We grasp at the tattered, frayed fabric of our identity, especially as we get older.
For Gen Xers like me, barreling into middle age and toward antiquity, we take comfort in the fact that nobody was ever more badass, more cynically cool, more “fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me” than us.
Yeah, I told you about my ex-friend who went from out-and-proud progressive to right-wing promoter of racist conspiracy theories. But she must be an aberration, right?
Well, recent surveys have shown that maybe she isn’t.
You see, Biden’s disapproval rating is highest among Gen X, compared to the other generations. Biden also has the highest “strongly disapprove” rating from Gen X.
Many experts believe that the “one-time flannel-wearing, Pearl Jam-listening and Slacker–Singles-watching generation has become much more Republican and conservative than it was in the Obama years.”
Now, there is much dispute over the definition and measurement of political preferences, generational differences, and survey results.
In fact, some experts insist that “Gen Xers have swung a little more toward the Democratic Party over time.”
Others say that Boomers are the only generation that is solidly Republican.
In either case, don’t tell me that people just get more conservative as they age. While there is a sliver of truth to that statement, research shows that “political attitudes are remarkably stable over the long term.” The theory that Gen X is voting GOP just because we’re getting older is shaky at best.
So what in the name of 80s glam rock is going on with these survey results?
Well, if there is a Gen X problem for progressives, “it is very likely a white Gen X problem.” Let’s face it. Gen X is less diverse than younger generations. In fact, over 60% of us are white.
That means I am an ethnic minority within a generational minority. Yes, sometimes I feel like an exotic bird.
In any case, Trumpism is “more likely to resonate with white Gen Xers… than nonwhite individuals.”
My generation’s drift toward MAGA town is a “sustained white Gen X backlash to the social norms and ideals that have been part of our cultural backdrop” since we were kids.
Like me, many of my peers grew up with Sesame Street. But unlike me, they never appreciated the parts where people spoke Spanish.
Now that they are middle-aged, they are pissed off about woke and diversity and, apparently, basic decency.
For example, one Gen Xer told NPR that his preference for Trump stems from how we were “raised where we don’t think there’s anything wrong to say, ‘Is that retarded?’ or ‘Is there a Black guy down the street?’ You know what I’m saying?”
Yes, I know exactly what this man is saying. He is implying that racial paranoia is admirable and that the natural evolution of language and cultural norms is an oppressive force.
Also, the fact that young people frown at our use of the word “retard” means that we Gen Xers have no choice but to vote for a fascist.
Makes perfect sense.
This outrage over new societal standards is prevalent among white Gen Xers, especially men. And as we know, white men of any generation are aggressively right wing. Hey, perhaps the reason so many white Gen X men stormed the Capitol is because the Boomers got winded or had lingering issues from their hip-replacement surgeries.
I have more to say on the disconcerting overlap between Gen X and baby Boomers. But that will wait until next week.
Until then, turn up the Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy. It might be your last chance.
