'All Rise' Season 1: The ICE episode sparks discussion on women and their emotions at play during work
In this week's episode of 'All Rise', Lola is presiding over the trial of an undocumented immigrant who has been accused of attacking a security guard at a store even though there is video evidence showing that this did not happen. When a plainclothes ICE officer comes into Lola's courtroom - something that is not allowed in California, a sanctuary state - Lola kicks the man out and tries to rule the case in a way that will not send the undocumented man back to his country where he could face gross human rights violations. When his public defender Emily finds out that the store owner called ICE and falsified the accusation because the man was putting warning stickers on food (meat, baby formula) that expired, she gets angry and in an impassioned plea to Lola, asks the judge to move for a mistrial.
Many viewers have criticized this week's episode for "furthering liberal agenda" with its depiction of ICE and with the way Lola undermined the ICE agent. Many were even quick to point out that her emotions made her stand in the way of justice (of deporting an "illegal" immigrant). There was also Emily who was nearly moved to tears as she pled the man's case in court.
This is, of course, not new. Women have been always judged for showing emotions in the workplace. Comparisons have been drawn between the public treatments of many in politics and law, saying women always overreact at work - think of Brett Kavanaugh, Hilary Clinton, and so forth. There have been studies showing that women are often made to think they are "overly emotional" and how that meant that these women are passed over for leadership roles and promotions.
But some would argue that these emotions - especially empathy, make these women really good at what they do and the same can be argued for Lola and Emily. It's Lola's passion for justice and to do the right thing that gives the undocumented immigrant a chance to prove his innocence with respect to his accuser and a chance to seek asylum in the United States. It is Lola's anger that makes her stand up and argue on his behalf - what she is meant to do - and find any means necessary to help him in the way he needs.
Women being angry at the workplace is something that is often used to criticize them, when often, men are the same, if not worse. The best example for this, is, of course, Serena Willaims, although here racism comes into play as well. It has been done so many times in her case that Nike even made its viral "Dream Crazier" ad about women being emotional and how they are always winners. The ad featured Serena Williams, gymnast Simone Biles, snowboarder Chloe Kim, fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, and members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, among others. Williams narrates, "if we show emotion, we're called dramatic" at the beginning of the ad.
While many may be angry at this week's episode of 'All Rise', it serves as a strong reminder that empathy needs to be applied in your work - that is the way to be better people and Lola is determined to do that.
'All Rise' airs on CBS on Monday nights.