Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is celebrating another milestone in her meteoric rise to the hallowed halls on the Hill. In her proudest of moments — amidst the pesky math and economics questions marring an otherwise idyllic, unicorn riding transition from obscurity to grandeur — Ocasio-Cortez’s sneakers will be on exhibit at Cornell University.
The exhibition, entitled Women Empowered: Fashions from the Frontline, is a tribute to the many “women activists, politicians, artists, athletes, academics, and everyday unsung heroes who … strategically use fashion for empowerment and collective upliftment.”
As Jenny Leigh Du Puis, who holds a sought-after position on the curatorial team effused, “In each of these public spaces, women have used fashion to overcome obstacles, become visible, and share their voice.”[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”24″]Let the post-election prop up of the progressive Ocasio-Cortez begin. [/perfectpullquote]
There are so many ways that quote can be interpreted yet one must stick to publicized content and allow the fine folks in charge of the Cornell Costume and Textile Collection their day in the national news.
And why are Ocasio-Cortez’s shoes gracing the institution’s esteemed presence? Because she wore them during her quest to oust incumbent Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) and slide into position as the next representative of a heavily Democrat district in New York.
Let the post-election prop up of the progressive Ocasio-Cortez begin.
Those Shoes
The hubbub over the dirty, worn-through kicks began when sparks flew between Ocasio-Cortez and Crowley-supporters during primary season. Crowley claimed “demographics” attributed to Ocasio-Cortez win. She snarkily responded by tweeting:
“1st of all, that’s false. We won w/voters of all kinds. 2nd, here’s my 1st pair of campaign shoes. I knocked doors until rainwater came through my soles. Respect the hustle. We won bc we out-worked the competition. Period.”
Well, she must’ve out-worked the competition because she sure didn’t outsmart them.
The Honor
The exhibition, which will debut early in December, features “collars from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a gown from suffrage activist Olivia Livy Langdon, a skirt owned by Janet Reno and the inaugural suit of Texas governor Ann Richards,” all of which deserve a mention. And there are others, all identifying with a left-leaning agenda: a skirt-suit worn by Cecile Richards when she testified before Congress as president of Planned Parenthood in 2015, and, of course, “political t-shirts, pussy hats, and other items worn by everyday women to convey solidarity and collective empowerment.”
What isn’t included are the boots worn by 1st Lieutenant Kristen Griest and Captain Shaye Haver, the army’s first two combat-ready female Rangers. Or, the uniform worn by Opha May Johnson, the first woman known to have enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1918.
Where is the combat helmet from retired Navy Captain Tammie Jo Shults, now a Southwest Airlines pilot who recently made an emergency landing of a Boeing 737 after an engine explosion? Well, Shults is a devout Christian; she wouldn’t make Cornell’s list if she were the only woman alive in a post-apocalyptic world.
Odor Eaters
Ocasio-Cortez is a participation- trophy poster-child without much to offer as an incoming Congresswoman. Although ostensibly well educated, her lack of basic understanding of how the United States government functions (all those branches and stuff), her brash and factless spewing of policy platform lunacies, and her tender temperament when called out over inaccuracies, must have the alt-left types inventing new ways to promote her ascent to Congress – and help keep her there.
This exhibit must be one of those Hail Mary passes.
Will Ocasio-Cortez rise to the challenge of legislating on the national level or will she bumble along, hoping that her sassy, semi-ignorant style, is endearing to the nation.
Either way, her sneakers will be enshrined and fawned upon by the textile science giants at Cornell University.
