AOC plays race card -- and loses

I believe in freedom of speech. I also believe in using it wisely and calling out those who do not. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, as she is called, gives ample opportunities for such calling-out.

Since she has stepped into office, I have asked myself many times if there needs to be a silent-time mandate for new people in Congress -- a time when new legislators just sit and listen, learn something. Perhaps some do this on their own, just as a matter of common sense. But then, you have AOC, in love with the sound of her own voice and flapping off at the mouth every chance she gets. Making matters worse are the people who egg her, and people like her, on. "Rah! Rah! Go! Go!" They make stars out of these newbies, and these newbies are so hungry for star power, they fall for it. So what do they do? They continue to run off at the mouth. It reminds me of something a pastor I had years ago used to say: "Saying, 'Amen!' to a preacher is like saying, 'Sic 'em' to a dog!" We used to laugh at that because, of course, it's true. Saying, "You go, girl!" to a power-hungry politician is not much different. She just doesn't know where to stop.

Maybe AOC identifies as a New York fighter, but she comes across as juvenile, a playground brawler who feels the need to defend herself and her position when she should just chill for a while and get acquainted with her position; take some notes; demonstrate some decorum. Just. Be. Quiet.

This was never more evident than when she took on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the last week-and-a-half, going so far as suggesting that Pelosi is a racist, accusing her of "the explicit singling out of newly elected women of color." Wow! Now, we are all used to race card play by the left. It's what they do. It's not that they are overly -- genuinely -- concerned about race, as a glance at history reveals, but they are masters at using it against the right. AOC took it to a whole 'nother level, though. The "democratic socialist" is using it against her own -- even against Pelosi, who is the symbol of the Democratic Party and wields quite a bit of power.

Speaking to CNN correspondent Manu Raju last week, AOC swung on Pelosi for Pelosi's criticism of her and three of her colleagues. "It's singling out four individuals, and knowing the media environment that we're operating in, knowing the amount of death threats that we get, knowing the amount of concentration of tension, I think it's just worth asking why."

I'm not saying Pelosi is above challenge; I'm saying AOC may not be the one who should be doing it now, especially on an issue like this. Her comments basically said, "Don't criticize women of color." That has always struck me as Exhibit A of racism, often from those who pretend to oppose racism -- a belief that "minorities" need to be handled with kids' gloves because, well, they're "minorities" and, well, God, help them.

When Raju asked AOC if she thinks Pelosi is a racist, she responded, "No. Absolutely not." So, again, I ask, "Why run your mouth?"

Here's some advice for the neophyte: Folks that prop you up will drop you quicker than anything when you step over the line they have drawn.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) blasted AOC for her tactics. Rep. William Lacy Clay, for example, said, "Because you can't get your way and because you're getting pushback, you resort to using the race card? Unbelievable." Clay may have missed the fact that his party does this all the time, but what he probably means is, "Um, we do that to other people, not one another."

AOC denied playing the race card, calling the allegations "stupidly untrue," which is interesting. I'm not sure what she would call it, but I know this: No one would call it anything at all if she just learned to be quiet. Listen, AOC, get some more time under your belt before believing your own press -- that you're the gift to the party. And if you're going to step to Nancy Pelosi, expect to be taken to the woodshed. The fundraising phenom is probably not the right person to take on at this point. And if you're going to play the race card, stick to what has worked for Democrats all these years: Point your arrow that way -- at the other party, not your own. Take some time; read your own rule book; and in the meantime: Just. Be. Quiet.

I doubt Ms. Ocasio-Cortez will take my advice. She reminds me of the child talking back to her parent. Mom finally says, "Don't say another word. Not one more word." But the rebellious child just can't help herself and mumbles something anyway. We all know what happens next-- and now, so does AOC.

Adrienne Ross is owner of Adrienne Ross Communications and a former Southeast Missourian editorial board member.