Assertions

Mentor Assertion

Alexandra Ocasio Cortez gives a speech to the House Floor to discuss the sexist vulgarity that representative Ted Yoho used against her and the sexism against women in congress and across the nation. Alexandra explains what Yoho said to her while she was at the Capitol. “I was minding my own business, walking up the steps and Representative Yoho put his finger in my face, he called me disgusting, he called me crazy, he called me out of my mind, and he called me dangerous.” She then explains what happened as she walked out of the Capitol. “In front of reporters Representative Yoho called me, and I quote, “a f***ing b****.” These were the words that Representative Yoho levied against a congresswoman.” After expressing Yoho’s disgusting words used to refer to her to the House Floor, she then explained that his words were not deeply hurtful towards her because she has had a working-class job and has ridden the subway before. Alexandra then explained that the normalized vulgarity against women is nothing new. She then goes on talking about how the majority of the Republican party, including the President, has spoken to her and many other women in the exact same way. She then talks about Yoho went to the floor of House Representatives and made excuses for his behavior. She decided she had had enough and did not want the girls and women in the world to think that this behavior from men to women is okay. She expresses that having daughters or wives does not make a good man, as Yoho tried to use them as a shield to excuse his behavior. She concluded her speech by saying that treating people with dignity and respect is what makes a decent man. Alexandra Ocasio Cortez is not the first or last woman to be discriminated against in politics, but she is an inspiration to women across the nation. 

I chose AOC as a mentor for this because she is truly an inspiration to me. She is a very brave and powerful woman in my eyes, and she inspires me to be a better person. Reading this text about AOC and her standing up for herself and woman everywhere helped me realize that the political industry is a very cruel place to be for a woman and a woman of color at that, but it’s important to stand up for what you believe.