Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC) attended her first-ever Met Gala on Sept. 13. As she serves as a politician, she decided to make a political statement in her hometown. She wore an all-white dress that said, “Tax the Rich,” designed by Brooklyn designer Aurora James. She was more than happy to work with James, as she is a “sustainably focused, Black woman immigrant designer.”

Many people have questioned the significance of dress. Many also think it is ironic because she is at an event made for wealthy people. To clarify, politicians in Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn have always been invited to the Met Gala as tradition. They do not have to pay for their tickets or table.

Others think her statement was bold because she attended an event filled with multi-million-dollar brand companies. It takes courage to enter a room with people that your statement is directed to. When she says “tax the rich,” she is not talking about the top 1% who avoid paying anything in taxes year after year.

Others think it does not address the real issue America is facing. The statement “tax the rich” or “eat the rich,” does nothing for the childcare, healthcare and climate change crisis that America is in midst of. Change happens with action and not just words. So what actions are you taking to make a change?