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Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a speech of resounding eloquence on resistance to tyrannical governance in the lands,” she said in an interview with Chris Hayes, explaining that “the administration looks so powerful, but in reality, because of its unpopularity, it is much weaker.” She advised the citizenry not to “blink first” in shutdown fights or shutdown-type political standoffs and said that resisting acceptance by the people is often the only thing that stands against the aura of inevitability that such systems have to build. Her comments bore a social media storm, in which supporters hailed her leadership while the detractors ridiculed her viewpoint.
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She gave a tad more traditionally fleshing-out tint to the political situation in the segment of the show ‘All In with Chris Hayes.’ “I think there are two things happening at once. First, there absolutely is an unprecedented abuse of power, destruction of norms, erosion of our government and our democracy in order to prop up an authoritarian style of governance. That is happening. However, they are weaker than they look.”
She explained one of the biggest charmers of the authoritarian style of governance of the Government-sponsored institutions in her view—their swaying on public perception contrary to true strength. “What they rely on is the impression of power, the perception of inevitability, in us giving up in advance to say, oh, what’s going to happen if I stand up, et cetera, nothing’s going to happen.” She elaborated, “They rely on that perception of inevitability and power so that people comply in advance and acquiesce in advance and give up in advance.”
She went on to state, according to the polls, “‘Donald Trump is at record levels of unpopularity in his tenure. The Republican House is at record levels of unpopularity. They are underwater across the board, and they know it, and that is causing them to double down in public, but it is backfiring.” She said this, therefore, inculcates the confrontations the administration loves to fan—the confrontations where “they want us to blink first.”
“For these troops to be called up for the absurd purpose they are being called up for,” Ocasio-Cortez said, “it’s an insult to the servicemembers of this country.” She urged all not to succumb to cynicism but to unify and said, “We have to understand that standing up matters, that our voice matters, to not give into the cynicism because that is what they rely on in order to perpetuate this idea that they have total immunity from consequence.”
The whole interview, just short clips, and selected for Instagram by the All In with Chris Hayes account rapidly exploded with thousands of reactions and comments. Supporters expressed appreciation for the message with many considering her a potential candidate for president. One Instagram user stated, “I can’t wait for the day I get to vote for you for president.” That comment led to a thread of other users; one Italian said, “I’m Italian but I hope for this world that AOC will be the next president of USA.” Such international interest on possible leadership confirms her world profile transcending American political affairs.
Another user shared what was surely their “best quote yet”—”We have to be the consequence”—and suggested it be screen-printed on some t-shirts. The phrase struck a chord; it was reiterated throughout the discussion as a rallying call. It seemed to encapsulate the sentiment of Ocasio-Cortez’s argument for active resistance versus passive acquiescence.
The comment threads also highlighted just how polarized political discussion is today. Many showered Ocasio-Cortez with praise as “the hope for my generation” and “the Democrats best communicator,” while detractors poured in with scathing comments. Another detractor suggested, “This girl, Russia and China would have taken over by now… democrats are so lost… do u think REAL men would take her serious.. the answer is NO.” Another chimed in: “Shut up trump won and you look like a bimbo,” which may give a further insight into the more personal side of many political criticisms.
Some comment made the practical issue of resistance: “There are young people who do already,” pictured the youths protesting that “stand toe to toe with agents,” amidst pepper spray, rubber bullets, and arrests. Another comment followed, “They need backup. They need support. They are fighting for our rights and waiting for others to find their courage.” That perspective pointed toward the physical dangers involved in the standing up that Ocasio-Cortez is advocating.
The broader political strategy emerged in debates, one posting, “Just remember that there are countless Republican and Independent voters ready to shift the playing field. You are the ones with the loudest voice, but the silent ones are preparing to do what needs to be done.” The implication there is that political allegiances may turn out to be more fluid than portrayed in these heated online fora.
Ocasio-Cortez’s interview with Hayes was done in the backdrop of stormy debates on government funding and executive power. The message of resistance based on collective action and refusal to accept the outward appearance of invincibility is at the core of her greater political philosophy. The immensely enthusiastic reaction from the supporters is a testament to her ongoing status as a progressive voice, while detractors’ comments expose the deeply entrenched divide in modern American political discourse.
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The congresswoman’s language on authoritarian tactics and a call for public endurance hit tender chords among many viewers who see recent political happenings as undermining democratic standards. Her theory of compensative strength displays of unpopular governments extends the tool for conceptualizing political strategy far beyond the immediate policy discussion. Recent political discourse would indeed benefit from means of analysis and activism concerning Ocasio-Cortez’s activism for the power of public resistance and absolute refusal to resign themselves to perceived inevitability.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
