In viral speech, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denounces "cultural" sexism in the United States

The speech marked the spirits. And is already bearing its first fruits. Thursday, July 23, the elected Democrat of the State of New York Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (nicknamed "AOC") reframed, in front of Congress, Ted Yoho, a Republican representative who had called her"fucking bitch", three days earlier, in front of a reporter from The Hill who then reported the comments.

The Republican had made an act of contrition Wednesday, in the hemicycle, for the "abrupt" tone adopted, while denying having insulted her. “Being married for 45 years and father of two daughters, I am very aware of my words,” he assured. But the elected Democrat, MP for the 14th district of New York, did not miss the opportunity to deliver a committed and feminist speech.

"Having a daughter does not make a man suitable. Having a wife does not make a man suitable. Treating people with dignity and respect is what makes a man suitable", launched the youngest of the Congress in front of their colleagues, speaking in the name of "all the women of Congress and all the women of the country".

“We've all had to deal with this situation in one way or another at some point in our lives,” she said. A former waitress, AOC remembers being confronted with such insults before. "I threw men out of bars who had used language like Mr. Yoho's and I encountered this type of harassment in the New York subway," she said.

Called a "fucking bitch" by a member of the US Congress who then "apologized" by citing his wife and daughters, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not let the opportunity pass to react. Here is his response. pic.twitter.com/q5gv9UEkag

Ted Yoho forced to resign from NGO

The video quickly made the rounds on social networks, causing reactions around the world. "I think this is the most feminist speech in decades," said Jennifer Lawless, professor of political science at the University of Virginia, on Tweeter, while a reporter from HuffPost spoke of the "most important feminist speech of his generation ".

The most important feminist speech in decades. . . https://t.co/UpW6OvO6i9

The Republican's exit has not gone unheeded. The non-partisan Christian NGO Bread for the World, which fights global hunger, said on Saturday it had requested and received the resignation of Ted Yoho, who was on its board of directors.

In a statement, the NGO declares to have demanded the resignation of the Republican at a meeting on Friday, to reaffirm his "commitment to supporting women and people of color, nationally and internationally, as they lead us towards a more inclusive and equitable world ".

"The recent actions of Ted Yoho, as reported in the media, do not reflect the ethical standards of the members of the board of directors", continues the NGO.

Bread for the World's statement on the resignation of Rep. Ted Yoho from its Board of Directors. https://t.co/dVEWREG8ai

"Culture of impunity"

In her speech, the Democrat also pointed to a "cultural problem". "It is a culture of impunity, of acceptance of violence and violent language against women," lamented the elected official. By listing various examples of verbal harassment - including the disrespectful remarks of the governor of Florida or the words of Donald Trump who had told him, last year, "to go home [her]" -,AOC has denounced a system that dehumanizes women.

She regrets that wives and daughters are used as a "shield" to justify this behavior. "I'm two years younger than Mr. Yoho's youngest daughter. I'm also someone's daughter. Fortunately, my father is no longer alive to see how Mr. Yoho has treated his daughter."

Trivialization of sexism 

Such an exit from a public figure trivializes contempt for women, AOC added. "It's giving permission to other men to do that to his daughters. He relented using that language to the press. He gave permission to use that language against his wife, his daughters, the women of community " , was the insurgent Democrat.

Finally, AOC underlined the lack of sincerity of Ted Yoho's apology. "When a decent man makes a mistake, as we all do, he does his best and apologizes, not to save face, not to win a vote. He sincerely apologizes to make amends and recognize the harm done so that we can all move forward. "

With AFP

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