About this Book

An Insightful Look at the Meanings and Impacts of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Youngest Woman Ever Elected to Congress

In AOC, seventeen writers explore the multiple meanings of a young Latina politician who has already made history. From the moment Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat a ten-term incumbent in the primary election for New York's 14th, her journey to the national, if not world, stage, was fast-tracked.

Just thirty, AOC represents her generation, the millennials, in many groundbreaking ways: proudly working class, Democratic Socialist, of Puerto Rican descent, master of social media, feminist—and a great dancer. This book investigates her symbolic and personal significance, from her willingness to use her imperfect bi-lingualism to why men are so threatened by her power, to the long history of Puerto Rican activism that she joins.

Contributors span a wide range of voices and ages, from media to the arts and politics, including Keegan-Michael Key, Jennine Capó Crucet, Andrea González-Ramírez, Rebecca Traister, Natalia Sylvester, Tracey Ross, Mariana Atencio, Nathan J. Robinson, and more. Together, these essays paint a nuanced portrait of AOC and what she represents for feminism, U.S. politics, and the future of the Democratic party.