Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew criticism today after video surfaced of her speaking at an Al Sharpton event in DC with what critics described as a noticeably different vocal cadence and accent.
In the clip, AOC tells the crowd: "There is a TIIIIDE RISIN' in this country, brothers and sisters. They can put p-p-ah uh, they can put obstacles in our path, but they cannot turn us back around!"
The delivery—marked by elongated vowels, stutters, and what some observers called code-switching—sparked immediate backlash on social media. Conservative commentators accused her of pandering and adopting an inauthentic speaking style for a predominantly Black audience.
AOC's office has not commented on the footage.
In the clip, AOC tells the crowd: "There is a TIIIIDE RISIN' in this country, brothers and sisters. They can put p-p-ah uh, they can put obstacles in our path, but they cannot turn us back around!"
The delivery—marked by elongated vowels, stutters, and what some observers called code-switching—sparked immediate backlash on social media. Conservative commentators accused her of pandering and adopting an inauthentic speaking style for a predominantly Black audience.
AOC's office has not commented on the footage.