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I’ve tweeted about this before but I’ll do it again.
My own personal theories on the appeal of Pete Buttigieg and why some people loved him and others hated him:
My own personal theories on the appeal of Pete Buttigieg and why some people loved him and others hated him:
White people (in general, on average) are drawn to “inspiring underdog outsider” candidates while Black people (in general, on average) value relationships, accountability, and experience. There are many examples of this.
Also, honestly, straight ppl’s attitudes toward gay ppl changed dramatically over a few years.
Which leaves a lot of straight ppl feeling a little guilty about their past homophobia.
Supporting the first gay President assuages the guilt. Sorry, I just think that was part of it.
Which leaves a lot of straight ppl feeling a little guilty about their past homophobia.
Supporting the first gay President assuages the guilt. Sorry, I just think that was part of it.
He had good positions on the issues in general and was a fantastic debater.
At the same time, he was not always very concise with his words, and his tweets and other words were open to interpretation, which of course people who didn’t like him interpreted the worst possible way.
At the same time, he was not always very concise with his words, and his tweets and other words were open to interpretation, which of course people who didn’t like him interpreted the worst possible way.
Also a lot of people simply don’t understand aspects of gay lived experience. Gender non conformity and not fitting in can lead to immersing yourself in introverted activities (like learning languages, or piano). He was misunderstood.
So when he talked about speaking multiple languages, some people heard a braggadocious white male and others heard something about his lived experience with marginalization. (Not saying either was fully incorrect.)
I’m sorry, but many of the people who hated him intensely and interpreted everything he said the worst possible way were gay themselves. And I’m sorry but internalized homophobia had something to do with that. I said what I said.
Personally I think he could be a good future candidate for President with: more experience, more relationship-building and earning trust with communities of color, being a little more concise with his words,…
…straight white people treating him as a whole flawed human being and not their inspiring Gay Best Friend who absolves them of past homophobia, and gay people getting over their self-hatred.
And I hope people appreciate this thread for the nuanced take it is, and that Buttigieg supporters and haters alike don’t throw things at me.
