From Hoops to Hope: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Political Fandom on Twitter

Abstract

The study uses political discourse on Twitter as political texts to evidence how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political fandom is fueled by affective structures of power, resistance, gendered power dynamics, political ideologies, culture, hope, and encouragement. The study argues for a more modern approach, amalgamating all three waves of fandom studies, that considers a more holistic and nuanced inquiry of fan studies that is contextual and inclusive. The political fandom of Ocasio-Cortez signals a sociopolitical shift in political fandom in which fans’ affective identification is intrinsically tied to power, resistance, and within-party hierarchies.