Systemic sexism

On Monday, Rep. Yoho called Alexandria a “f**cking b*tch” on the steps of the Capitol. Then, on the House floor, he invoked the names of his wife and daughter to offer a non-apology – refusing to acknowledge his complicity in a system that has allowed sexist rhetoric to remain an everyday occurrence for women in the 21st century.

We’re not looking for an apology from Rep. Yoho. Alexandria doesn’t want one, he doesn’t want to give one, and it’s clear that in his heart, he’s not sorry for what he did. But here’s what we won’t accept: Yesterday, media outlets referred to Rep. Yoho’s non-apology as legitimate remorse. We won’t let that record stand.

Women and girls across the country should not be told what Rep. Yoho offered is a legitimate apology. They should not be given the message that in the halls of power, dutifully elected women can be victims of verbal abuse, and the harm levied towards them can be waived off as “passion, loving my God, my family or my country.” That’s called an excuse.

Things must change. That’s why our movement is fighting so hard to uplift progressive, working-class voices – particularly the voices of women – so we can correct the systemically broken nature of our halls of power. Will you chip in to help us build this progressive movement?

This harm that Rep. Yoho tried to levy on Alexandria is about more than one incident. When men in power brazenly display sexist behavior and disrespect, they embolden other men to act in the same disgusting ways. Rep. Yoho’s defense applies to anyone who would call even his own daughters misogynist and dehumanizing slurs.

Across the United States, sexism is far too common in the workplace. Places of power like Congress aren’t immune to that reality, and the fact that change has not yet happened is no accident. It’s emblematic of overwhelmingly white, disproportionately male spaces that protect misogynistic, exclusionary behavior.

It’s not a coincidence that leaders like Alexandria, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and so many others face disproportionate backlash when they stand up for their principles. Deep down, many old-school figures lash out at them because they can’t verbalize what they feel inside: “People like that shouldn’t be here.”

This is why we need voices like AOC’s in Congress – to take on, call out, and ultimately dismantle the power structures that benefit and protect the privileged. We need representatives who will reshape the halls of power in our image. That’s what our movement is working hard to do every day, and why we need you to stand with us now.

Together, we can correct the systematic injustice that emboldens people like Rep. Yoho, and replace people like him with leaders who truly represent the people of this country.

In solidarity,

Team AOC

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