"40% of Our Kids Live in Poverty" — Darializa Avila Is Running to Change That

Darializa Avila Chevalier is the first Afro-Latina Dominican woman running for Congress — and she sat down with Gadiel for the most important conversation this podcast has ever had. She's running against 9-year incumbent Adriano Espaillat in NY-13 (Harlem, Washington Heights, the Bronx), and she's not holding back: 40% of the children in this district live below the poverty line, we're spending over a billion dollars A DAY on the Iran war while our schools can't afford air conditioning, AIPAC has given her opponent over $150K, and she had to literally run for Congress just to get a conversation with her own representative. Gadiel also let Trump supporters from the district submit questions — and Darializa answered every single one: cost of living, the trains, section 8, single mothers, and why people lost faith in politicians. Plus: what democratic socialism actually means (not Venezuela), why she was arrested twice protesting, the SBA loan disaster that Espaillat's office ignored, and why representation without action is just a photo op. Primary Day is June 23rd. If you live in NY-13, this is the episode you need before you vote. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Meet Darializa: first Afro-Latina Dominican woman running for Congress 06:12 — "40% of our kids live in poverty" — what she'll actually DO in Congress 15:30 — Democratic socialism explained: "It's not Venezuela, it's your kid going to a good school" 25:45 — AIPAC, Espaillat & why she had to run for office just to talk to her own congressman 35:00 — Trump supporters ask their questions: cost of living, section 8 & the trains 🗳️ PRIMARY DAY: June 23rd — NY-13 Follow Darializa: @darilizaforny Website: darilizaforcongress.com Click on the to turn on post notifications! Website: https://www.GadielDelOrbe.com Facebook:   / gadieldelorbe   Instagram:   / gadieldelorbe