In the vein of Notorious RBG, 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. Six months later, as the youngest Congresswoman ever elected, AOC became one of a handful of Latina politicians in Washington, D.C. Just thirty, she represents her generation, the millennials, in many groundbreaking ways: proudly working class, Democratic Socialist, of Puerto Rican descent, master of social media, not to mention of the Bronx, feminist—and a great dancer. AOC investigates her symbolic and personal significance for so many, 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:
Keegan-Michael Key — Preface Lynda Lopez — Introduction: "The Meaning of AOC" Jennine Capó Crucet — "An Open Letter to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez" Andrea González-Ramírez — "Women Like Me Aren’t Supposed to Run for Office" Patricia Reynoso — “'The First Latina to . . .'” Pedro Regalado — “'Pa’lante!': The Long History of Puerto Rican Activism in New York City" Rebecca Traister — "The Imagined Threat of a Woman Who Governs Like a Man" Natalia Sylvester — "In No Uncertain Terms" Erin Aubry Kaplan — "The Center Will Not Hold. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Counting on It" Tracey Ross — "A Just Society" Carmen Rita Wong — "Latinas Are So Money" Mariana Atencio — "AOC the Influencer" Wendy Carrillo — "What AOC and I Learned at Standing Rock" Nathan J. Robinson — "The Democratic Socialism of AOC" Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez — "On Being an Indignant Brown Girl" Elizabeth Yeampierre — "Making the Green New Deal the Real Deal" María Cristina “MC” González Noguera — "The Hustle"