If, for some strange reason you’ve never heard of AOC, then you must know that she’s a 29-year-old former waitress who made history late last year when she became the youngest woman to be elected to the US House of Representatives, winning the 14th congressional district of New York (Bronx and Queens) with a victory that is already changing the face of the Democratic Party.
Born in the Bronx to parents of Puerto Rican descent, she is a graduate of Boston University, worked as an intern in the office of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, as an organiser for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign before winning the Democratic ticket ahead of 10-term Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley, despite being outspent by a margin of 18 to 1. The New York Times described Crowley's loss as "the most significant Democratic loss in more than a decade, and one that will reverberate across the party and the country”, while The Guardian called it "one of the biggest upsets in recent American political history". Her momentum didn’t let off either, for, once she got to General Election, she beat her longshot Republican opponent Anthony Pappas with 78.2 per cent of the vote.
Her plans for higher income tax rates on the rich and credit card rates that cap off at 15 per cent (proposed in tandem with Bernie Sanders), have made some label her as a socialist while other credit her with reviving the American dream for the working class. Either way, her astonishing ascent to power has been extraordinary.
You are conquering American politics like nobody else before you. And the new documentary ‘Knock Down the House’ shows how you made it to Congress. What did you think of the movie?
I am still recovering from it. I cried so much watching it. It has so much personal meaning for all of us who made it to Washington. It’s making me emotional also because everyday people get to see that – yes – it’s incredibly challenging but it’s very worth it. Every person that submits him or herself to run for public office is committing themselves to this country.
What was the moment where you decided to step up and do this?
Early on in the film you see us in a conference and it was at this point where Justice Democrats approached and asked me if I was open to running. I decided on that very day to run. It was very emotional. If felt like we were all in this together. It felt good because I had others with me. And if we had gone down, at least we would go down together.
Was it easy or difficult to campaign once you committed?
One thing is we went through so much. We knocked on doors, we had blisters on our feet, we were sweating in 100-degree (37 degrees Celsius) weather in New York in the summer, but we all felt we were part of something larger, as if we needed to do this for a higher purpose. That’s what it is about. Fight the pushback, don’t listen to the voices that tell you you don’t stand a chance. It’s all about the mission, it’s all about the people.
Were you afraid of losing?
Every loss is also part of the movement. Losing a race helps change the conversation. There is a whole new movement out there now across this country. We are not over, we are not done. We are just getting started.
What do you mean? A revolution in America?
If we want a government that serves us, then we need to take our government back. It’s as simple as that. So, I encourage everybody out there to run for office in your local districts if you want things to change. That is the only way it’s ever going to get done. Don’t be discouraged, don’t be intimidated. The chance for change has never been greater than it is today.
You seem to have ignited a new interest for politics in America, are you aware of that?
I love it. It’s time to become an activist, it’s cool to stand up for what you think is right. It’s time to be passionate about America again, and rid us of those who want to take this country down. If I can help others to get excited about change and about politics again, then I am more than content. But I want more, I want to be the voice of the people that are not heard right now.
Where do you find strength and the money to do this?
I think one of the things that’s hard is the immense personal and spiritual cost that it takes to be in politics. And the future cost as well. When you lose there is a huge risk in the aftermath as well.
People forget losers quickly, is that what you are saying?
We fought obstacles from the get go. From day one people didn’t give us a chance. It had to do with the notion of what you need to look like in order to win a congressional race. And I just didn’t fit that look, right?
You do now. Young people especially love and respect you. But you are making political enemies fast in D.C., are you worried?
Overall we need to realise that our democracy belongs to us. And if we don’t participate in it, we are just giving it away to somebody else. And that is usually a very small group of people. Each and everyone has a very personal story. Running for political office felt like it had a spiritual significance. It was almost as if a higher power was guiding me the whole time.
Do you see yourself as a role model for others?
Politics comes with a lot of humiliation to be frank. And I think we have a door, and in the next two years, I want to hold that door open, so a lot more people can walk through and join me.
If you had to sum up your political ambitions as a 29 year-old congresswoman, what would those be?
You are only as strong as the weakest member in your community. That is what I truly believe. So my goal is to make our communities stronger and better every day. It’s our duty to stand up and fight back. I don’t want people to be in pain anymore. If we don’t step up, nobody else will step up. Often times you don’t see the corruption that is around you.
What can others do to help in your opinion?
Make phone calls, go out in the street, do everything you can to make your voice heard. We didn’t take corporate money to run our campaign. My average donation was 27 USD per person. But we did it anyway. We beat the other guys who had raised a lot more cash. It’s America, it can be done. I am living proof.
Your conservative critics say you want to dismantle all wealth in America, demanding a 70 per cent income tax for the very rich. How do you respond?
If we want a country for the people, we have to take big money out of politics. Otherwise nothing will change in Washington. We have to make the voices heard that normally don’t get heard. I am making it a promise to be that voice for the unheard.
What is your message for kids out there who dream big like you?
Don’t reach for the stars, reach for what you don’t see. Our children are a lot smarter than us. Remember, that everybody always has a way. No matter what struggle comes before you, you have a duty to stand up and fight back.
