Dear Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez,
I imagine that you are growing weary of all those Democratic centrists and Lincoln Project Republicans who would like you to keep quiet and not make waves as we celebrate the Biden-Harris victory.
While I am delighted that Donald Trump will no longer pollute the office of the presidency, it is my fervent hope that you will continue to speak out forcefully for social justice, regardless of what the more moderate folks may say.
My wife and I have great-granddaughter whom we love beyond words. She and her cousin are young women of color who are very tuned in to what is happening politically.
I’ve had conversations with both of these young ladies regarding the political situation in this country. When the young cousin celebrated her sixteenth birthday, I wrote this to her:
For too long both women and people of color have been expected to “know their place” and accept whatever the dominant culture tosses their way. Despite the gains made by the feminist movement, too many young ladies still don’t know their value. It appears that you may be gaining a sense of your own capabilities. I hope so. You are a very intelligent young woman. As I mentioned before, you have mastered two languages, while I have barely mastered one. You might wish to read about a new young female member of the US Congress by the name of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC for short). Briefly, she is a 29 year old Puerto Rican who came from nowhere to win a seat in Congress. She is honest, outspoken and refuses to back down. She is a vocal critic of Trump. What sets her apart is her exuberance and joie de vivre (French expression meaning “Joy of life”.) She should be an inspiration for young women everywhere, not just Puerto Ricans. I’m not suggesting that you need to run for Congress … yet. But there are many professions that need people with your caring and compassionate nature. Just as AOC inspires young woman, you could be that person who inspires other young girls to realize their potential, to know their worth.
For too long both women and people of color have been expected to “know their place” and accept whatever the dominant culture tosses their way. Despite the gains made by the feminist movement, too many young ladies still don’t know their value.
It appears that you may be gaining a sense of your own capabilities. I hope so. You are a very intelligent young woman. As I mentioned before, you have mastered two languages, while I have barely mastered one.
You might wish to read about a new young female member of the US Congress by the name of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC for short). Briefly, she is a 29 year old Puerto Rican who came from nowhere to win a seat in Congress. She is honest, outspoken and refuses to back down. She is a vocal critic of Trump. What sets her apart is her exuberance and joie de vivre (French expression meaning “Joy of life”.)
She should be an inspiration for young women everywhere, not just Puerto Ricans. I’m not suggesting that you need to run for Congress … yet. But there are many professions that need people with your caring and compassionate nature. Just as AOC inspires young woman, you could be that person who inspires other young girls to realize their potential, to know their worth.
It is two years later and both young ladies are becoming more politically aware and active. The are speaking out for what they believe.
It is wonderful that they have you and other members of the squad, as well as older social justice warriors such as Barbara Lee, to inspire them.
It certainly isn’t my place to tell you how to run you political career, but I simply want to let you know that there are many of us who support what you are doing.
Thank you from an aging socialist.
slatsg
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