Originally published March 2018. Update: Vangie Williams Wins Historic Democratic Primary in Virginia.

Vangie Williams for Congress – 1st District Virginia

I’m going to tell you what I’ve heard in the district.

We don’t want any more White guys. We don’t want any more old guys.

The good ol’ boy system has to end. And right now, I have been working in the good ol’ boy system and I have been breaking down barriers for years.

And it’s time our daughters, our nieces, our aunts, and even our young men who are coming out have a chance to grow in this district.

WATCH:

Vangie Williams is a Black woman running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st District.

Vangie Williams is a Black woman running for Congress in a red district against all male, mostly White candidates.

When A Woman’s Words Are Taken Out of Context

The words “NO MORE WHITE GUYS” caused a stir in a room of mostly White people recently when it came from the mouth of Vangie Williams during a Democratic forum as she was speaking for the people in the 1st District of Virginia.

Why? The truth about racism and sexism is hard for White people and men to hear and accept, especially when it’s coming from a Black woman. It makes them uncomfortable.

It’s past  time for White people and men to get uncomfortable and work on getting real so that necessary change can begin to happen worldwide. If you can’t get past being uncomfortable and accept the truth, you are not ready to be in office. Women, POC, people with disabilities, and people who are LGBTQ+ of all ages have been made to feel uncomfortable and inadequate for generations because of the lie called White supremacy.

5…4…3…2…Your Time Is Up!

And just like the #MeToo movement is saying #TimesUp to rampant sexual assault and harassment (which are also products of White supremacy), statements like NO MORE WHITE GUYS or NO MORE OLD GUYS being elected also speaks to ending White supremacy. There are many layers of White supremacy and it has ruined the world. Like Vangie said in the above video, “you know what I mean.” To act as if her words are offensive, out of line, or racist ignores the issues and quite frankly it’s White supremacy at work.

That’s not to say that White men are not needed or wanted in the fight for change but we must have diversity in our leadership. Everyone needs to be represented and have a voice. A room full of White men (young or old) cannot make real change to a system of White supremacy.

In this exclusive interview with Black Girls Allowed Vangie talks about the problem with White supremacy and the patriarchy, why a vote cast for her is the best choice, and common sense for the common good.

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Dangerous Lee Talk Politics with Vangie Williams

Tell us exactly what it means to have a seat in Congress and why it’s important to fill more of those seats with women, POC, people with disabilities, and people who are LGTBQ+?

For a democracy to be truly representative, those in leadership positions should look like the people they represent. That means we should have relative parity when it comes to the demographics of our leaders at all levels of government. While such representative parity would hardly guarantee good government in and of itself, it would give voice to more perspectives which, I believe, would lead to better policy decisions and legislative initiatives. I also believe that it would, over time, lead to more citizen participation in our communities as a sense of inclusion and enfranchisement would attract more people to the cause of good government.

Are you the first Black woman to run for Congress in Virginia?

If you win the congressional seat, you will make history by being the first Black woman to do so. When you think about the future and sitting in a room full of mostly White men, is there anything about that picture that makes you anxious, excited, hopeful?

First, I want to set the record straight and give credit where credit is due. State Senator Louise Lucas was the first Black woman to run for Congress in Virginia in 2001. Unfortunately, she did not win. I am, however, proud to say that Sen. Lucas has endorsed me and has become a friend of mine.

Second, as a Senior Program Control Principal/Strategic Planner, I am often the only woman – and very often the only person of color – in the boardroom or even working on a given program or project. I have grown accustomed to being in that position because I am confident in my ability to perform given the skill set I have worked hard to acquire. That’s why I view a congressional career not with anxiety, but with hope and excitement. Hopeful that I can help guide our nation through tough times and excited to have a seat at the table with other women, people of color and those in the LBGTQ communities to make a difference for all Americans.

I want to break the chains, crash through the glass ceiling and create the stairs leading up for the more women.

Are there any Black men currently running for Congress in the 1st district? Have there ever been?

Currently, there aren’t any Black men running in the 1st District for Congress. But in 2000, Rev. Lawrence Davies, the mayor of Fredericksburg, VA, ran for Congress in the 1st District.

My 16-year-old daughter while watching me put your piece together asked me who you were. When I explained who you were and where you lived she said, “Oh boy, they’re a mess in Virginia. They didn’t desegregate schools until the 70’s!” What are some major issues in Virginia that can be seen as a “mess” today?

I think it would be a mistake to characterize Virginia as being a mess based on what our state was like 40 years ago. Democrats, have twice consecutively swept the executive branch elections, made huge gains in our state house, voted for President Obama twice and Hillary Clinton in 2016. Furthermore, we’re one of the few states in the union with two Democratic senators on Capitol Hill. We have done a lot of hard work and come a long way in The Old Dominion.

With that said, Virginia, like all states, does have problems. Like almost everywhere in America, we still struggle with race relations. What makes Virginia’s struggle more difficult is that our history goes back 400 years. The remnants of our history still cast long shadows across our ever-brightening horizon.

Virginia struggles with socioeconomic inequality. The northern and urban portions of the state are centers for digital innovation and high finance while more remote and rural areas have limited access to information technology, capital and all the things that come with those things like quality schools and even basic healthcare facilities.

As someone running for Congress in a regionally disparate district, I am going to fight to close those gaps and find ways to promote equality and prosperity regardless of geographic location.

You shared a video from a recent primary event that shows a competitor (John Studdarth), a White man, overlooking your education and experience by using stereotypical compliments like “well-spoken” and “the prettiest candidate” to describe you after describing each of the other candidates ( White men) as “experienced” and “intelligent”. The audience erupted in laughter at his words. His description of you, and quite frankly the other candidates alone says to me that he’s not the right person for the job.

Take us to that moment. What was your reaction or feeling as you sat in the audience? Explain why his description of you is a problem.

My reaction was disappointment. Out of the four candidates speaking at that event, I am the most educated. I am the most experienced. And without question, I am the most qualified. I hold four degrees, and I am currently finalizing my Doctorate in Business Administration. I have been a strategic planner for 25 years working on the toughest programs and projects for our government. I get called in when everyone else says a problem can’t be solved.

For example, when Space Shuttle Columbia crashed over Texas, it was my job to get the space flight program back on track after the conclusion of the investigation.

The host of the primary event, before introducing the candidates and asking you all the same question – ‘What makes you the best candidate to represent us?’, spoke the words, “We’re all Democrats, we’re all progressive, and we all generally want the same thing.” Being a progressive politician means that you don’t dismiss a woman’s achievements or refer to her physical appearance as an advantage.

Micro-aggressions like these are not seen as a red flag by and large. What do you have to say about the sexism, toxic masculinity, and patriarchy of it all under a system of White supremacy?

During the course of this campaign, I have learned a lot about people and their self-identified spot on the political spectrum. After being at this for over a year, I have become acutely aware that many people often incorrectly label themselves as being ‘this’ or ‘that’. There are people who have liberal views who also have mental hard-wiring based on traditional views and attitudes (both good a bad, depending on your perspective). These people are quick to (incorrectly) embrace the “progressive” label and, unfortunately, bash others over the head with it. These are the same people who are most likely to demand some type of ideological purity from candidates while still judging them with a pretty apparent set of biases. These biases run the full gamut from sexism and racism to chauvinism and patriarchy.

When you get down to it, there is nothing I can directly do about this as a candidate. Moreover, I don’t want to live in a society which mandates – or even legislates – the adherence to a strict code of personal attitudes and beliefs. When that happens, society often experiences the exact opposite effect – the entrenchment of negative attitudes and stereotypes. Instead, I believe the way to change these attitudes is through patience and leadership. By sending a constant and consistent message that we, as individuals, deserve to be judged solely on the content of our character and nothing else, things will change eventually.

Honestly, this is why I try to steer clear of labels of any kind. I do have a progressive and accepting outlook on life. And, yes, I do have some liberal stances on some issues. But at the same time, I am more conservative on fiscal issues than is the Republican incumbent. I am hoping to be someday a leader in a post-label world that values perspective over labels and slogans.

Why should people living outside of Virginia support your campaign?

Although I will be representing the 1st District of Virginia in the House of Representatives, there is no boundary to the votes I will be casting. My vote will affect all Americans, not just the people of the 1st District.

Why should people living in Virginia’s 1st district cast their vote for you?

As a strategic planner working in the highest levels of government, on the one hand, I see the dysfunction, waste, fraud, and abuse in government. On the other hand, I see the very real struggle hardworking families go through every day in the 1st District. I know what it’s like because I have been through them myself. I am uniquely positioned to step in and do something about these situations. Because if you work hard and play by the rules, you shouldn’t have the system rigged against you. And for most hardworking families in the 1st District, it is.

You see, I’m not running to be the liberal congresswoman or the conservative congresswoman. I am running to be the PEOPLE’S CONGRESSWOMAN. I don’t care about the labels, and most everyone in the 1st District doesn’t care about the labels either. We want real representation that can get the job done. I’m the most experienced, the most qualified and, mark my words, I can and WILL get the job done for the people of the 1st District.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about voting because they feel like the system was not made for us to succeed or thrive?

I’m running to represent the entire 1st District, to make sure that every single person has a voice in Congress. I’m running because It has been a long time since the incumbent congressman has brought people together. Why should they vote for me? Because there have been bad decisions based on some very screwed up priorities, and to make things worse, we’ve allowed ourselves to become political hostages to ‘us’ and ‘them’.

I’m not running just to represent the people who vote for me. I will reach out to those who don’t vote for me, to those who don’t always agree with me, to those who feel like they have no voice and let them know that I will always listen and I will always care about their needs as well. There is so much that needs to be done in this country that even those who disagree about many things can find a few things on which to agree. Let’s find common ground and get to work.

Tell us why you chose the tagline, “Common Sense for the Common Good”:

All of us “normal” people who are out here in America living our lives, working our jobs and raising our kids have to make common sense decisions every single day to chart the best course forward for that day, that year or even for a lifetime. It’s time our government – at all levels – did that too. Right now illogical, irrational decisions are being made in Washington that benefit only a very small elite. That must stop. Now.

That’s why we need COMMON SENSE FOR THE COMMON GOOD!!!

Will you run again if you don’t win?

Yes. We have a movement to start in the country, and it’s going to start in the 1st District of Virginia.

Advice or suggestions for other Black women and Black men who want to make a career in politics?

Do it!!! Run!!! Get involved!!! When we run, we bring light to our community’s needs. When we run, we win. Know your neighborhood and your district. Become honestly active in your community so that people know you, your name and what you stand for politically and socially.

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