Never one to mince words, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) gave a stirring speech condemning the alt-right and reclaiming her time as she accepted the Social Humanitarian Award at BET’s Black Girls Rock award show Tuesday night.
Calling out the “alt-right haters,” Waters spoke powerfully about the self-doubt critics tried to project on her throughout her years in office as a politician fighting for equity, equality and justice.
“They would have me believe I’m too Black, too confrontational, I’m too tough and I’m too disrespectful of them,” she said to the crowd of Black women and girls. “But now, I know I’m simply a strong Black woman.”
She continued, assuring the crowd that they too could speak truth to power, as she has done in her storied career as a Congresswoman.
“I am you and you are me. We have power, we have influence, we can do things others have told us we can’t do. I don’t care how big you are, I don’t care how high you think you are. If you come for me I’m coming for you.”
And of course, always vocal about President Donald Trump, she ended with a her now-familiar rallying call.
“Not only will we resist you, we will impeach you Mr. President!”
Watch Waters’ full speech above and prepared to be inspired.