In the wake of Jacinda Ardern stepping down many questions have been raised.
For example, what does seeing the way she was treated, hounded out of the role, do to the confidence of young women in this country in terms of their aspirations? What must a young girl who has grown up with Jacinda as Prime Minister, and dreams of emulating her one day, think?
Do we want to end up in a situation where due to prejudice and bullying it is just too hard for a woman, someone of a different sexuality, or a person of a different race, to be Prime Minister? Do we end up returning to white men in suits competing for the top job - a procession of carbon copy Christopher Luxons?
What will the people that were so angry and aggressive towards Jacinda target next?
I imagine National and ACT are having to rethink some of their campaign strategies, now that a woman will not be in charge. What will they target Chris Hipkins over? Being ginger? They should keep this fabulous Tim Minchin song in mind if they do:
What do we do to address the hatred we have seen, that has gotten so out of control? How do we ensure that we don’t end up going down that road again? That we stop threatening and abusing politicians, criticising them for their appearance - or the contents of their pants. Certainly that we leave their families well out of it.
I have a parody account of Christopher Luxon, which is used to mock his words, actions, and policies - not how he looks.
I do recall taking the piss when he cosplayed as a McDonalds employee but that was about the absurdity of the photo opportunity. What sort of lunatic would criticise someone decades later because of a part time job they had as a teenager?
The point is lampooning a politician, unlike threatening them or attacking their family, is normal. It has been part of political life for centuries. This example was in the news on Monday night:
Someone commented “Um... is it ok to imply violence against Luxon, then criticise those who do the same to Ardern?” I replied that “I don’t think Jimmy Carr making a joke about a bald man having an egg shaped head at a time when there is an egg shortage is seriously implying violence.” Yet there was a point worth discussing.
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