Hello. First lets get this out of the way. I am a Hillary supporter. Briefly supported Bernie, but came around after the first debate. I complain when Bernie Sanders does things I find wrong. Whether it is the superdelegate plan, crying fix when Hillary wins, or complaining about closed primaries, while ignoring that wherever you fall on open vs. closed primaries, they are more democratic than caucuses.
That is not what this diary is about, but it may well color my perspective so I thought I would throw it out there. This diary is about the “Bernie Bro” thing or possibly the “Bernie-Bro” thing, I am honestly not sure. Not the phenomenon, not the people it is used to describe, but the term itself. I will try to keep it short, because a lot of us have pie fights to return to.
Like most insulting terms specific definitions vary, but I think it is universally used to describe behavior from supporters of Bernie Sanders that is bullying, explicitly or implicitly misogynistic, and/or abrasive.
Does this describe all Bernie Sanders Supporters? No, and while a camp that large is likely to have a few it does describe; the term just should not be used. Here are a few reasons. The list is not exhaustive, so feel free to add stuff in the comments.
- It bothers many Bernie supporters who would not fit the definition(s) that the term is meant to bother or insult, IE reasonable people who prefer Bernie Sanders.
We will want their support against Trump. We may not agree that we need to cave on policy demands or feel like we are in a hostage negotiation. But surely we can take this small step to avoid furthering ill will.
- Even if the term is used to describe a Sanders supporter who is an openly misogynistic bully, or is immediately followed with a disclaimer like “not all of Bernie’s supporters are like that” it has Bernie’s name in it. Bernie Sanders has upset me a bit lately. But the man is a progressive icon who has struggled for years to bring light into dark places and speak for those who have no voices.
We may, and by-and-large have decided he is not the best standard bearer for the party this year. Let's not tarnish his very name by linking it to behavior he would be appalled by.
- It 100% of the time derails the discussion. If someone says something you find sexist, and in response you call him a “Bernie Bro,” congratulations any discussion of sexism is shelved in favor of a discussion on the term “Bernie Bro.”
- Last and certainly least, it further perverts the term “bro”, for years an honorific used to imply brotherhood and unity.
Should bro be retired for something more inclusive to women? Yeah, but don’t piss on its grave bro.
Thank you for your time. Now let us get back to demonizing on another without using this term as a crutch.