Published 18:15 IST, November 8th 2019
'Ok Boomer': Young New Zealand MP shuts down heckler in Parliament
'Ok Boomer', said an MP making people 'mad' during her climate change speech by addressing her opposition New Zealand parliamentarian Todd Muller with the term.
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Chloe Swarbrick, a 25-year-old politician from New Zealand, made 'some people mad' at the parliament by calling older lawmakers "OK boomer" after they interrupted her speech on climate change. "Boomer" is the term used for a baby born between 1946 and 1964. Yet the term has been considered derogatory as the new generation uses it to show disgust over the older generation. It is mostly used on platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
Explaining her usage, Swarbrick said that boomer is a state of mind. As the politicians were doubting all the facts provided on climate change by her in a speech she used it to express the collective frustration.
Swarbrick spoke for Zero Carbon footprint
Swarbrick made the usage during the interruption in her presentation as a ground for the Zero Carbon Bill which aims to reduce the carbon levels in New Zealand to zero by 2050. She told the speaker of the parliament that world leaders have kept the hazards in the behind the doors. Yet the current generation does not have the luxury to keep it closed. Inferring the generation that has led to climate change, Swarbrick said that in 2050, she will be 56 years old. Yet, right now, the average age of the 52nd Parliament is 49 years old. Opposition spokesman for climate change, Todd Muller, interrupted her at the same point.
Swarbrick paused and said, "Ok, Boomer".
Netizens hails Swarbrick, opposition unhappy
Social media has hailed Swarbrick for using the term. Critics see "OK boomer" as ageist. New Zealand lawmaker Christopher Bishop expressed that "unpopular and non-woke opinion" in a tweet. On the other hand, Mueller wondered how long Swarbrick would remain a "millennial force for change".
I’m wondering whether in 2050 when @_chloeswarbrick hits her mid fifties, will she still be the millennial force for change or will she quietly reflect that those Gen X’s knew a thing or two. I of course will be very focused on the next cup of tea.😂 https://t.co/1LufTzKxjF
— Todd Muller MP (@toddmullerBoP) November 6, 2019
15:20 IST, November 8th 2019