When Privilege Cracks: White Women Over 50 Face the Bias Black Women Know All Too Well
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Gregg Wallace, a UK TV presenter and former MasterChef judge, recently stirred up controversy when he claimed that harassment allegations against him were rooted in ageism, specifically targeting “women of a certain age.” Cue the outrage.
White women—particularly those over 50—have taken to social media to express their fury, calling his remarks sexist, reductive, and unfair. And while their indignation is understandable, this moment serves as a poignant (and dare I say ironic) reminder of the realities Black women have long faced in the workplace.
Let’s talk about it.
What Did Gregg Say?
In an Instagram video, Wallace dismissed allegations of inappropriate behavior by suggesting they stemmed from his interactions with women over a certain age. His phrasing implied that these women were more likely to “take offense” or misinterpret his actions. In essence, he painted older women as fragile, overly sensitive, and potentially vindictive. Predictably, this didn’t sit well. He did later see the error of his ways and issued an apology for his comment, but we all know it was far too late for that.
White women, particularly those in the demographic he singled out, were quick to call foul. They highlighted how Wallace’s comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reflect the broader issue of sexism older women face in professional spaces. The ensuing conversations, comments from the targeted demographic have been interesting to read or listen to.
The commenters aren't wrong. But for me the kicker is that this kind of dismissive, reductive stereotyping is a daily reality for Black women of all ages in the workplace—and has been for generations.
Welcome to the Club, Karen
For Black women, being misunderstood, dismissed, or outright penalized for how we show up in professional spaces isn’t a shock to the system. It’s Tuesday.
When a Black woman asserts herself, she’s “aggressive.” When she excels, she’s “intimidating.” When she sets boundaries, she’s “difficult.” This trifecta of stereotypes—the Angry Black Woman, the Overachiever, and the Problem Employee—has long been the lens through which our actions are judged. And, like clockwork, these biases can lead to exclusion, harassment claims, or worse.
So when I see white women in uproar because Gregg Wallace dared to diminish them, I can’t help but think: “Now you know how it feels to walk a mile in our sensible block heels.”
Ageism vs. Racism: Different Names, Similar Games
Ageism is real, especially for women. Society prizes youth, and as women age, their value—both perceived and professional—often diminishes. But racism, layered on top of sexism, is a whole other beast.
The difference? Black women don’t get to “age out” of systemic discrimination. We don’t have the luxury of assuming that one day, society might grant us a little more grace or respect. If anything, the intersection of racism and sexism compounds over time, creating a lifelong uphill battle.
White women over 50 are discovering what it feels like to be stereotyped in ways that limit their autonomy and humanity. For them, it’s an awakening. For us, it’s life.
So, What Can We Learn From This?
First, let’s acknowledge the reality of what older white women are facing. Gregg Wallace’s comments are a stark reminder that bias doesn’t play favorites. Everyone, at some point, becomes vulnerable to the prejudices of others.
But for those newly experiencing these challenges, this is an opportunity to reflect on how bias operates across different axes of identity. If you’re outraged about being dismissed as a white woman over 50, ask yourself: Have I been complicit in dismissing or ignoring the struggles of Black women?
Because here’s the tea: the fight for equity isn’t a zero-sum game. Calling out Gregg Wallace (and anyone else who diminishes others) should be part of a broader commitment to dismantling all forms of discrimination—whether it’s rooted in age, race, or gender.
The Bottom Line
Gregg Wallace may have struck a nerve, but his comments have sparked an important conversation. As white women push back against ageism, it’s essential they recognize that this struggle doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Black women have been dealing with workplace bias for decades, and the parallels are undeniable.
So, to my white sisters of a certain age: welcome to the fight. But remember, some of us have been on the frontlines for a long time. If you’re serious about dismantling bias, make sure your outrage doesn’t stop at the experiences that affect you. There’s plenty of room on the battlefield—and trust me, we could use the backup.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share in the comments.
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The Blue Petra - Caution Fellow Seafarers! We're Setting Sail!
1wThank you for making this a message about how we can all come together and not another piece about how the old white woman deserves it. Hate always begets more hate but love is what unites us. I appreciate you. I might have left out the "Karen" reference though. Blessings!
Programme / Project Manager Lead
3wExcellent point made Janice had the same conversation with some close friends. Need to continue to call out this behaviour and hopefully it will be accepted rather than us always have to prove that it happened to us.
Fractional Chief Sales Strategy & Training Officer | Founder of TTC Companies: Fractional Executives Network | Telecom Training Corp. | Contract Trainers Corp. | Strategic Sales Advisors | Caribbean Business Consultants
3wInsightful!
Global HR Director Engineering Services, Innovation, Business Transformation & HSE Kindness is my first language 🖤
3wWhilst reading through tonnes of posts from very upset ( and rightly so) women of a certain class and age + allies, I’ve been thinking about what you termed as - a great lot of space on the battlefield! We should not be divided in the battle against misogyny (add noir for my sisters ), ageism, or any other negative isms for that matter - But wait a minute, the reality is, we must call out these type of comments and behavior right across society not only put our heads above the parapet when it’s a famous person.
Director @ Spoizer Content & Agency Limited | Finance| Innovation| Strategy
3wI agree