Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., might’ve made some of the most cringe-worthy remarks of all-time on Friday — and video of her has quickly gone viral.
It has liberals calling her racist and vowing to never vote for the New York socialist again.
But it wasn’t what she said — it was how she said it.
Ocasio-Cortez grabbed the microphone at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network convention on Friday, in front of a predominately African-American crowd. Once she started speaking, it was clear she’d put on a fake accent that no one had ever heard from her before.
“This is what organizing looks liiike,” she said in the incredibly fake accent. “This is what building power looks liiike. This is what changing the country looks liiike.”
And it kept changing. During the speech, her Gs dropped entirely and one would have thought she was the second coming of Rosa Parks. It had social media users calling out Ocasio-Cortez for a shallow attempt at pandering to the African-American voter base.
The New York socialist went on to talk about how she was proud to have been a bartender in her years before serving Congress.
She insinuated that labor jobs were the only jobs African-Americans were capable of — and even worse — that that’s just fine by African-American standards.
“I’m proud to be a bartender. Ain’t nothing wrong with that,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the fake accent. “There’s nothing wrong with working retail, folding clothes for other people to buy. There is nothing wrong with preparing the food that your neighbors will eat. There is nothing wrong with driving the buses that take your family to work.”
Her performance reminded many of Hillary Clinton, who once said: “I don’t feel no ways tired.”
…yikes.
BlazeTV had a little fun with Ocasio-Cortez’ blunder, posting a comparison of her to Hillary:
Who did it better – Alexandria "this is what changing the country looks like" Ocasio-Cortez or Hillary "I don't feel no ways tired" Clinton?
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/QasQH9AHWS
— BlazeTV (@BlazeTV) April 5, 2019
After the backlash Ocasio-Cortez tried to double down on the delivery of her remarks, referring to something called “code-switching,” in which minorities apparently switch accents and tones.
She even went as far as turning the conversation to workplace professionalism, an easy way to cower away from the real issue.
Folks talking about my voice can step right off. Women’s March & Kavanaugh speech, same.
Any kid who grew up in a distinct linguistic culture & had to learn to navigate class enviros at school/work knows what’s up.
My Spanish is the same way.
These conspiracy mills are 🚮. https://t.co/8li33Jd6DL
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 5, 2019
As much as the right wants to distort & deflect, I am from the Bronx. I act & talk like it, *especially* when I’m fired up and especially when I’m home.
It is so hurtful to see how every aspect of my life is weaponized against me, yet somehow asserted as false at the same time.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 5, 2019
More than a few folks weren’t having it.
African-American leaders around the country condemned Ocasio-Cortez, calling out her behavior as racist.
Hey, @AOC I wore the vest because CBP told me to but, what’s your excuse for talking like this?! #WedontTalkLikeThat https://t.co/4i5qQLNbNZ
— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) April 5, 2019
Don’t you even try it.
Where was that “Bronx” accent when you were on 60 minutes talking to @andersoncooper like you were a six year old little girl? Your Christine Blasey Ford “accent” is my personal favorite.
STOP PANDERING TO BLACKS, @AOC!
WE SPEAK ENGLISH TOO. https://t.co/WYJED6zZzV— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 6, 2019
You are not black. Stop the cultural misappropriation AOC. #swidt https://t.co/5gt0JGQiWK
— Stacy Washington (@StacyOnTheRight) April 6, 2019
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is speaking in front of a predominately Black audience, and she is using this weird “Ebonics” accent in her voice.
She damn near sounds like Diamond & Silk#lol
I’m surprised she didn’t end her speech with “can you jive turkeys dig it”.
😂 pic.twitter.com/SxNfXrpOEJ— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) April 6, 2019
Coming from New York City, Ocasio-Cortez ought to know better than that.
The voters in her borough shouldn’t forget it next election cycle, either.
You can watch the entire cringeworthy video here:
.@AOC: "I'm proud to be a bartender. Ain't nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with working retail, folding clothes for other people to buy. There is nothing wrong with preparing the food that your neighbors will eat." pic.twitter.com/4uveYJNqVj
— The Hill (@thehill) April 5, 2019
The Horn editorial team