Gabrielle Union's America's Got Talent ouster shows it's sometimes necessary to be a "difficult" woman

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"The experience of being labeled 'difficult' for speaking up is familiar to almost all women," says Rachel Sklar, adding: "I’m willing to bet Gabrielle Union didn’t start out her gig at America’s Got Talent by being 'difficult.' (On the contrary, she brought her husband, basketball star Dwyane Wade, and his 15.1 million Instagram followers on as a guest judge!) But like many of us, she probably realized at some point that in a work atmosphere where a powerful colleague can keep smoking indoors despite your complaints, you’re not respected. And what are your options then? Will you be punished for speaking up about racism or transphobia? Or does your workplace have transparent systems by which such issues can be addressed? Of anyone, Union — with her three-year contract, her huge social following and known reputation for being vocal and righteous — should have been safe to bring her issues to the network. Anyone should have been, really. Instead, she was not only ignored; she was sold out."