OPINION COLUMN

By Joanne Cai, editor

     “I know mom, I’m in love with a criminal.”

     Lately, girls around the world have been falling head over heels for Luigi Mangione, the suspect of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthCare. But what about him that made him appear so attractive?

     Is it because of his looks? Luigi is 5’10’’ and was born in an area in Maryland of Italian descent. He’s well built with a great sense of fashion. From his very first time that he appeared in public view when he’s being escorted out of the NYPD helicopter to his most recent trial, his sense of fashion is undeniable. It may be just a normal prison uniform, but when he’s wearing it, it’s like a piece of clothing from Hermes. His escort process is like a Hollywood movie scene, where he’s the absolute center of attention. His forest green Ralph Lauren sweater with GH Armor system industrial vest made the courtroom like a Vogue Magazine show.

     Is it because of his talents? Luigi attended Gilman School, a private secondary school where he graduated as the valedictorian. He graduated cum laude with his bachelors and masters at the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious ivy league school that also fostered the learning of famous people such as Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, and Donald Trump.

     Is it because of his Robin Hood act? UnitedHealthCare is a medical insurance company but with more than a one-third denial rate. Patients who rely on their insurance get denied and die because they can’t afford the expensive medical bills. As someone who’s from a family that’s rich and at the top of the society, Luigi doesn’t have to worry about these problems. But though he’s raised in wealth, he understands the struggle of the poor. “Delay”, “deny”, “depose” – these three words that Luigi wrote on the bullets question the murderous actions that UnitedHealthCare have done and the profit-driven, corrupt insurance system that exists in this world.

Any one of these qualities is rare, and when they’re combined together and occur on a single person, it’s not a surprise to see so many girls fantasize over him.