How I Became a Subaru Socialist
By the time Bernie Sanders ran for President, in 2015, I was financially secure. But the previous decade had left a mark.
A journalist ponders the evolution of their political beliefs. Despite graduating with a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, the reporter faced a string of rejections in publishing and teaching before losing their job during the Great Recession. This period of unemployment, coupled with the loss of a home, prompted a shift in their political views.
The 2015 emergence of Bernie Sanders on the campaign trail ignited a newfound interest in universal healthcare, wealth redistribution, and increased public sector spending. The reporter found it surprising that they only began to take their politics seriously once they were financially secure. The author suggests that the shift in their political beliefs was influenced by Barack Obama's presidency and the disappointment that followed.
The hope for a multiethnic, prosperous America under Obama led the reporter to momentarily abandon their questions about wealth inequality and corporate corruption. However, as the reality of the financial crash set in, the reporter's resentment towards anti-racist, neoliberal politics grew. The author notes that Obama's handling of the financial crisis ultimately revealed that the perfect world he promised was not realized.
As a result, the reporter sought an alternative, one that felt connected to a personality and an idea. Universalism and the refusal to engage in factional, identity-based politics were key factors in this shift. While the 2008 financial crash could have led to a centrist politics focused on repudiating Donald Trump and celebrating free markets, the reporter's unique perspective was drawn towards the socialist bent of the Bernie Sanders campaign.
Factors like the cultural influence of Sanders, the realization of student loan debt, and appreciation for California's unemployment benefits all played a role in shaping the reporter's "Subaru Socialist" politics.
Written by urgent.news from The New Yorker's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
