Recontextualization of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Textual Trajectories and Meaning in Social Media Posts about Roe v Wade

In this exploratory study, I investigate how Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s texts about the Roe v. Wade case are recontextualized into news and social media discourse on abortion following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Using Critical Discourse Analysis with data collected from Twitter and American news media outlets, I consider the trajectories and meanings of Ginsburg’s texts when they are recontextualized into new discursive contexts. My analysis found that both pro-choice and anti-abortion discourse recontextualize her texts, focusing on different aspects to support one of the two positions on abortion. I conclude that the trajectory of Ginsburg’s texts into pro-choice discourse may contribute to gender empowerment by referencing Ginsburg’s advocacy for individual autonomy and choice for women whereas the trajectory into anti-abortion discourse may perpetuate gender inequality by focusing on state rights and her criticisms of the decision while diminishing her support of choice and autonomy.