|  ![Omarosa Manigault Newman waits to promote her new book on]() "I don’t think I’ve ever met a black woman who didn’t keep everything.My great-grandmother’s tendency to hold on to receipts for over 20 years used to baffle me until I started to meet other black women like her. A family friend had receipts dating back decades stacked in her home. Two black women I interviewed for a story about air pollution in Orlando, Florida, both had dozens of documents detailing government-induced environmental racism.So it’s no surprise to me that Omarosa Manigault Newman, one of the more recent defectors from the Trump administration, kept detailed records — including audio recordings — of her time in the White House."
So begins HuffPost reporter Julia Craven's essay about Manigault Newman, who made headlines this week with the publication of her book,“Unhinged,” and the release of secret recordings she made during her tenure at the White House. We asked Craven about how she came to write this story.Talk to us about Omarosa. What is your impression of the media’s coverage?
It’s been pretty good so far. But it’s also been surface level, which is to be expected in an industry where you've got to get the news up fast. So I wanted to add a cultural depth to what I perceive to be a significant moment in American culture and politics.What inspired you to take this angle?
I was talking to friends about how Omarosa has her receipts. And how these white folks can’t play her or lie on her because she has evidence that she isn’t the one lying. She’s in control of her narrative and that’s something you see many black women do regardless of their politics. We know that we have to have our own backs because we aren’t afforded the benefit of doubt.
What do you hope readers are taking away from your story?
I hope they’re taking away more than this line: "It’s typical behavior. When you shake them white folks, they will come for your character, and when that doesn’t work, they will try to take everything from you.”I’ve gotten a lot of flak about it when it isn’t the point. The point, which I hope most people get, is that this country has taken many, many things from black folks for no good reason, and the receipts are how we protect ourselves from that. People like for black folks to be complicit, to be quiet — as you see in the “just play sports” backlash to football players who kneel during the national anthem. But Omarosa is running her mouth and she got 'em shook. That’s another part of the point. A black woman has a racist president and his administration is shook. P.S. Before you go be sure to read Craven's other articles on culture: HuffPost is now a part of Oath and a part of Verizon. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Oath Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More.The internet's best stories, and interviews with the people who tell them. Like what you see? Forward it to a friend. Or sign up! Can't get enough? Check out our Morning Email. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
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