Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) faced intense backlash on Friday after she used an accent to talk to a predominately black audience at Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.
“This is what organizing looks like, this is what building power looks like, this is what changing the country looks like,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a southern accent while speaking in New York City. “I’m proud to be a bartender, ain’t nothin wrong with that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with working retail, folding clothes for other people to buy,” Ocasio-Cortez continued. “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.”
Below are some of the responses that Ocasio-Cortez received for using the accent that she did while she addressed the predominately black audience.
Fox News Contributor and Campus Reform Editor-In-Chief Lawrence Jones III: “Hey, @AOC I wore the vest because CBP told me to but, what’s your excuse for talking like this?! #WedontTalkLikeThat”
Candace Owens: “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.”
Stacy Washington: “You are not black. Stop the cultural misappropriation AOC.”
Tariq Nasheed: “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’.”
Khaliq Rodriquez, Director of Advancement for the Black Conservative Movement: “Dear @AOC Me and every other black person can do more than just a bartender, a retail worker, a waiter or a bus driver If this is all you think black people can do you have a serious problem”
Radio Host David Webb: “Consider the audience at NAN and listen to the accent and inflection”
CJ Pearson: “Not surprised to see such racist ignorance from the face of the party of slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation.”
Former congressional candidate Aja Smith: “@AOC I am a conservative black female veteran and received backlash from the left by calling me a coon etc…but it’s okay for YOU to talk this way? are you going to wear blackface next?”
She continued: “@AOC black people have come a long way from cooking and cleaning…we are doctors, lawyers, CEOs, Veterans, history makers and shakers, inventors, politicians. For you to suggest that we are good enough to cook and clean set us back 100 years! You are a racist!”
Smith concluded: “Black Republicans already experience racism/ hatred from your party on a daily bases. For you to pretend with your fake accent..the black folks in that room should have booed you off stage. You showed your true colors!”
Dr. Darrell Scott: “Rep.@AOC received private tutoring lessons from Hillary Clinton in “Black People Voice Technique” before she spoke at Al Sharptons [sic] conference. She had a bottle of hot sauce on standby in her purse in case she needed it.”
Political Commentator Kimberly Klacik: “What in the theatre class is going on here? Wow. This is sad & disturbing at the same time.”
Jamarcus Dove-Simmons: “She trying too hard. The accent is so obvious ‘Ain’t nun wrong with dat’ Every African-American does not talk in this way. I guess you’re trying to ‘win the black vote.’ This ain’t it, @AOC”
Jorden: “This embarrassment of a woman @AOC really got up there and did that raggedy accent in front of all those black people. PSA: Not all black people are improper. Not all black people fold clothes and drive buses.”
Turning Point USA Director of Urban Engagement Brandon Tatum: “This is the end for me. How dare @AOC get up there and disrespect the intelligence and integrity of black folks like that I literally could not watch this all the way through the first 5 attempts. These Democrats are pimping out black neighborhood in plane view!! Dang shame”
This article has been updated to add additional responses to Ocasio-Cortez.