top of page
Writer's pictureNetra Bhargava

How the Squad won America's Heart

They’re 4 congresswomen pioneering a trail for unprecedented success.


Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan won big as a part of the 2018 midterm elections, frequently referred to as the blue wave. From the moment they stepped into office they didn’t fear calling out their own party, large corporations, or even other countries. While they are only 4 in a group of 435, they continuously fight for their voices to be heard loud and clear. However, the squad has been the focus of extreme scrutiny and condemnation from President Trump and Republicans, and they've even sparred with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in their path to make the democratic party more progressive.


Take Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s Green New Deal for example, even without support from her party, she was brave enough to introduce such legendary legislation. Similarly, Rashida Talib and Ilhan Omar have called for President Trump’s impeachment and passionately advocated for the rights of Palestinians, breaking the conservative approach of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, on both matters. Over the recent years, the squad’s members have fulfilled their promise to be agents of change, not just a face of diversity. Younger Americans want concrete change and the squad represents their voices. For example, Rashida Tallibs Lift +Act bill, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez green new deal, and Ilhan's rent and mortgage cancellation act are policies for the American people, not just the 1%.


That’s why the squad has some of the highest approval ratings. Because they fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. These 4 representatives are 4 progressive women of color. Considered minorities in this country, it is safe to assume that they receive more hate than praise most times. They are targets of heinous attacks, oftentimes even death threats. However, while most threats come from progressive dissenters, the most surprising came from the president of the United States, Donald Trump.


Through a series of racist tweets and remarks directed at the squad, Trump told them to go back to their own countries. The absurdity, not just being blatant racism, but the fact that 3 out of the 4 representatives were born in the United States. However, these remarks didn’t waver the quartet of congresswomen one bit as they responded in the most mature way possible. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez along with the rest of the squad in a press conference stated: “I want to tell children across this country that no matter what the President says, this country belongs to you, And it belongs to everyone" Her colleague Rashida Talib went on to say “There's more love for unity, for respect for each other. There's a love that this is a nation of immigrants.” The squad’s ability to recognize that President Trump's comments hurt every single minority as Omar pointed out “You might have noticed how when he said to go back to where you came from there was an uproar through all of our communities, because every single person who is brown or black, at some point in their life in this country, heard that,” sympathized with the American people and finally earned them the respect they deserve.


The squad's ability to connect with other humans rather than acting like an untouchable being is the root of their popularity. These women are incredible, brave, hardworking, and much more. Through their policies and standing up to others for the American people, the squad has won America’s hearts.

Comments


bottom of page