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Taraji P. Henson questions why some men ‘uncomfortable’ with strong women

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Taraji P. Henson doesn’t understand why some men are “uncomfortable” around powerful women.

Published

5 years ago

January 24, 2019

Oakland Post

By Rollingout.com

Taraji P. Henson doesn’t understand why some men are “uncomfortable” around powerful women.

The 48-year-old actress has said it baffles her that some men seem to be put off by strong females because she believes they will only help to make the men “look better,” as they won’t “crumble” when someone makes a “sexist joke.”

She said: “I don’t know why [they’re uncomfortable]. We’re only gonna make you look better. My mouth is just as crass. You can’t crumble me with a sexist joke. If anything, I’m waiting for you to say something so I can check your a–.”

The “Empire” star has long been passionate about creating roles for women in Hollywood, especially roles for actresses of color, and says she always refused to accept the idea that there wasn’t enough room for multiple Black actresses to be successful.

She added: “There was only one role for all of us Black women when I came to Hollywood. But I always saw enough work for everyone. I never thought I was fighting. You create your own job. That’s how I was raised.”

Henson was infamously paid less than her co-stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008 — which she revealed eight years later in 2016 — and says that even despite the widely known scandal, she still gets offered low fees.

Speaking to NET-A-PORTER’s weekly digital magazine PorterEdit about her pay on the movie, she said: “I didn’t even ask for $1 million. But I had to see the bigger picture and bite that bullet. I knew that if I kept my ego in check I would get the victory. That performance was undeniable. I turned in an Academy-worthy f—ing performance. And what did they say? ‘We shoulda paid her.’

“‘They wanna pay what? Honey, a zero is missing. Tell them to go find it, then call me back.’ If you come to Taraji P. Henson, you need to come with that money because I earned it.”

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.