Here at ELLE, nothing quite gets our fists pumping like the sound of young women standing up against prejudices in the name of equality, feminism and justice.
And this week, the sound of activists fighting about subjects such as abortion, women's reproductive rights and racism has been deafening.
Following in the applause of 16-year-old activist Deja Foxx, who stood up to Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who voted in favour of Donald Trump's legislation restricting women's health care, earlier this week – a student from Auburn University, Alabama, has just taken the opportunity to shut down discussion with Alt-right, neo-Nazi Richard Spencer.
On Tuesday, Spencer – who you might remember was punched in the face on camera during an inauguration protest in January– reportedly rented a hall from a third party at Auburn University.
According to AL, the event was originally cancelled by the institution but, on the day of the debate, a federal judge in Montgomery ruled in favour of Auburn's complaint that any ban on his speaking at the university was an infringement on his right to free speech.
However, Auburn student Morgan Buckles – who filmed the debate – told the Huffington Post that Spencer and his supporters at the event repeatedly cut off or drowned out other people when they tried to speak.
However, they weren't powerful enough to silence one student.
Standing up to face sexual harassment from some audience members, the brave student took the microphone, to which Spencer joked about her presumably asking a question about Snapchat.
Because, you know, all us millenials do is talk about social media all day…
Her response? 'I'm asking a question so we're going to listen.'
When told to 'put some pants' on from an audience member, she told him: 'Kiss my ass, I go to the gym, honey.'
Turning back to face Spencer, the student asked: 'My question is how are white people more racially oppressed than black people, because I'm a black woman at a predominantly white institute and I want to know what challenges you all face that I don't?
She followed this with a second question: 'How did it feel to get punched in the face at inauguration?'
Boom.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
