Beyond #OKboomer, Four Women of Four Different Generations Talk Politics

A 40-year age gap separates the oldest and youngest candidates in a crowded Democratic presidential primary field.

The slate of 2020 Democratic hopefuls is exceptionally diverse in age, hailing from a range of generations. Millennials, Generation X, Boomers, and the Silent Generation are all represented. What does this diversity in age mean for the voters? Does a candidate’s age influence support? Does your own age impact the way you vote?

A panel of all female voters, each representing a generation, join Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to answer these questions and discuss generational values and politics.

Brooke Soloman, a senior at Cass Tech and student organizer in Detroit represents Generation Z. She says age isn’t so much a factor as policy, and supports candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

“At the end of the day we are a generation who wants to see this systemic change and we are going to go with whoever can offer that.” – Brooke Soloman

Solomon also says transparency is paramount for Gen. Z, and that candidates who have slipped up in the past can be easily exposed by the generation born with immense internet savvy. 

Misha Stallworth, member of the Detroit Board of Education, speaks on behalf of Millennials. She is exhausted with the apparent “obsession” with Millennials and believes the generational divisions aren’t as stark as we are made to believe. She says that it takes a certain amount of personal responsibility and initiative to connect with those outside your own age group. 

“Accept humility to find common ground.”- Misha Stallworth

Ann Lewis, activist and artist from Detroit, is from Generation X and admits to being a healthy skeptic. Not unlike her Generation Z fellow panelist though, Lewis believes in broad structural change to the system of governance.

“You have to stay skeptical and speak truth to power.” – Ann Lewis

Sheila Cockrel, CEO of Citizen Detroit and former Detroit City Councilwoman, is a proud Boomer. She warns against this type of cancel culture exhibited by younger generations. She implores Gen. Z to extend some grace to those who have made mistakes and urges voters to see the forest through the trees.

“The process for making change is collaborative and multi-generational.” – Sheila Cockrel

Click on the player above to hear more from the panel about generational divides, politics and how to find common ground.