Stopped by TMZ's cameras on Sunday afternoon, Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis was asked who she thinks is "the next champion of our time to help improve race relations."
Davis responded by naming Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently won the Democratic primary in New York's 14th congressional district by securing a major upset over incumbent Joseph Crowley. "I think she would be pretty good because she's young," Davis said of the 28-year-old.
Ocasio-Cortez's name has been mentioned by some as "the next Barack Obama" and if she defeats Republican nominee Anthony Pappas in the November 6 general election, she will become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America and former organizer for Bernie Sanders’ campaign, Ocasio-Cortez has been praised for her progressive ideals including support of universal health care, a federal jobs guarantee, and the abolition of ICE.
"Women like me aren't supposed to run for office," she says in a viral campaign video that now has nearly four million views. "I wasn't born to a wealthy or powerful family. Mother from Puerto Rico, dad from the South Bronx, I was born in a place where your zip code determines your destiny."
Asked by TMZ if America's current race relation problems are Donald Trump's fault, Viola Davis responded, "It's definitely not Trump's fault. That's a bi-product." Then, TMZ's cameraman prodded for her thoughts about Nicki Minaj recently comparing herself to Harriet Tubman. Looking to avoid the topic, Davis responded, "Oh, she did? Okay. She may have had something in mind, so when I run into Nicki, I'll ask her."
