Gloria Steinem Mocks Young Women Voters
It was dismaying to see Gloria Steinem’s reckless and asinine comments regarding young women voters siding with Bernie Sanders because that’s where the boys are. Besides generalizing in a manner more fit for a Republican, Steinem’s words did much to harm the need to bridge the obvious generation gap within the Democratic party.
Far too many youthful Democrats, men and women, stayed home for the off-year 2010 and 2014 elections and the results have been catastrophic for liberals. It’s true that many older voters stayed home as well. However, the youth took the bigger hit for loss the house and senate by the GOP.
It’s always easier to attack the young and powerless.
Steinem’s comments about young women voters demeaned those who are taking their civic responsibility (and their own futures) seriously. If the goal is to get more young people involved in the Democratic party, male and female alike, then Steinem picked a curious way to build a road to the future.
There is plenty of blame for the current acrimony in both the Sanders and Clinton camps (and especially among their followers). The finger pointing, the name calling, etc… has gotten out of control.
I blame Clinton supporters for much of the current animosity within the Democratic primary race.
When Hillary was 60 pts ahead last year, Sanders supporters were regarded with a bemusement that drifted into condescension. Those of us who are Sanders supporters were patted on the head as if we were dogs. Oh you silly fools, we were told time and again, that old goat doesn’t stand a chance.
But go ahead, enjoy your little fantasies.
Eventually, you’ll have to come around and join the Clinton bandwagon.
Well, the young people have spoken. They aren’t willing to let people make assumptions for them. Many in the older generation are now pissed. It’s ironic that the Boomer generation, the first really politically defiant generation, is getting a taste of their own medicine and they don’t like it.
Vagina or no vagina, no one running for President is owed a vote. I’ve heard many women of the left consider any woman who doesn’t plan on voting for Clinton to be guilty of gender treason. Or just plain stupidity.
And now, apparently, youthful female voters would only support Sanders in hormonal flight to the nearest boys club.
Those insults have caught the ear of young women voters and they are fighting back in large numbers. They are not so unaware of their futures that they are being obtuse for the sake of being obtuse. They are educated, they are informed, they are showing their independence. Their vote has be earned, not inherited.
As I posted on Twitter, “Gloria Steinem went from burning bras to burning her legacy.”
Gloria Steinem’s comments have thrown the ugly underbelly of this election into the light of day and it will be interesting to see if olive branches are extended or if the exposure will cause a further gulf.
Feel free to drop me an email at jamesbarraford@gmail.com or tweet me at @Barraford.
