Staff Reports
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has apparently decided to play the humanitarian card at the Democratic National Convention, advocating for Palestinian representation on stage. If one were to carefully assess her statement shared on social media, one might think she’s calling for the developers of a reality TV show rather than a serious conversation about international relations. While most Americans find common sense in standing up for human rights, Ocasio-Cortez has gotten tangled in the rhetoric of the radical left, pushing for the spotlight on a group that has more than a few skeletons in its closet.
During the convention in Chicago, the congresswoman echoed sentiments recently penned by Ta-Nehisi Coates in Vanity Fair, where he essentially turned Israel into the poster child for everything wrong in the world today. Apparently, if there’s a politically contentious narrative to be spun, Coates is more than happy to take on the task. He likened Israel to Jim Crow America and labeled it an “ethnocracy,” whatever that means in the circles of academia. If the DNC is looking to address grievances against Israel, perhaps employing a more holistic perspective might be a novel approach.
Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal to the DNC comes at a time when they likely wish she’d stick to bending the national conversation around climate change rather than bickering about Middle Eastern politics. Her proposition for the DNC to stop “dehumanizing” Palestinians if they don’t allow Palestinian speakers is a nod to her role in the progressive wing of the party, demonstrating once again how political leverage and social justice can often lead to oddly misplaced priorities. It’s almost as if ignoring the plight of spreading radicalism and anti-Semitism is simply a small price to pay for a few talking points.
Despite the chaos unfolding, a surprising insight can be gleaned. It seems the DNC is aware of the potential backlash from featuring Palestinian representatives who might hold views diverging from the narrative that the party wants to project. In efforts to preserve their fragile political alliances, they would rather keep Palestinians off stage than risk infighting among their own delegates. Who knew political maneuvering could also resemble a high-stakes game of chess? If keeping those dissenting voices quiet means avoiding messy conversations, then they’re going all-in on silence.
Heading into Day 4 of the DNC, with Kamala Harris poised to capture the party’s nomination, the delegate drama intensifies. There’s no shortage of passionately hopeful activists wishing for a moment in the limelight, despite being part of a faction that has consistently run contrary to mainstream Democratic ideals. While they might find consolation in their dreams of grandeur, it’s likely the party will go with the safe route, emphasizing what plays best to their core convictions—probably something far from the realities of those living in Gaza.
AOC Demands DNC Stop Participating in ‘Dehumanization of Palestinians‘ https://t.co/z2skedOWFQ via @BreitbartNews
— Elena (@helen44767171) August 22, 2024
This peculiar attempt to showcase the “humanity” of Palestinians feels more like an effort to bolster the party’s ethical standing than to genuinely tackle complex international issues. Should the DNC heed Ocasio-Cortez’s call, it might further muddy the waters for a party already struggling to maintain control over its rapidly diverging factions. Next up, perhaps the DNC will consult with fortune tellers to guide their next steps, puzzling over how to make everyone happy while ignoring the sobering truths that complicate the narrative. For all their rhetoric about compassion, the fact remains that both their audience and the world outside their window are not so easily fooled.
