People dedicated to the ideals of free speech and open debate being gulled into giving a platform to those who don't believe in your rights. Bannon & his followers will not be dissuaded though a polite panel exchange. Instead, he will use @TheEconomist to legitimate his movement.
In the 1920s the Klan strategically used public events and subsequent media coverage as a way to expand their membership. Any reason to believe white nationalists are not using the same playbook? (thread)
Good liberals assume that by exposing vile ideas they are defeating them. But history suggests they are helping to spread those ideas, and legitimate them as a different and valid political perspective.
There are two plausible perspectives about white nationalist speech:
A) sunlight is the best disinfectant- being it out in the open
B) publicity is oxygen to their fire
If you believe in civil discourse you instincts are for the former. But Bannon & co are betting on the latter.
A) sunlight is the best disinfectant- being it out in the open
B) publicity is oxygen to their fire
If you believe in civil discourse you instincts are for the former. But Bannon & co are betting on the latter.
People have first amendment rights. But no-one has a right to a platform at The Economist, or an interview with NPR, a cushy university gig, or humanizing coverage at the Times. Theses are institutional choices that have consequences. Re the Klan:
