Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D Texas, expressed her frustration during a House Oversight Committee hearing on the Dismantle DEI Act, which seeks to diminish diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The hearing quickly became heated when Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., argued that the bill was a strong response to the oppression of our rights, liberties, and freedoms, a statement that Crockett fiercely contested.
Crockett took issue with Higgins’ use of the word “oppression,” claiming that his understanding of the term was fundamentally flawed. “Every time you say the word ‘oppression,’ it’s like nails on a chalkboard,” she said. She suggested that Higgins, and others who echo similar views, should consult a dictionary to grasp the real meaning of oppression: “prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.” As a Black woman and civil rights advocate, Crockett emphasized the historical realities of oppression faced by people of color in the U.S. and pointed out that the word “oppression” was being misused by those who didn’t fully understand its weight or historical context.
She challenged Higgins’ assertion of oppression, arguing that white men in America have not faced the same kind of systemic injustice that Black people and other marginalized groups have experienced. Crockett highlighted the brutal history of slavery, reminding her colleagues that Black people were forcibly removed from their homelands, shipped across the ocean, and subjected to unimaginable horrors.
“Tell me which white men were dragged out of their homes, which ones were forced across an ocean and told, ‘You are going to work. We are going to steal your wives, we are going to rape your wives.’ That is oppression,” Crockett asserted.
Crockett’s remarks also tackled the issue of migration and identity, contrasting the experiences of white Americans with those of Black people who were not migrants but were instead stolen and enslaved. “We didn’t ask to be here,” she said, noting the stark difference between voluntary migration and forced enslavement. She also took aim at the hypocrisy she perceived in the Republican arguments, pointing out the incongruity of white men on one side of the aisle claiming oppression while questioning the lived experiences of people of color on the other.
Further, Crockett highlighted the continued dominance of white men in positions of power in America, despite their relatively small proportion of the population. “White men make up 30% of the population, yet hold over 60% of the elected offices in this country,” she pointed out, underscoring the disparity in representation. She also made a personal note of her own position as the 55th Black woman elected to Congress, emphasizing that racial inequality in the political sphere is far from a distant memory.
Wrapping up her comments, Crockett emphasized the proven benefits of diversity in the workforce. “Companies with more diverse workforces outperform their competitors,” she said, asserting that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. She also expressed frustration with those who continue to downplay racism, stressing that recognizing racism as a real issue is essential to creating a more unified and fair society. “Diversity works,” she concluded, “and until we acknowledge racism as a real issue in this country, we won’t solve the problems that continue to divide us.”
Crockett’s passionate speech highlighted the ongoing struggle for racial equality and equity, and her response to the bill’s proponents was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of historical oppression and the necessity of addressing systemic racism in all aspects of American life.
