I attended a rally for Bernie Sanders this past October. The presidential candidate spoke about a number of issues close to my heart: debt-free college education, universal health care, support for working mothers, breaking up the big banks. At least, that is what my friend told me later that day. During the event, I had no idea what was happening at the podium. I was too busy posing seductively and scanning the crowd for a potential beau.
Yes, Gloria Steinem, you've got me figured out. In an interview with Bill Maher, the feminist icon explained that Sanders' overwhelming popularity over Hillary Clinton among young women is due to our primal need to be around the opposite sex. Of course. As a shallow twenty-something, I am constantly thinking "Where are the boys?" I have no idea how I juggle full-time college, parenting and work when my main prerogative in life is to be wherever The Men are. Somehow I manage.
Ms. Steinem must have noticed the legions of Millennial women who flock to Bernie Sanders events in sequins and stilettos, limply waiting for a strapping young socialist democrat to sweep them off of their delicate feet. In fact, it's high time somebody developed a Grindr-style app for political events, so that the next time a young woman finds herself phone-banking or canvasing she doesn't have to wistfully wonder whether or not the hottie with the beard is single or taken.
Famous feminist leaders like Steinem and first female secretary of state Madeleine Albright have made it their strategy to shame young women who choose to back Sanders over Clinton. Albright cites the fact that the fight for equality between the sexes isn't over. According to the former secretary of state: "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other!" Yes, this country has a long way to go—the gender pay gap is an unfortunate reality. The United States is overdue for a female leader. However, to support Clinton simply because of her sex is a tough sell for many young women. Her opposition Sanders runs a campaign that has consistently served as a glimmer of hope in the midst of the suffocating debt cloud that hangs over many millennials, male and female. Twenty-something support for Bernie Sanders showed in last week's Iowa caucus exit polls. Young people recognize that the 74-year-old Vermontian has devoted himself to a fair America for everyone during his decades in public office. He may be America's best hope for a society that isn't rigged in favor of big money and big business. Young voters hear this message loud and clear.
It is backward feminist logic to invalidate the choices of a group of young women simply because you disagree with them. Then again, what do I know? I wrote this article because my 'missed connections' listing went unanswered on Craigslist. To the boy with the Bernie bumpersticker at High St. and Maple St.—I know you felt a moment at that red light as well. Message me.
