Thanks for writing back. I actually agree and feel real pain about this. But I also am trying hard to understand why my students — including my queer and trans students (I teach queer studies)—are disenchanted. We need a radical change of party leadership to speak to their (my) real issues and fear.

Please read my other reply to you. You misunderstood me.

Just to coorrect: My statement does not reflect my vote -- I voted Dem. But I'm recognizing the truth of those who did not and hoping they will organize now to create real choices rather than having to stay home or vote for nonviable candidates. So I'm making myself clearer, I hope.

Young and leftist voters were of course correct in their assessment of and decision not to vote for the democratic establishment. Neoliberalism, climate failures, aiding genocide, insufficient responses to structural racism: the list is long. Organize now for new leadership. Waste no time.

As a performance studies scholar, I beg folks to please stop using the term “performative” in this incorrect sense. Performativity = processes whereby actions (including but not limited to speech) become efficacious. It creates actually existing power effects. It doesn’t mean (merely) “theatrical.”