Image via The Intercept
Written by President ELLA
New York’s Representative Elect, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is something to be proud of. The Bronx native is an example of how far hard work can get you and how important it is to be smart. Her resume is incredibly admirable. The young scholar had an asteroid named after her, after winning second prize in her High School Science fair. Around the same time, she became involved in politics through high school extracurriculars. Through and after college (as detailed by Wiki, at least), this young woman is an inspiration to all young girls that your mind is your best asset, and you must continually put it to use.
Upon graduating in 2011, it seems Ocasio-Cortez didn’t have. a job lined up; this is most interesting to me. She’s a regular girl. After attending Boston University and interning, she went back home to the Bronx to bartend and wait tables? Or maybe there was a better path for her? In 2016, Ocasio-Cortez began working on the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. For the 5 years in between, Ocasio-Cortez was putting in work aside from what was making her money. She founded a book publishing company, Brook Avenue Press and worked with the National Hispanic Institute. I find it inspirational to know how much work she was putting in, illustrating that the road to where we want to be may be clearly outlined, fast or easy. Rather one where you may be required to work double-time, just to get where you need to be.
image via Washington Post
Invigorated by the campaign, Ocasio-Cortez took off in her car to places in the country in need of a voice; Flint, Michigan, for example. Her passion for the people, in my option, is what has fueled her since. They say you get out what you put in; Ocasio-Cortez raised most of her campaigning money from individual donations. Backed by the support of her community, she won the primary elections. The $3.4 million her competitor spent were useless vs the $194,000 the Ocasio-Cortez campaign raised. By the time the mid-term elections came around, Ocasio-Cortez earned the backing of even more powerful voices, like Barack Obama and won her seat in Congress on November 6th, 2018.
For the next two years, Ocasio-Cortez will hold one of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives in Congress. Joining the House, Ocasio-Cortez will be able to participate in government directly (on the behalf of the people of New York). The House has the ability to raise impeachment, for which Ocasio-Cortez said she would support in the case of Trump. After her win, this was much of the conversation but while the Senate (still majority Republican) would ultimately decide the outcome… Ocasio-Cortez, labeled as a Democrat and also as a socialist. She shares many liberal views such as free-tuition college and universal health care. She opposes bringing Amazon to Queens, NY (but I’m trying to get a new job…)
Regardless of her views and whether we agree, I admire Ocasio-Cortez for her work ethic. She joined & spoke out in protest, on her first day on the job! I admire her dedication to the cause at such an early age and am encouraged to make the most of my life when I think of her. I’m also intrigued to continue to watch her and see how far she goes. As literally just being research people and decide my own political affiliations, I feel proud of my peer and hope to cheer her on for a long time. I’m interested to see her positions and platforms grow and to see what effect she has on the world. Needless to say, it’s comforting to see a face and hear a voice that looks like mine… well… more like my sister’s. I read an article (written by an obvious cynic at the NYTimes) which criticized Ocasio-Cortez for wear an expensive outfit, while fighting for human rights. The outfit was picked out for her for the photoshoot, and returned afterwards. I feel bad that this young girl will never be able to wear Chanel in public. She’s given up her life to be judged and scrutinized, so that other people won’t be.
Politics as usual… and that’s something to applaud.
EllaThought 