrage for Crockett shows how Black women are allowed to only do things that fit into the realm of what others expect us to be.
Prime example – Crockett was praised when she told Elon Musk to “f–k off,” yet, she took things too far when she gave Abbott a taste of his own medicine, spewing insults and mockery to disadvantaged people.
Whether you agree with her comments or not, or think that she took things too far, the only question that remains is — Why are Black women always expected to go high when they go low?
We love Former Lady Michelle Obama over here, but her line during the 2016 Democratic National Convention might’ve done more harm than good because people from both parties, Democratic and Republican, had negative things to say when she didn’t show up for this year’s presidential Inauguration.
We’re tired of this expectation to always turn the other cheek when it’s essentially always “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
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