U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning speech on the House floor last week has been called “a comeback for the ages,” “the most important feminist speech in a generation” and “a lesson in sexism and decency.”
I just call it “truth.”
Responding to an incident on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in which Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida verbally assaulted her — including calling her a “f—ing bitch” — Ocasio-Cortez noted that “this is not new, and that is the problem.”
“This issue is not about one incident,” she said. “It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting of violence and violent language against women, and an entire structure of power that supports that.”
As I listened to her 10-minute address on the House floor, I was struck by how often it referenced Catholic values.
Ocasio-Cortez repeatedly railed against the “dehumanizing” of others and instead called for treating people with dignity and respect. These are themes often repeated by Pope Francis, who has specifically cautioned about gossip and urged the use of respectful language, saying “it is possible to kill someone with the tongue.”
The Democratic congresswoman who represents New York’s 14th District also universalized the need to treat all people with dignity and respect, noting that Yoho’s behavior gave “permission to other men to do that to his daughters.”
“I’m here to say that is not acceptable,” she said.
Ocasio-Cortez was unimpressed by Yoho’s so-called apology on the House floor the day before, in which he insisted he did not use the sexist slur (despite a reporter witnessing it) and said, “I cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family and my country.”
Instead, the congresswoman gave what sounded like a pretty good description of what goes on in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “When a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize. Not to save face, not to win a vote, he apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm done so that we can all move on.”
Perhaps such Catholic references are not surprising, since the rock-star millennial leader of the left grew up Catholic and even wrote about how her faith influences her views on public policies such as mass incarceration, for a Catholic magazine.
But there is another Catholic character in this drama: Republican Rep. Yoho, who describes himself as “pro-life” and has received an “A” rating from the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, which notes that he “has voted consistently to protect the lives of the unborn” and “defended the Trump administration’s pro-life regulatory efforts from pro-abortion attacks to prohibit their implementation.” He also has received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.
Yoho voted for Trump’s tax cuts in 2017 and this year was one of four lawmakers to vote against a bill to make lynching a federal hate crime.
Ocasio-Cortez, as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, promotes a much more progressive platform; her first piece of legislation was the Green New Deal, which addressed economic disparity and climate change.
Yoho, 65, will retire in January, after announcing he is not seeking a fifth term. Ocasio-Cortez is 30 (“two years younger than Mr. Yoho’s youngest daughter,” she pointed out in her speech).
As a young Latina, Ocasio-Cortez represents the demographic future of the Catholic Church.
But — if there is to be a future for the Catholic Church in the United States — it must also resemble Ocasio-Cortez in her passion for justice and human dignity, and in her courage and integrity, even in the face of vulgar attacks.
Speaking of young people, it is that time of year when we sadly say goodbye to the Bertelsen editorial interns we have worked with for the past year at NCR. The duo leaving at the end of July were our first “virtual” interns — and that was before coronavirus! They have been of great assistance to us, while doing journalism any young professional could be proud of.
Sarah Salvadore, who reported from New Jersey, is a detailed, meticulous researcher, as evidenced by her in-depth look at the downsides of health care sharing ministries. She will be joining Patch Media as a field editor next month.
Washington, D.C.-based Jesse Remedios, who actually completed his yearlong internship in January and was subsequently promoted to staff writer for EarthBeat, has graced both publications with his multimedia skills, including this award-winning three-part “Trials of Nonviolence” podcast about the Kings Bay Plowshares. He will begin graduate studies in journalism at Boston University in September.
We also welcome two new interns this month — again virtually. Madeleine Davison grew up reading NCR thanks to her father’s involvement in the Kansas City Catholic Worker. She graduated from Syracuse University, where she studied newspaper/online journalism and ran cross country. She is especially interested in data journalism and recently relocated from Pittsburgh to the Chicago area.
Lucy Grindon joins us from the Pacific time zone, reporting from the Los Angeles area. She graduated last year from Middlebury College in Vermont, where she majored in history and minored in Arabic. She also was an opinion editor of the campus newspaper and hosted a show on the campus radio station. Since the pandemic, she has worked for her parish, helping produce a podcast with weekly liturgy and parishioner interviews.*
[Heidi Schlumpf is NCR executive editor. Her email is hschlumpf@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter: @HeidiSchlumpf.]
*Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to clarify Lucy’s work with her parish and her role on the campus newspaper.
816104 120389You created some decent points there. I looked on the net for any issue and discovered most individuals goes in addition to with all your website. 896707
119933 718583Can you give me some ideas for piece of software writing? 306266
762111 420231I like this weblog so a lot, saved to my bookmarks . 680088
453705 270099Its truly a cool and helpful piece of info. Im glad that you basically shared this useful details with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing. 843562
43541 166157Taylor Lautner By the way you may want to check out this cool site I found 250130
373156 556560When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I purchase four emails sticking with the same comment. Maybe there is by any means you may get rid of me from that service? Thanks! 682142
844494 211491I genuinely prize your work , Fantastic post. 848652
820517 361388I like this site quite much so much outstanding information. 903797
812751 724423Should tow line this caravan together with van trailer home your entire family quick get exposed to the issues along with reversing create tight placement. awnings 5678
986530 557863Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall appear of your internet site is fantastic, let alone the content! 238989
157167 284054An really fascinating go via, I could not concur entirely, nevertheless you do make some really legitimate factors. 568259
864749 364600Spot up for this write-up, I truly feel this exceptional web site requirements a great deal more consideration. Ill far more likely be once once again to read considerably a lot more, thank you that details. 357533
933947 89384I genuinely enjoy looking at on this website , it has fantastic content . 629983
256330 254932How much of an significant content material, maintain on penning significant other 896363
434787 398220Ive applied the valuable points from this page and I can undoubtedly tell that it gives lots of assistance with my present jobs. I would be really pleased to maintain obtaining back in this web page. Thank you. 744922
697802 129948Sweet web site , super pattern , rattling clean and use friendly . 830260
794977 587876I very happy to find this internet site on bing, just what I was looking for : D too bookmarked . 766117
618459 679380Hey there! Great post! Please when all could see a follow up! 584912
When someonhe wites aan articloe he/she retains tthe thought of a user in his/her mind that hoow a
usrr caan kow it. Theregore that’s why this article iss perfect.
Thanks!
Oh myy goodness! Incredile articlpe dude! Thank yyou soo much, Howevedr I amm gling thhrough difficulties witgh your RSS.
I don’t understand whhy I cannot join it. Is
there anybodxy getting iddntical RSS issues? Anyone that
knows the solution cann yoou kidly respond? Thanks!!
82182 816011I like this internet web site because so considerably utile stuff on here : D. 691301
100589 381951You produced some decent points there. I looked on the internet for that concern and located most individuals will go together with with the web site. 227930
A Group Buy SEO Tools has been a game-changer for my digital strategy!
Affordable access to top-quality tools has transformed the way I analyze and optimize.
The cost-sharing arrangement is excellent making the top SEO tools readily available to anyone.
We highly recommend this to anyone keen to boost their
online presence without paying the expensive
cost!
163820 848116Sweet website, super style and design , genuinely clean and use friendly . 509841
726676 755919I discovered your blog web site on google and verify several of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the superb operate. I merely extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking for forward to reading extra from you in a while! 452446