How AOC Went From 0-100
What do an immigrant, Chelsea Handler and Generation Z have in common? The answer: backing for America’s youngest socialist congresswoman.
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes turned heads at the MET Gala last month with a stunning white dress that read ‘Tax the Rich’ on the backside. Her look was iconic to some, but left others angry and confused.
While the look was on-theme for “American Independence Fashion,” it left viewers puzzled regarding how and why she was invited to the most exclusive gathering of the year. The 2021 tickets cost upwards of $35,000 and tables run from $200,000 - $300,000 each. With an average salary of $174,000, many observers don’t see NYC officials regularly invited to the event. However, as designers often pay for attendees, this was the case for AOC.
Aurora James, a Brooklyn-based Black immigrant and Vogue Fashion Fund winner, designed the dress. AOC stated she was proud to wear the dress and turned focus towards childcare, healthcare, and climate control - issues that could be aided by additional taxes on the wealthiest 1%.
But the respected representative gained popularity outside of the MET - it all started in the Capitol. The nations’ youngest congresswoman in history has become an icon to feminists and immigrants all over the world, but especially in her home state of New York. Her popularity rose after a viral speech directed towards Representative Yoho in 2020 that dropped jaws across social media platforms.
AOC taking selfies.
Aside from her professional work with grassroot organizations and speaking on behalf of some of the most suppressed voices across the country, her following consists of young voters, mainly Gen Z, that got to vote for the first time in the 2020 elections. Gen Z is attracted to young, female leaders fighting for equity and equality, so it’s no surprise that AOC is a role model to the generation. In fact, her non-traditional congressional practices are what set her apart from every other lawmaker on The Hill.
In a world where status is evolving to number of likes and followers, AOC is known for her online presence. The young congresswoman went from slinging tacos and pouring drinks in Brooklyn to clapping back at some of the nation’s most respected Congresspeople. Her Twitter account stands at nearly 13 million followers, and obtained over 435,000 concurrent views on her Twitch platform playing the game Among Us. To no surprise, that’s what Gen Z loves; people of influence engaging in ‘normal’ public activities, like playing video games and responding to Tweets. Ironic that something so small can so dramatically shift an attitude about cause. In fact, that's what sets her apart from others. Another thing that younger generations like? Action.
Unlike other politicians and people of influence, instrumental change is not exclusive to a younger generation, yet it’s what grasps a younger audience. But AOC thrives beyond politics. When COVID-19 upturned our world, her initial instinct was to stand on the streets of Brooklyn and pass out KN-95 masks while PPE was back-ordered for millions of people. Beyond that, she took to Instagram Live and raised over a million dollars for a familiar group - essential workers that didn’t receive federal funding.
Anyone can create a Tweet, and anyone can talk about misogynistic society, but what most people can’t do is take the next step: act on it. AOC can, and she certainly does. Her role-model persona and attitude prove that even in the presence of our nation’s decision-makers and valued personnel, it’s critical to fight for what you believe in, especially if no one agrees.
