Ever since Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came onto the scene during the 2018 election cycle, progressives and socialists have seen her as the ultimate champion of their goals and vision for America. She's become the outspoken socialist darling that is, sadly, the future of the Democratic Party. Those in New York City's Lower East Side decided to honor the Congresswoman in an interesting way: by painting her face on a fence.
Ocasio-Cortez's face painted onto Lower East Side fence https://t.co/6MbtxEoUNY pic.twitter.com/Ftgd6BJgt8
— New York Post (@nypost) February 13, 2019
The mural's artist, Lexi Bella, is known for her portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., Serena Williams and Frida Kahlo. According to Bella, Ocasio-Cortez "inspires change" and deserves a tribute.
“I was so moved by her being sworn in in January,” Bella told The New York Post. “It was such an incredible David & Goliath story when she beat [Rep. Joe] Crowley in the primary battle, and I think she actually embodies the kind of politician that the people who built this country intended. She’s the embodiment of inspiring change.”
It's a rather strange tribute considering she's only been in office six weeks. And even her supporters recognize that.
“I’m surprised it went up so quickly,” said 27-year-old Matthew Marblo. “She just got elected. She hasn’t exactly done much yet and she is already on a mural. She is more a symbolic figure right now.”
“I like her, but I don’t know if I like the picture. It’s a cliche. She’s more interesting and subtle than that,” 74-year-old Terry Rodgers said, calling the mural "crap."
But at least one person is thrilled by the mural.
“She is a New York girl! This is a compliment to her, being honored by New York,” Amy Smith, 32, told The Post.
The fact that Ocasio-Cortez's supporters are already going to great lengths to "memorialize" her so-called "legacy," is quite sad. She's been in office six week. She hasn't done anything other than have some crazy gaffes and argue with people on Twitter. So far she's been nothing but a keyboard warrior – and legislator. It'd be different if she was in her 70s and 80s, had been in office for 30+ years and had something to show for her career. But this? This is literally painting a mural of someone who won political office. Whoopty doo! Who is to say she'll be reelected? For all we know, she'll be a one term Congresswoman. And a highly-ineffective one at that.