AOC Appeals to the Dictionary to Claim Her Appearance at the Met Gala Is Not Ironic

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Janet Ybarra
Democrat
Former Washington Journalist
Contributor on The Bipartisan Press

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is pushing back against criticism of her decision to attend the Met Gala this week wearing a white dress with the words “Tax The Rich” emblazoned in red.

The New York Democrat and passionate opponent of income inequality turned heads Monday evening in New York City attending the $30,000-per-seat gala fundraiser with her statement-making gown by designer, Aurora James.

The medium is the message. pic.twitter.com/b4Ssr6HkYR
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 14, 2021

The Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit and also known as the Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. It marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. It’s been a tradition since 1948.

Ocasio-Cortez, a sophomore member of the House, has been an object of odd fascination for many from the right-wing since her election in 2018.

“You know, I’m hearing some folks, especially the right wing, having this critique about Monday saying, isn’t it ironic that she showed up in a ‘tax the rich’ dress, and I think we need to go back to literary class a little bit,” the congresswoman said. “This conversation comes up. Now, the definition of irony is the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really think, especially in order to be funny. We need to tax the rich, and we need to confront this establishment and this concentration of wealth that likes to consider or market itself as liberal or progressive, but wants to do absolutely [nothing about] wealth inequality and oftentimes lobbies to protect laws, including in the Democratic Party, to preserve the establishment of their class interest.

“The thing is, this isn’t some theoretical or abstract political statement. Right now, we are debating the reconciliation and Build Back Better Act which includes historic expansions in child care, health care, climate action,” she added.