“The idea that a woman can be as powerful as a man is something that our society can’t deal with but I am as powerful as a man and it drives them crazy”
I’m sure by now you must have guessed the name of the badass woman who had the guts to say these bold words at a public forum, and yes, it’s none other than our no.1 girl crush, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez!
Popularly known as AOC, she’s known for her fierce statements and giving them back to her patriarchal opponents with a bang. She’s not only an inspiration to women who want to make something out of their lives but has also shown the world that gender has no role to play when it comes to conquering the world. She’s the youngest woman to ever be elected in Congress and she changed the game. A determined woman, she’s the woman who changed the course of US politics altogether and smashed the patriarchy after winning the elections in 2018. A state which was run by men, dominated by men, and even ideologized by men transformed into a representative and open state, by our one and only, AOC!
Action speaks louder than words, but when it comes to AOC, she is equally loud in terms of her achievements as her speeches. She changed the financial status by raising the highest amount of money than any other party or candidate which then came to be known as the ‘AOC effect’.
People in the US even questioned her capabilities at one point. Was she just all show-mo or an actual workhorse? She admitted to having cynical thoughts on several occasions too. What if her opponents are actually right? What if she’s not moving towards the right agenda? But what made her special was that she did not let these thoughts take over her mind forever. Yes, she openly criticized her opponents. But, instead of just providing blatant views to the audience, she worked on the opposition’s flaws. Not just politically or economically, but socially. She speaks not just for herself but for millions of women across the globe who are passionate to take over the world. She made attempts in the areas of Education and Empowerment. These two Es made her what she’s today and she attempts to give it back to society.
Isn’t this what the feminist movements have wanted to achieve since their advent? The acceptance of a woman who wants to take on the world, fearlessly speaking her heart out and making this world a better place to live in for everyone. One thing about AOC worth remembering is that she did not get this boldness within a fortnight nor was she born with it. She had the same dreams, same aspirations, and the same love for everything, in general, as we all have. Yes, we do perceive her to be this strong, bold, and confident woman but that does not mean that she does not have a life of her own, or that she restricts her emotions.
Here is where the feminists’ notion of work-life balance comes to play. AOC is the epitome of work-life balance showcasing that, as a woman, you don’t have to choose between the two rather, you can successfully manage both of the aspects simultaneously. This is checkmate for all those people who believe in the notion that women and men should have the public-private divide. This is AOC symbolizes the power of one woman to beat the ongoing patriarchy in the US.
For all those women, who’re intellectual but are hesitant to voice their ideas, for all those mothers who are creative but are hesitant to start a business, for all those girls who love to play football, but are hesitant to ask the boys for a match, diminish this fear because one thing that this world has taught us is that people won’t change their mindset, it’s you who has to come up with a better ideology and remain firm in your stance.
People who still believe that Feminism is just a sham come from a place of unacknowledged privilege. It is not that AOC did not face any obstacles before and after holding the office. She was continuously mocked either by her oppressors or her seniors on how she speaks and what she speaks. Recently, they even had problems with the kind of hairdo she adopts. She gave it back to all her enemies in public speeches and forums, even in debates, and that’s why people look up to her not just because she’s a female politician, but how she has always portrayed herself to be a strong woman first.
Take some inspiration and start working towards your goals and oh, whenever in doubt, find our queen of sassy remarks on YouTube and let her entertain and empower you!
Author – Kashish Chadha
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