Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the U.S. representative for New York’s 14th congressional district, the youngest women in the United States to serve in the congress. She blazes her way fiercely on a progressive platform, always speaking with the working class at the center of her goals. She recognizes working class America and doesn’t undermine any jobs that are so often viewed poorly. “I’m proud to be a bartender,” Cortez said.
She understands the truth that any policy or law that allows injustice will never last, proposing a Green New Deal that will address climate change and economic inequality. “Injustice of any kind is a loose thread on the fabric of society just waiting to catch. And it will catch if we do not address racism, if we do not address the wealth gap, the racial wealth gap, if we do not address mass incarceration,” said Cortez.
This is one of the truest most evidential statements about the United States. Every instance of racism that was ignored was a loose thread that caught, leading to the civil rights movement in the 60’s. Every instance of discrimination and racism that still continues today pulls at a thread. Economic inequality, the ignorance behind climate change, mass shootings, racism, sexism, homophobia and every instance of civil conflict within this society pulls at the threads of the flag we used to be so proud of but we are now afraid to show in other countries.
Ocasio understands that the issues that are not addressed now will not just go away, they will always come back. History has shown us that problems that are ignored will always come back.
Ocasio supports her fellow congresswomen, backing up Ilhan Omar, the victim of a horrifying and disgusting NY Post cover story that took her words out of context, accusing her of invalidating the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Omar, however has worked hard to support victims and families of 9/11.
She is not afraid of an argument or a fight on the congress floor, demonstrating a voice for female politicians and females in general that is not always common. She doesn’t allow her ideas or voice to be silenced. She won’t be the one to back down or make her stance more moderate to accommodate to the right. She advocates and argues for her left leaning ideas, no matter how “radical” people claim they are.
She is the one to stand up for kids that go to jail for jumping turnstiles because they can’t afford metro cards, not blaming them, but the bankers that were greedy and led to the financial collapse of this country. She is one of few that will stand by the lower and working class that are affected by the selfish decisions of the wealthy. She is a much needed voice in congress.
“It doesn’t take 100 years to do this, it takes political courage.”- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez