I turned down a really *really* great job this week; A show that I loved and an opportunity that would have taken my career to the next level. It sucks. I hate it. And it was the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career.

But, I’m a woman of color at the supervising producer level and I cannot abide being paid 1/4 of what I should be getting at my level. I worked too hard to get here. I’ve struggled through homelessness, racism, abuse just to have a seat at the table.

As an underrepresented writer, as a woman, as a POC, when we enter this business, we’re almost conditioned to “just be grateful.” Just be glad you’re in the room. Just be thankful for the opportunity. My gratitude never changes.

I’m so blessed and lucky to make a living out of my dream. But, at what point do we get to stop “just being grateful?” At what point have we paid enough dues?

When do we get to walk into a room and know that we’re valued, not just b/c we’re there, not just b/c we got the offer, but b/c the numbers reflect our worth?

It feels like a blow, and I’ll work my way through it, but if we don’t see the value in ourselves, in the work that we do, in the things we bring to that table, no one else will. And we’ll still just be “grateful for the opportunity.”