Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, expressed frustration during a House hearing on Wednesday, passionately refuting claims of "oppression" by her Republican colleagues. The hearing, focused on the "Dismantle DEI Act," which aims to weaken diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, sparked a heated exchange after Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., described the bill as a “strong response to the oppression of our rights, liberties, and freedoms.”
Crockett took issue with Higgins’ use of the term "oppression," calling out what she viewed as a misunderstanding of its meaning. "You repeatedly said 'oppression,' and each time, it felt like nails on a chalkboard," Crockett remarked. "Oppression is the prolonged, cruel, or unjust treatment or control." She went on to challenge the notion that white men in the U.S. have faced oppression, citing historical examples of slavery and forced displacement as true oppression.
Addressing the committee, Crockett argued that white men in the U.S. have not endured the same type of systemic oppression experienced by Black Americans. "You tell me which white men were dragged from their homes and sent across the ocean to work as slaves," she said. "We didn’t ask to be here. We didn’t come as migrants. We were stolen."
She also pointed to the disproportionate number of white men in political power, noting that despite making up only 30% of the population, they hold over 60% of elected offices. Crockett underscored that she is only the 55th Black woman ever elected to Congress, highlighting the ongoing underrepresentation of people of color in government.
Concluding her remarks, Crockett emphasized the importance of diversity, citing studies showing that more diverse workforces outperform their competitors. She argued that recognizing the reality of racism in the U.S. is essential for addressing the nation's problems and achieving genuine unity. "Until we stop pretending racism doesn't exist, we won't solve the issues we face and won't create the more perfect union we seek," she said.