Not Here for the Boys: Why Young Women Are Flocking to Sanders
MANCHESTER, NH — Gloria Steinem, renowned feminist, activist, and journalist, is under fire for her recent criticism of young female voters who are supporting Bernie Sanders. The attention of this demographic has been more captured by Sanders, as opposed to his opponent, Secretary Clinton, and to Steinem, this is blasphemy. Steinem bashes those voters, saying, “When you’re young, you’re thinking: ‘Where are the boys? The boys are with Bernie.’” Many young women were infuriated and offended: Was this feminist icon suggesting that women are only interested in politics because of boys? Insulting this demographic is not an effective way to win them over.
High school senior Katie Gisondi, a Bernie supporter and a feminist, responds to Steinem’s statement saying, “If you think feminism is solely supporting women blindly, that is inherently sexist… feminism isn’t just following women, it’s following someone who holistically supports women.” Gisondi believes that Sanders is more passionate, and trustworthy about his beliefs. Sanders agenda doesn’t alienate people; he’s inclusive of race, class, and gender, which is what feminism is really about.
A prominent point that Steinem seemingly over looked is that feminism is not only about experiencing sexism. It’s about developing a solution that will help create universal equality. Just because Clinton is a female politician, and a good politician who has experienced sexism, doesn’t mean she automatically deserves the votes of young women.
Sarah Palin is a female politician who’s experienced sexism, but that doesn’t mean female voters want her in the White House.
Steinem’s total disregard of the LGBT+ community, in her already sexist comment, is infuriating to young voter Tiarnan McCaffrey, “F**k Gloria Steinem. What’s a lesbian? No one knows, apparently.” This heteronormative view point is a shock and a disappointment; Steinem’s support has less to do with actual feminism and more to do with Hillary Clinton. McCaffrey thinks that Sanders actually believes in his platform as opposed to Hillary, “I like what she’s saying now, but I don’t think she’d stick to that.”
Steinem has since apologized for “misspeaking” and claimed that she had been “misunderstood.” But the damage is done. With the primary less than twenty four hours away, there is no convincing young female Sanders supporters to switch over to Hillary’s side.
