Actions Have Consequences?
A Michigan state representative espoused the racist “great replacement” theory online. His Democratic colleagues finally had enough.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before a Republican elected official endorses the racist and antisemitic “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory on social media. His or her Democratic colleagues denounce the official and call on them to apologize. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t. But there are seldom consequences beyond that.
Michigan State Representative Josh Striver recently made news for doing this. Striver retweeted a “great replacement” meme from Jack Prosobiec. Striver was condemned by his Democratic colleagues but offered no apology in response saying instead "I'm opposed to racists, race baiters, and victim politics. What I find strange is the agenda to demoralize and reduce the white portion of our population. That's not inclusive, and Christ is inclusive! I'm glad Tucker Carlson and Jack Posobiec are sharing links so I can continue my research on these issues."
Normally this is where the story would end, but not in Michigan. Striver’s colleagues in the majority Democratic Caucus made a different choice. This week, they took away Striver’s staff and committee assignments in the state house.
Explaining his decision, Speaker Joe Tate said, ”I will not allow the Michigan House of Representatives to be a forum for the proliferation of racist, hateful, and bigoted speech. The House of Representatives is the people’s house, and all Michiganders should look upon this body and take pride in how we conduct ourselves. It is also a workplace, and I have a responsibility to make sure the employees of the House feel safe and secure.”
The consequence here shouldn’t be remarkable. Especially in the context of a state house (or the Nation’s Capitol) being a workplace. Most workplaces would fire an employee who espoused racist views and cite the safety of other employees as a reason. And amplifying a racist conspiracy theory where believers were known also to make threats and incite violence. But generally,, that’s not what happens when it’s an elected official. Even though their co-workers and other staff in the building feel less safe, these folks are rarely held accountable for their actions.
Michigan Democrats in the State House have the majority, and they’ve clearly had enough. I’ve written previously about Michigan’s long history with militia movements and how some of those folks were able to take over the Republican party. A party currently tearing itself apart. There was also the plot that right-wing extremists hatched to attempt to kidnap Governor Whitmer. Any of these issues alone would be enough to make the workplace environment in the State Capitol uncomfortable. So I’m glad to see the Legislature draw a line about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.
Michiganders should expect better from elected officials, something Speaker Tate pointed out in his statement. But this kind of rhetoric and behavior has been so normalized. Senators and Members of Congress now routinely lean into great replacement rhetoric in their remarks and on social media. There are few, if any, consequences for supporting and amplifying a racist conspiracy theory, outside of elections where a majority of American voters are clearly sick of the Republican Party’s rhetoric, idealogy, and agenda.
Most Americans don’t want to live in a fascist hellscape, and I’m confident that most of us don’t want our elected officials to use their office to amplify racist conspiracy theories and incite violence. More elected bodies should follow Michigan’s example and hold elected officials who espouse “Great Replacement” or similarly harmful rhetoric accountable.
ICYMI
AI Companies Agree to Limit Election ‘Deepfakes’ but Fall Short of Ban (Washington Post)
It’s been interesting to see Open AI and other tech companies with an interest attempt to avoid the mistakes of 2016, or at least create the perception that they are. Time will tell how serious (and effective) this effort is.
The Biggest Online Threat to 2024 Elections Isn’t AI (Washington Post)
That said, I remain less concerned about emerging technologies and more worried about the systemic failures that continue on the tech platforms. Grateful to Will Oreamus for the reminder and for amplifying a new report on where Tech still falls short.
How the Collapse of Local Newsrooms Made All Politics National (Columbia Journalism Review)
This piece from politics reporter Cameron Joseph is a couple of weeks old but well worth reading. I think the rise of cable news and social media contributes to how nationalized American politics currently are, but the local news deserts absolutely play a role in how we got here.
Coda
My Grandfather passed away this week. If you’re a longtime reader or you follow me on social media you’ll probably recognize him. Because he always referred to Senator McConnell as “That sonofabitch Mitch McConnell.” And would remind you how he’d disliked McConnell ever since he first ran for office in Jefferson County. A story I referred to often.
Papaw was a proud Teamster, and Democrat but an even prouder grandparent and great-grandparent. One of my boys and I were just talking to him the day before he died, and in our last conversation, he reminded me to enjoy the boys while they were little because “it all goes by so fast.”
Good advice for us all.
I’m taking next week off, and there won’t be a newsletter. Publication will resume on March 4.
Good to learn that there are Dems who still have a backbone.
I can hardly wait for this to happen in dc when we have all of the majorities. I sure hope that Michigan is a harbinger. Sorry for your loss.