Warning: Watching this video may totally disorient you and trick you into believing we are living in ancient times.
In a debate Thursday about equal pay in the European Parliament, a Polish member of Parliament named Janusz Korwin-Mikke literally said: "Women must earn less because they are weaker, they are smaller, they are less intelligent. They must earn less. That is all."
"Women must earn less because they are weaker, they are smaller, they are less intelligent. They must earn less. That is all."
His evidence for this argument was, logically, chess. "Do you know how many women are in the first hundred of chess players? I tell you: no one," he queried? Pretty sure Judit Polgár, a Hungarian grandmaster who defeated 11 male word champs and who is generally considered to be the best female chess player of all time, would have something to say about that.
Thankfully, Spanish MEP Iratxe Garcia-Perez immediately took the floor to shut down the 74-year-old conservative's ridiculous argument.
First, let's look at her reaction when he made the chess comment:
A true hero. Watch as her face goes from polite listening to literal WTF.
After Korwin-Mikke finished his tired, she got up and quietly, calmly, and elegantly told him to essentially f*ck off:
"According to your opinion, I shouldn't have the right to be here as a member of parliament. And I know that it hurts you and bothers you that today women can sit in the House to represent citizens with the same rights as you. I am here to defend all European women from men like you."
👏👏👏👏👏
Watch the entire infuriating-and-then-empowering exchange here:
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook (opens in new tab) for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
How Sustainability Will Redefine the Future of the Fashion IndustryMarie Claire and Kering brought sustainable fashion center stage at the Fashion Our Future Event in New York City on March 16.
-
There's a Reason Your Hair Feels Greasy Post-Wash—But Here's How to Fix It
Say it with me: Grease, be gone!
-
Investigating Whether Micah and Paul From 'Love Is Blind' Are Still Going Strong
Let's dive in, shall we?
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun Safety
The Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.
Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water
"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
