New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed what she’d likely be doing with her life in an alternate universe where Trump wasn’t our president. In an interview on Desus & Mero, a new late-night talk show on Showtime, Ocasio-Cortez said she’d likely be drawn to a career path that is far from politics but not at all far from her values.
What? Teaching high school.
"I don't know," Ocasio-Cortez said to co-hosts Daniel Baker and Joel Martinez, who go by Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, respectively, on the show. "I could be just like teaching in high school right now."
She also shared some unique insight into what she considers to be a “silver living” of Trump’s presidency. The interview is below.
When talking about life in post-Trump America, the Congresswoman from New York continued:
"You know, times of great challenge can also bring out the best in people, too, and so I think that's what we're really seeing. Even though things are hitting the fan right now, we're seeing people activate and educate themselves, and mobilize and make amazing art, and hit the streets and run for office. And that's really when our country is at our best. So, ya know, a silver lining in everything."
It’s hard to find a silver living in Trump’s presidency, given what a dire impact he and his cabinet are having on our country. But if there is a silver lining to be found, Ocasio-Cortez is probably right in that it’s in the number of people running for office who otherwise probably wouldn’t have. That influx can lead to more representation in the long-term and inspire younger generations to do the same.
Something else Ocasio-Cortez knows a lot about? Dealing with trolls once you get elected into public office.
"It is heavy,” she explains. “But in a weird way, that stuff is validation that you're doing something real. Because if you're just flying under the radar, just trying to get your check, not rock the boat, then what's the point of being in politics? What is the point of doing things if you're just trying to maintain the status quo that doesn't help people?"
Inspiring attitude? Check. Integrity? Double check. Good at connecting with the youth? Triple check. Ocasio-Cortez probably would have made a great high school teacher. But we’re lucky to have her in Congress, at least for now.