United States House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ Historic "Alphabet Speech" (Jan. 6th/Jan. 7th, 2023) with two videos, a partial transcription, article excerpts, & comments

CNN,  Jan 7, 2023  #CNN #News

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the first Black leader of either major US political party, made his first speech as a part of the opening of the 118th Congress
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Total # of views as of January 7, 2023 at  2:30 PM ET- 139,312
Latest update to those statistics as of Jan 8, 2023 at 1:42 PM ET- total # of views - 479,025

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision- Jan 8, 2023 at 1:43 PM ET

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of the first speech that United States House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made as part of the opening of the 118th Congress. That speech is being called "the Alphabet Speech" because Rep. Jeffries' used the alphabet to contrast the Democratic political party with the Republican political party.

This pancocojams post also showcases a remix of the alphabet portion of Rep. Jeffries' speech spoken with a Hip Hop beat playing in the background.

In addition, this post presents excerpts from three online article excerpts about Rep. Hakeem Jeffries' speech. Selected comments from these articles' discussion threads are also included in this post.  

The content of this post is presented for historical and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for political work and advocacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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Information about Rep Hakeem Jeffries is presented in the comment section for this pancocojams post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-meanings-of-arabic-traditional.html for a pancocojams post about the meanings of the Arabic first names and traditional African language middle names that Rep Jeffries and his younger brother were given at birth.

These names follow the custom of some African Americans who are Christians who were given Arabic and/or traditional African first and/or middle names at birth or who later were given or gave themselves Arabic and/or traditional African name/s.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR VIDEO #1
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1.Sandor M 2019, Jan 7, 2023
"Wow, so glad I stumbled upon this amazing and inspiring speech. This is what true leadership should sound and look like. All hope is not lost if we do the right things and truly put country above self."

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2. KristinaDenise1, Jan. 7, 2023

"This was inspiring to see. Especially appreciated the governing over gaslighting line! I'm seeing comments on Twitter that these are "The ABCs of democracy." Love that framing of this speech. Looks like Democrats did a great job choosing their speaker"

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3. Aduunka iyo Maanta official, Jan 7, 2023
"This is by far the best acceptance speech ever, this not only the best speech but also poetic speech ever,  this is speech of true leader. I nominate him the future president. I don't think Mccarthy can top that ever."

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4. Bass Master, Jan 8, 2023
"Wow, that was one of the best speeches I’ve heard in recent memory"

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5. Kimi M, Jan 8, 2023

"I feel so uplifted and hopeful.  What an intelligent, inspiring and powerful speech.  We need you so desperately at this time in our fragile democracy.  Thank you, Mr. Jeffries!!"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Hakeem Jeffries schools Republicans with a HIP HOP BEAT.



BrooklynDad-Deviant!  Jan 7, 2023 This legendary, "Obama 2.0" speech is not to be missed -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries gets the crowd going with this unbelievable A to Z list of Democratic values, and I added a BEAT to it! Sit back and enjoy! #shorts"
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Total # of views as of Jan. 7, 2023 at 7:01 AM ET= 129. 

This remix video of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries' speech is mentioned in Article #2 as having gone viral on Twitter.
  

Here are a few comments from this YouTube video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:

1. chaosvii, Jan. 7, 2023
"No classier revenge against the incurious than a lesson that would improve their lives"

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2. May Viser, Jan 7, 2023
"Sending them back to school because, apparently, they didn't learn it the first time!"
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3. I Am The Solitarymaninblack, Jan 8, 2023
"Some Republican cringed at this on  Twitter, another saw it as hate speech. They like playing the victim."

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4.  malone sinclaire, Jan. 8, 2023
"His whole speech is fantastic have watched it 10 time....please take the time and listen to the whole speedh"

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ARTICLES ABOUT REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES' SPEECH

Article #1

From https://newyorktheater.me/2023/01/07/rep-hakeem-jeffries-abc-of-american-values-the-constitution-over-the-cult-freedom-over-fascism-maturity-over-mar-a-lago/

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ ABC of American Values: “The Constitution over the cult …Freedom over fascism… Maturity over Mar-a-Lago…”  Author- New York Theater, January 7, 2023

“Near the end of his inspiring 15-minute address to the 118th Congress before the formal handing-over of the gavel to the newly elected Speaker of the House early Saturday morning, Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) spelled out the values of Democrats, in alphabetical order:

Beyond the House, this speech gives hope and inspiration to humanity. We will never compromise our principles. House Democrats will always put American values over autocracy. Benevolence over bigotry. The Constitution over the cult. Democracy over demagogues. Economic opportunity over extremism. Freedom over fascism, Governing over gaslighting. Hopefulness over hatred. Inclusion over isolation, Justice over judicial overreach. Knowledge over kangaroo courts, Liberty over limitation. Maturity over Mar-a-Lago. Normalcy over negativity. Opportunity over obstruction, People over politics. Quality of life issues over over QAnon. Reason over racism. Substance over slander. Triumph over tyranny. Understanding over ugliness. Voting rights over voter suppression. Working families over the well connected. Xenia* over xenophobia. Yes, we can over you can’t do it, and zealous representation over zero sum confrontation.

*xenia means hospitality.”....
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I added italics to Rep Jeffries' speech to highlight those words.

This article continues with the full video of the  Rep. Jeffries' speech.
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Here are a few comments from that video's discussion thread: 

All of these comments are from January 7, 2023. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Zaraptta Zaraptta
"This speech is awesome.  It gives Americans hope for the future.  This speech will go down in history as one of the greatest speeches in Congess.

We the People,  welcome MATRURITY over Mar-a-Lago."

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2. Robert Leadbetter
"What a powerful speech ! Thank you Rep. Jeffries for reminding us that this is a government by the people and for the people. You are a true American and a symbol everyone should work to achieve."

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3. Moses Kpakor
"What an inspiring and amazing speech by this young gentleman, Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, Leader of House Democratic Caucus, and a future President of America by the grace of God. Wish you all the best as you steer the affairs of your party for the well-being of all Americans."

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4. K A
"Beyond the House, this speech gives hope and inspiration to humanity."

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Article #2
From https://www.newsweek.com/hakeem-jeffries-z-speaker-concession-speech-viewed-2-4-million-times-1772070 "Hakeem Jeffries A-Z House Speech Viewed 2.4 Million Times" by James Bickerton, on 1/7/23 AT 11:57 AM EST

"On Friday the Republican McCarthy was elected speaker on the 15th ballot, following four days of gridlock in the lower chamber.

In the end 216 Republicans voted for McCarthy versus 212 Democrats for Jeffries, while six Republicans voted "present."

Previously McCarthy had been blocked by a group of around 20 right-wing Republicans, making this the longest election for speaker since 1859, when 44 ballots were required.

Conceding the election Jeffries extended "our hand of partnership" to McCarthy, adding: "We extend, and intend, to try and find common ground, whenever and wherever possible on behalf of the American people."

However, Jeffries warned the Democrats will "never compromise our principles," and proceeded to list those principles with one offered for each of the 26 letters in the alphabet.

[...]

A clip of the speech was posted on Twitter by user 'BrooklynDad_Defiant,' a self-described Democrat supporter.

He wrote: "HOLY S***, my man Rep. Hakeem Jeffries actually schooled these fools alphabetically!"

The video received more than 1.7 million views, along with 19,500 retweets and 86,000 likes.

Another clip of the speech was tweeted out by Huffington Post journalist Philip Lewis, who wrote: "Hakeem Jeffries just went from A thru Z in his speech."

This clip was viewed more than 500,000 times, receiving over 23,000 likes."...
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The words "HOLY S***" were written that way in that article.
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I don't use Twitter, but Showcase Video #2 in this post is a YouTube video by BrookynDad_Defiant! of Rep Hakeem Jeffries' A-Z speech  is probably the same clip that is on Twitter.

In addition to the two video clips of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries' speech that were referenced in that Newsweek article, numerous video clips of that speech can be found on YouTube, Twitter, and other social media sites in addition of the two clips that are, documenting that this speech has gone viral.

Here's a reader's comment from that Newsweek article:

GOPnomore, January 7, 2023
"Hakeem Jeffries went from A to Z and Republicans strongly reacted when he said maturity over Mar-a-Lago. In fact, once Republicans realized they were being called out they became extremely agitated.

I didn’t even notice he covered the whole alphabet but I thought the speech was fantastic.

And he didn’t even use a Teleprompter.

This will forever be known as Hakeem Jeffries ABC speech of Liberty."
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Article #2
From https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hakeem-jeffries-abc-speech-house_n_63b98687e4b0b2e15067f28e "Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Gets Laughs And Cheers For Alphabet Speech After Kevin McCarthy Win"

The new No. 1 Democrat in the House said his party would always pick “maturity over Mar-a-Lago.”

by Sara Boboltz, Jan 7, 2023, 11:23 AM EST Updated 2 hours ago
"In the wee hours of Saturday morning, House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) ascended the podium for his first remarks in his new role after House Republicans finally picked Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as their leader.

Jeffries thanked his colleagues, paid tribute to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and introduced himself as the highest-ranking Democrat in the chamber. He acknowledged that the new Republican majority signaled the House was “at a fork in the road,” though his party would still work to “extend our hand of partnership” across the aisle.

Jeffries handed the gavel over to McCarthy ― but first, he had a bit of fun.

“I also want to make clear that we will never compromise our principles,” he said, before diving into a list that encompassed the entire alphabet.

“House Democrats will always put American values over autocracy,” Jeffries began. “Benevolence over bigotry. The Constitution over the code.”

 [...]

As the Democrat spoke, McCarthy stood just off to the side of the podium."...
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The original title for this article was "Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Gets Laughs And Cheers For Alphabet Stunt After Kevin McCarthy Win".

I'm glad the word "stunt" was removed from that article's title. I believe that word was  incorrect as its usage belittles that speech's intent.
 
Here are a few comments from that article's discussion thread: 

All of these comments are from January 7, 2023. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Ed Posey
"Jeffries let the GOP know in no uncertain terms that they won't railroad anything through the house without a fight but will try to work with them where they can.

I thought he gave one of the best speeches ever given on the floor of the House of Representatives."

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2. Cliff Carr
"It was a great and inspiring speech."

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3. Diane Brown
"The next Obama?  The republicans should be very worried about the new Democratic leadership.  We are united, smart, diverse and sincerely care about the welfare of our people and nation."

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Reply
4. Larry Wilson
"I like him but he is not the next Obama. There is only one."

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Reply
5. Diane Brown
"Obama was my once in a lifetime president but I'm old so I hope Jeffries can be the next generations once in a lifetime leader and inspiration.  You are correct there is only one Obama. "

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6. Bobo Clown
"The fact that he could recite the alphabet without notes puts him in a superior class in the House. In the coming weeks he will hopefully show up the rank-and-file Republicans by demonstrating other things they cannot do, like tie his shoes."

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7. Shel Dewey
"It was a great speech by Jeffries. He was so right about his comparisons of Democrat values vs Republicans (these days, at least)."

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Reply
8. Carol T
"Hence the Republican stoney faces and boos.  At least, Jeffries constructively used his downtime while watching the Cons bicker."

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9. JML TOO
"It should be noted that Nancy Pelosi spent Nov-Dec 2020 prepping for the vote for Speaker. She too had only a 222 member majority. She too lacked unanimous support from her caucus. But she had lined up 216 votes and sufficient "present" votes to claim the Speaker's gavel before the first vote started. AND, she kept the power and authority of the Speaker intact.

Kevin McCarthy spent Nov-Dec 2022 claiming victory without doing the hard work necessary to get his caucus in line. He even moved into the Speaker's office before the first vote was taken. In a pure exercise of Trumpism, McCarthy didn't bother to do the work, he just put his soul up for grabs and took whatever deal anyone offered, including stripping away whatever dignity he had left."

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10. joe gawel
"To be accurate, Jeffries got laughs and cheers from his side of the aisle, but toward the end of his contrasting alphabetic elements, he also got some jeers from the 'pubs.

However, it WAS a well crafted speech. Too bad it came at 1:00 a.m., when few people were watching."

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Reply 
11. Will Roberts
"Perhaps, but it's probably already the most watch speech of an incoming House Minority Leader ever.

 And it's getting lots of viewing the day after, which certainly has never happened."

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Reply
12.  Ed Posey
"Thankfully the speech was preserved by it being televised so it can be aired on prime time for all to see. Although I doubt anyone will see it on any right wing networks."

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13. Bobo Clown
"The alphabet? The MAGAmaniacs would be hard pressed to recite the alphabet and probably thought he was going to go on forever. I know they were thinking "what letter comes after Z"?"

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14. Thomas Britt
"Point . Match. Game. Mr. Jeffries!!!"

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15. Camelia Guild
"I like how Hakeem Jeffries took the GQP to  "Sesame Street" on democratic values."

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