Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gets slammed for quoting rapper Cardi B's lyrics: 'You have a civic duty to write intelligibly'
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not your average congresswoman. And by the looks of her latest tweets, she’s just fine with that.
The 29-year-old representative-elect turned heads as soon as she came onto the scene as a candidate for New York’s 14th Congressional District. And now that she’s entering Congress, she’s continuing to push boundaries as the youngest woman there. Most recently, it’s with a shout-out to one of her state’s own, rapper Cardi B, whose lyrics Ocasio-Cortez seemed to think were a fitting response to the recent criticism she’s been facing.
I never had a problem showin' y'all the real me/
Hair when it's messed up, crib when it's filthy/
Way-before-the-deal me, work-to-pay-the-bills me/
'Fore I fixed my teeth, man, those comments used to kill me/
But never did I change, never been ashamed/— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 20, 2018
Never did I switch, story stayed the same/
I did this on my own, I made this a lane— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 20, 2018
In a couple of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez quoted a verse from Cardi’s song “Best Life,” where the Bronx native raps about how she’s been determined to stay the same, despite now having a platform. “Mood,” the congresswoman wrote beside a link to the song, making it seem like the lyrics might resonate with her continued commentary on her personal finances and her wardrobe.
My dad died when I was 18, my mom scrubbed toilets + drove drove schoolbuses, I bartended to help her, and still won a Congressional primary at 28.
I’ll take my family over a fat bank account any day, and my experience makes me a better legislator.
I am the people I work for. https://t.co/NMWGeUIwNS
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 20, 2018
The actual fear driving the attacks on my clothes, my checking account, my rent, isn’t that these folks are scared that I shouldn’t represent people in Congress.
It’s fear that they’ve allowed their riches, their privilege, + their bias to put them to a point where they can’t.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 20, 2018
Still, plenty of people have a problem with Ocasio-Cortez’s belief that rap lyrics are a proper way to project those feelings.
You have a civic duty to write intelligibly. You are a Congress person serving the United States of America. You are not just speaking for yourself, you are speaking for Americans. Have an assistent re-read, if necessary.
— Mhc (@mhcandrmt) November 20, 2018
You certainly don’t mind showing your lack of understanding of the US government.
— Kyle Durr (@K_Durr22Braves) November 20, 2018
This is so appalling I have no words. Quoting a rapper doesn’t do anything to make me change my mind about you.
— Janet Iadanza (@mshalo18) November 20, 2018
Others think it makes the congresswoman more “real.”
You be you, that’s what your constituents voted for, that’s what the Dems need, honesty and thoughtfulness.
— Don (@rage1resist) November 20, 2018
That’s why you were elected. You’re real!
— cameron kord (@CameronKord) November 20, 2018
— St the Great (@teffanyRP) November 20, 2018
Regardless of differing opinions, Ocasio-Cortez is certainly on people’s minds. Now, she’s trying to turn the attention back to conversations about politics as usual.
Here’s something actually worth airtime talking about:
Half of the jobs in America pay less than $18/hour. https://t.co/rBjNRQ9f52
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 21, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just won a Democratic primary, and less than a year ago she was waitressing
Sarah Palin slams Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for ‘fumbling basic civics,’ and Twitter evokes 2008
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