The end-all and be-all of memes emerged out of the inauguration…
In a move that transcends the presidential, Bernie Sanders now owns the internet. All he needed was the right mittens and a countenance of equanimity, rising above to see into the center of all being and nothingness.
Like a zen monk or Yoda on steroids, he accomplishes all by doing little, even nothing, beyond his mind bending position and posture. Ever modest and with a meaningful invisible wink, he disavows any knowledge of his splendor or any plan to conquer all:
“I was just sitting there trying to keep warm, trying to pay attention to what was going on,”
-Bernie Sanders / Interview Late Night With Seth Meyers
Meanwhile, there has been a meaningful and valid response to the triumph, and it all gets back to a t-shirt and mittens.
Now that there has been an endless stream of replication and iteration based on the genius moment, we best begin at the beginning and trace this new species of viral wonderfulness back to its humble source: the photo:
Bernie’s mittens are made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt. She gave them to him 2+ years ago and was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. pic.twitter.com/ErLr29lY2t
#BernieSanders We love the Bernie memes being shared all day. Taking special requests where do you want to see Bernie? Bernie – our heart will go on pic.twitter.com/zPSJVlfuSG
And to you, Amazon, you can not have this meme for your endless self-aggrandizement, and here is the obvious reason why:
On #PrimeDay, let's not forget. During the pandemic, Jeff Bezos became $97 billion richer by increasing prices by up to 1,000% on essential items and denying hazard pay and paid sick leave to over 450,000 of his workers. It's time to break up Amazon and tax the rich.