Ocasio Cortez Is Talking Southern Again May 2019
Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and member of the Usa Today board of contributors. Follow him on Twitter @RaulAReyes. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. View more opinions on CNN.
(CNN)The criticism never stops. On Friday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave a voice communication in New York City to the National Action Network, and her detractors pounced. A subsequent headline in the correct-leaning Washington Examiner noted, "AOC adopts Southern drawl to talk to black audience." The article noted that Ocasio-Cortez -- known these days by her moniker "AOC" -- exaggerated and drew out vowels in what the reporter termed "a distinct change from her usual pronunciation."
The implication hither is pretty unproblematic: that AOC is somehow inauthentic or a phony because she altered her speech slightly in addressing a group of black voters and civil rights leaders.
This latest line of assail against AOC is laughable. Code-switching, the do of adjusting ane's spoken communication or vocal patterns depending on the setting, is not the sectional province of politicians. Nor should it be the focal point of AOC's speech. This controversy simply shows how threatened some people experience by this freshman congressman, because they are willing to critique her for about anything.
Although it is a linguistic term, "code-switching" is something millions of Americans do regularly. It might mean reverting to your regional accent when you brand a visit back dwelling, or it can involve seamlessly switching between two languages, like when Latinos informally speak "Spanglish." People do it consciously and unconsciously, for a variety of reasons: to fit in with a group, to ingratiate themselves with others, or perchance because they are comfortable doing then.
To her credit, AOC was quick to clap back at her critics. "Folks talking about my vocalization tin pace right off," she tweeted. "Whatsoever kid who grew up in a distinct linguistic civilization & had to learn to navigate form enviros at school/work knows what's up. My Spanish is the same way."
AOC is certainly not the first politician to engage in code-switching. Reporters accept noted how Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz, for example, have adapted their natural speaking tone or voice to diverse audiences. Clinton was mocked for the way she spoke earlier a blackness audience in Selma, Alabama in 2007, while Cruz has been known to accept an on-again/off-again southern accent. That is not nefarious; that is politics. And the whole issue of "authenticity" is very much in the optics of the beholder. Barack Obama was seen by some on the right as a radical hush-hush Muslim, while other observers wondered if he was "black enough."
What is unique nearly the criticism directed at AOC is how strong and unceasing it is. She has become the villain of the right in record fourth dimension. And much of that criticism seems to be designed to obscure her actual bulletin. When AOC was speaking at the gathering in New York, she said, "I'm proud to be a bartender. Ain't nothing wrong with that... There is nothing incorrect with being a working person in the Usa of America." This is an empowering argument based on her lived experience. Just conservatives want to ignore AOC's idea that there is dignity in all work, then they lash out at her delivery, in this case, her code-switching.
So again, AOC is used to an extraordinarily high level of scrutiny, much of it personal. Commentators and lawmakers have criticized her upbringing, her clothes, her living situation, fifty-fifty the style she danced in an old video. AOC's reference to being proud of being a quondam bartender was in part a response to President Donald Trump's endeavor to dismiss her as "a wonderful young bartender."
Why has AOC go such a lightning rod for criticism? Simple: She is an outspoken, fearless young Latina with new ideas and sharp political instincts. That is very threatening to those in power, then they take every opportunity they tin can to disrespect the Boston University graduate and proponent of the Green New Deal. Attacking AOC personally means that her critics won't have to talk over her policy proposals, like taxing the super-wealthy or expanding access to health care.
Sure, AOC is not the first politician to exist subjected to pointless tests of then-called authenticity. Consider how frequently profiles of democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro mention that he is not perfectly fluent in Spanish, equally if that matters. Nor is AOC perfect; she is new to Congress and likely is facing a learning bend merely similar other newly-elected lawmakers.
Still, it is ironic that some of the aforementioned people criticizing her spoken communication, her style, and her use of social media are the aforementioned ones defending outrageous, offensive bear from the current occupant of The White House. Whatever you might recollect about AOC, she is non a smashing, a racist, or an unindicted co-conspirator. She respects the norms of authorities and society. She is an intelligent, contained woman. And best of all, AOC really doesn't care what her critics recall -- which, to them, is probably the most infuriating matter about her.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/07/opinions/rep-ocasio-cortez-code-switched-reyes/index.html
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