Social media starts hashtag in support of CA Congresswoman criticized by Fox News

Byby Chris Nguyen KGO logo
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Social media starts hashtag in support of CA Congresswoman criticized by Fox News
Many women took to social media in defense of California Congresswoman Maxine Waters who was criticized about her hair by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly.

Many women took to social media in defense of California Congresswoman Maxine Waters who was criticized about her hair by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly.

Many people say they felt stunned when O'Reilly went on national television and said "I didn't hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James. It's the same."

O'Reilly was on Fox and Friends talking about the California Congresswoman. Waters responded later that day during an interview on MSNBC.

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"I'm a strong black woman, I cannot be intimidated, I cannot be undermined, I cannot be thought to be afraid of Bill O'Reilly or anybody. And I'd like to say this to women everywhere, don't allow these right wing talking heads to scare you or intimidate you.o, Be who you are. Do what you do," said

Some Bay Area residents are coming to Water's defence.

"As a younger generation, it's critical that we see those who have come before us, and who have a lot more experience, pushing back and fighting back, and sticking up for themselves in the way that she has," said Jackson Beard, the Student Body President at Stanford.

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The hashtag "Black women at work" started trending late Tuesday night.

Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer knocked a black reporter for shaking her head during a briefing, adding more fuel to the social media firestorm.

Many are now hoping that others can learn from these exchanges. "Maxine Waters is a powerful fighter not just for black women and not just for black people, and her standing up, empowers us all to stand up," said Regina Jackson, from the East Oakland Youth Development Center.