Rhetorical Analysis of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s Having a Daughter does not Make a Man Decent Speech

A man in the 21st century should be equivalent to a woman but in reality, many still believe men are superior. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is a victim of sexism who speaks about how by considering one woman to be unequal, you connote that behaviour towards all women, including their own wives and kids which was seen throughout her speech, “Having a Daughter does not Make a Man Decent.” Through the use of anaphora, a rhetorical question, and a pathos approach regarding Orwell’s rules, Ocasio-Cortez is able to bring awareness to the issue of men slandering women and to prove that even though a male has female figures in their life, it doesn’t make him a decent man.  

Ocasio-Cortex experienced sexism after she encountered representative Ted Yoho, an American politician. She opened up about the cruelties and harsh words of men through the use of anaphora. This encounter was outside of the White House, a symbol representing all of America. There, in a place where she should have felt empowered, protected and proud, she was mistreated and verbally offended: “he called me disgusting, he called me crazy, he called me out of my mind, and he called me dangerous.” And by rewording the vile conversation where she was assaulted, the use of anaphora emphasized how appalled she was that such an educated man would slander a woman without reason. The constant repetition of “he called me” symbolizes the endless amount of times women are put down and slandered by men, “he”, over and over again which catches the attention of other women in the world as they go through this daily and can relate.

Ocasio-Cortez later brings attention to the fact that any man can be a predator. “Lastly, what I want to express to Mr. Yoho is gratitude. I want to thank him for showing the world that you can be a powerful man and accost women. You can have daughters and accost women without remorse. You can be married and accost women. You can take photos and project an image to the world of being a family man and accost women without remorse and with a sense of impunity.” Through the use of anaphora, Ocasio-Cortez explains that Mr. Yoho helped illuminate that just because a man has a wife or daughter does not mean they are a “decent” person. The repetition of the words “you can” signifies that “you can” fake being a feminist by having a family fulfilled by women but can still be a misogynist based on your actions. Ocasio-Cortez brings attention to this and assures women to not be fooled by whom men are surrounded with but to look deeper and see who they truly are. 

Ocasio-Cortez also brings attention to the sexism women go through every day with the use of a rhetorical question, “So while I was not deeply hurt or offended by little comments that are made, when I was reflecting on this, I honestly thought that I was just going to pack it up and go home. It’s just another day, right?”(Ocasio-Cortez). By using a rhetorical question she indirectly confirmed that was used to this kind of mistreatment and received it on a daily basis. She brought attention to the fact that because she produces estrogen, she along with all other women had been and will forever be degraded in our society. 

Looking back at George Orwell’s rules in his piece “Politics in the English Language”, Ocasio-Cortez is not only a victim of sexism but also a victim of pretentious diction, an issue highlighted in Orwell’s essay. She used words such as “levied” and “accosted” knowing she would be addressing people of all classes and levels of education. They are words that could have easily been replaced with shorter words in which a more diverse group of individuals could have understood. But in an attempt to seem educated, she instead excluded people who may not understand these terms. On the other hand, she kept her points concise and did not drag dying metaphors, meaningless words, or verbal false limbs to display her message of bringing attention to this issue.  From the beginning, she got straight to the point, and into an anecdote; “Thank you Madam Speaker...About two days ago…” Through the use of Orwell’s rules, she was able to create an emotional connection through a pathos approach. Women go through this kind of verbal abuse every day, knowing you are not alone in the fight for women’s rights gives a sense of comfort. By Ocasio-Cortez opening up about her experience, it helps make all women feel like there are in this battle together. “ I could not allow my nieces, I could not allow the little girls that I go home to, I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and worse to see that, to see that excuse and to see our Congress accept it as legitimate and accept it as an apology and to accept silence as a form of acceptance”(Ocasio-Cortez). Ocasio-Cortez creates an emotional connection of sadness when she mentions her “nieces” as it is a familiar ground that most people can relate to. When she speaks about how she would never want her nieces to be treated with such disrespect she speaks on behalf of those who have nieces or relationships similar to that of a niece. She focuses the attention not only on the verbal abuse that you yourself as a woman endure but the sexism your loved ones endure. 

Ocasio-Cortez along with all other women is surrounded by misogyny every day by considering one woman to be inequitable, you speak for all women a fact which was examined in her speech,  “Having a Daughter does not Make a Man Decent”. A man cannot hide behind a woman forever afraid of the backlash they will receive in response to their actions and words. Through the use of anaphora, a rhetorical question, and a pathos approach regarding Orwell’s rules, Ocasio-Cortez is able to bring awareness to the issue of men slandering women and to prove that even though a male has female figures in their life, it doesn’t make him a decent man.