Houston activists Quanell X and Dr. Candice Matthews, are going viral after pulling up inside a Texas courthouse to confront attorney Michael M. Phillips, who was sanctioned by a judge after allegedly repeatedly using the N-word with a hard “R” during a child custody trial.
Now social media is applauding the duo for standing ten toes down and demanding accountability.
The explosive confrontation happened inside the Brazoria County Courthouse in Angleton, Texas, where Quanell X and Dr. Matthews came face-to-face with Phillips just days after a judge held him in contempt over his alleged conduct during trial proceedings.
And baby… they did not come to play.
“WE WILL NEVER ALLOW OUR WOMEN TO BE DISRESPECTED”
Video of the confrontation has now spread across social media and beyond, showing the activists publicly pressing Phillips over allegations he repeatedly used the racial slur during a custody modification case involving Black attorney Brenda DeRouen.
According to reports and court records, the incident happened during a heated family court trial inside the 300th District Court under Judge Chad D. Bradshaw.
DeRouen later accused Phillips of repeatedly using the slur in a degrading and taunting manner that served no legitimate legal purpose.
Judge Bradshaw reportedly warned Phillips multiple times before eventually holding him in direct contempt of court.
But for Quanell X and Dr. Matthews, a courtroom sanction clearly was not enough.
In the now-viral footage, Dr. Matthews loudly identifies Phillips while mocking his alleged courtroom behavior.
“Mr. n—a, n—a, n—a right here,” she says while recording.
Moments later, Quanell X stepped directly into the attorney’s face and and told him:
“I dare you to do it,” Quanell X said. “I swear to God, I’ll make you taste the ancestors.”
The Houston activist then defended Black women in the legal profession, accusing Phillips of allegedly trying to intimidate Brenda DeRouen because she is a Black woman.
“We will never allow our women to be disrespected by any white men,” Quanell X said during the confrontation.
ATTORNEY HIT WITH CONTEMPT SANCTIONS
The controversy traces back to the custody trial where Phillips allegedly used the racial slur multiple times while arguing outside the presence of the jury.
Court records reportedly show Judge Bradshaw eventually finding Phillips in contempt and issuing sanctions that included:
- Three days in jail
- A $500 fine
- Mandatory written apologies to the court and attorney Brenda DeRouen
Both penalties were suspended on the condition Phillips submits the apologies by June 30, 2026.
Phillips has claimed he was referencing prior testimony and says he apologized afterward, but many argue there was absolutely no reason for the repeated use of the slur inside a courtroom — especially toward a Black female attorney.
