Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, shared a personal experience of racial discrimination, detailing an incident at the Capitol where she was allegedly stopped from entering a members-only elevator by a White man. The congressman, currently a U.S. Senate candidate in California, discussed the encounter during a CNN interview, adding a personal dimension to the ongoing national debate on racism in America.
Lee, responding to Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s statement that the United States has “never been a racist country,” recounted her own encounter with racism. She described an incident where a White man blocked her access to the elevator reserved for Congress members, questioning her membership and accusing her of stealing her membership pin.
“This is an example of what personal racism is and how people of color constantly have to deal with this each and every day,” Lee told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. She added that systemic racism is ingrained in the country’s policies, criticizing efforts to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
The incident, for which Lee did not specify a date, involved the man demanding to know whose pin she had allegedly stolen, despite her showing him her Congressional pin. Lee used this story to illustrate the persistent issue of racism in American society, both on a systemic and individual level.
Lee also remarked that Haley’s view on U.S. racism is “clueless” and “dangerous,” arguing that Haley fails to recognize the deep-rooted nature of racism in the country. Her story adds to the larger conversation on race and discrimination in the United States, highlighting the experiences of people of color in high-ranking positions.
Barbara Lee has been serving in the House of Representatives since 1998 and is one of its longest-tenured members. She is currently vying for a Senate seat, competing with fellow California Democrats Adam Schiff and Katie Porter for the position once held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Haley’s comments on racism have sparked substantial backlash and discussion, with Vice President Kamala Harris also weighing in on the matter, calling it “unfortunate” that some people deny or overlook America’s racist past.