This post was co-written with David White, Guest Author
She (I) Said.
Fani Willis was the hot topic last Thursday during and following her testimony at the Georgia election tampering case hearing. Some of my friends, acquaintances, and I were tuned in to MSNBC or other TV channels broadcasting the proceedings and commenting among us via text, brief phone calls, and social media.
Most of us were in agreement that professional ethics and avoidance of any improprieties should have been the topmost priority in Fani’s mind relative to any court case, but especially one where the stakes are so high.
“What was she thinking?” was repeated so often it could have been a round in a song.
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Fani, don’t you realize that life is not a dream?
And now you are caught up in a nightmare. Girl, didn’t you think that any romantic or alleged romantic involvement with Nathan Wade, who you appointed as special prosecutor in the case, might raise some suspicion? (I like to flatter myself into believing that some public figures I write about read my posts, and occasionally, I get an unexpected response.)
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the District Attorney of Fulton County got high-fives for deportment because of her professional behavior on the stand. We liked how, with her head high and shoulders squared, she strolled into that courtroom like she owned the place.
The saying that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned could be rewritten in this case to imply that hell hath no fury like a woman who feels she is being used as a deflection. Regardless of the innuendoes, assumptions, and admissions, it is evident that the intent is to throw Fani and her team under the bus or, more precisely off the case, to delay proceedings.
I was happy to see that Fani did her homework. She didn’t waste any time waving court documents like she was fanning away flies as she lashed out at Ashleigh Merchant for lying in the filings. It was an Oscar-worthy performance of an angry black woman, but one who made her point while showing intelligence and class.
Regardless of the impropriety of the relationship with Mr. Wade, my buddies and I were cheering Fani on for standing her ground. As I said to one friend – she is no shrinking violet; she is a live wire. Anyone who comes to her had better come correct with their information.
I think some of the questions by the opposing team were improper and invasive, and at times, I found myself cringing, but Ms. Willis appeared cool under pressure and gave as good as she got. It was a heartwarming moment for me when Fani responded to a question from Merchant by saying, “I will not emasculate a black man.”
I was also elated when Fani’s dad, John Clifford Floyd III, a criminal defense attorney, took the stand on behalf of his daughter and turned to the judge before answering a question about Fani keeping sufficient cash in her home. He said, “I don’t mean to sound racist, but it’s a black thing.” Indeed it is. Every woman I know was taught to keep some cash on hand.
He (David) Said.
I first became familiar with Fani Willis when she was being interviewed about taking on the momentous task of prosecuting an American president on criminal charges. It was more than evident from her direct and unwavering manner that she felt she was up to the task. She spoke forcefully about her obligation to Georgia’s citizens to protect and observe their laws. From then until now, nothing has shaken my belief that the task is not too big for her.
As I watched the hearing Thursday, I identified with Fani as she suppressed what had to be an almost intolerable amount of indignation and rage over a concerted effort to impugn her character.
Growing up as a black child in the South, I recognized something that was also familiar to Fani. If she grew up like I did, she was taught from a very young age that she was as good as the next person and should never cede dignity or self-respect to other people.
I imagine her seething over the innuendos and intimations spewed by the opposing team. And when I saw the resolve on her face, I knew there would be fireworks! I’ve seen too many black women in my family, and others unrelated to me, wear that look of umbrage and indignation when offended. So, I identified with Fani and held my breath.
She is brilliant and professional, so I didn’t expect that there would be dicey words exchanged that could turn the event into a caricature of the Jerry Springer show. Still, I sometimes imagined Fani pulling off her earrings, kicking off her shoes, and taking a fighting stance.
She let Team We-Know-Who know she would not allow them to tarnish her reputation and drag her through the muck. She showed them that she could see through their tactics and clarified that she was not a “defendant” and was not on trial. I feel that it was essential that she laid out the dynamics, and she did it expertly.
She also reminded everyone that although she is a district attorney, she also has a personal life. She said there was no unethical intent in bringing on board a former boyfriend and reiterated that she and Wade were no longer an item when he joined her team.
There were obvious racial undertones implied in many of the questions. “What are you doing with that kind of cash on hand?” “You mean you can reimburse each other without receipts? What kind of a relationship is that?”
The more the opponents explored that premise, the less ground they gained and the more obvious it became that they were merely trying to discredit her and get her and the rest of her team removed from the case. If not for her forceful defense, it may have worked. Not because it was warranted but because, like so many other instances, those on the high ground cede to the bully because the bully complains loudly and raises too much of a stink. Sometimes, the competitor has to be smacked down! And that’s what I feel Ms. Willis did. She rendered a verbal smackdown. And I felt so proud that she did.