This is a familiar complaint for female associates in my anecdotal experiences. For example, there was an associate who would assign projects to summer associates and always give them bad reviews. Of course the associate was a woman. I have heard similar experiences from associates of color, and I believe my own experience supports this.
Perhaps this is because of the socialization pressures that exist for female partners, and how hard a woman had to have worked to become a partner. But, perhaps there is another factor at play. The fact that formerly oppressed individuals tend to be the worst oppressors.
This thought came to my mind after elections, and after hearing that the blame for the passing of Proposition 8 in California is being placed on homophobic black voters. Minority groups tend to try harder to blend, and be even more oppressive to those who do not fit into the stereotypical views of the majority. Minority groups also tend to be slower to change, and more religious (mostly Christian). It protects visions of community. It also causes homophobic beliefs to thrive in a higher proportion than within the general population.
I feel that, sadly, much of this blame is honest, because it is the same factor present for why female managers had such a bad rap among female employees (and even male employees) in the late eighties/early nineties. It is why when groups that have lacked power obtain it, there is often a blood bath. I think it is difficult to forget the painful experience of obtaining power, or even being viewed as human and respected, and the urge to make someone else pay just like you have must be overwhelming.
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