Oh Fani.

January 21, 2024

Another in a series of observations of life as I know it.

Sweet talking guy, talking sweet kinda lies. 

Don't you believe in him, if you do he'll make you cry
He'll send you flowers and paint the town with another girl
He's a sweet talkin' guy
But he's my kind of guy

Sweeter than sugar, kisses like wine
(Oh he's so fine)
Don't let him under your skin, cause you'll never win
(No you'll never win)
Don't give him love today, tomorrow he's on his way
He's a sweet talkin' guy
But he's my kind of guy

-The Chiffons

~~~~~

Recently, Georgia AG Fani Willis told an Atlanta church congregation how difficult her life had been of late. Lonely and isolated, dark and devoid of joy. All of which reflects the plight of strong women at the top of food chain. Women in power don’t have the luxury of whining. They have to suck it up and keep moving forward. Never complain and never explain.

Women in general have few role models to emulate. Black women, well, not so much. Do the job and execute it perfectly. Keep quiet. Make no mistakes. Because there will always be a white guy from Harvard ready to drop seamlessly into your leather desk chair. Keep your makeup flawless and low key. Sit with your legs at a dainty angle. You are always one perilous step from the typing pool. 

But, and there’s always that damned pause. Fani may or may not have made a blunder. With a fancy man, not yet divorced. A smooth talking ladies’ man, with snazzy tailoring and a penchant for the footlights. A Lothario with big eyes and a modestly decent resume. Fani fell for the oldest trick in the book. Attention and devotion cloaked in the crisp sheets of romantic dining and tropical island getaways. Being whisked off her beautiful (but professional) pumps, just for a day or two. Pillow talk. Languid lunches. Rest. And then the brain checks out. The body, in all its imperfect foolishness, kicks into overdrive. He pays for airline tickets. And even though his criminal trial experience is lightweight at best, she hands him the role (and salary) of lead prosecutor wrapped in scented tissue and heart printed ribbons. Oh Fani. Oh dear lord, Fani. This isn’t going to end well.

It is just plain truth that Fani Willis was on a determined flight path to the stratosphere. Possibly the US Attorney General. Georgia governor. Senator. Vice president. Hard work, diligence and sheer determination have been her conduit. No political favors or nepotism. No one gave her anything and she, in turn, expected nothing. She’s a one woman wrecking ball in polished skirt suits. Who for one inevitable second, let down her formidable fortress of self protection to a less talented colleague. A sweet talking guy. It’s an ancient tale of power gained and power lost. Of Eleanor of Aquitaine, wooed and then imprisoned by a charming but deadly king. Oh Fani. 

Clean up on Aisle 5!