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[Thread] In an interview for @CdAPressNews, two right-wing Idahoans make their case for ethnopluralism. That’s not a word we see every day, but because of its influence within alt-right and white nationalist movements, it’s well worth taking a closer look: cdapress.com/local_news/201…
The two Idahoans describe immigrants as “invading this country,” which they perceive as an existential threat to “our identity” and “our culture.” Their solutions? Closing the borders and segregating populations by race, culture, or heritage. 
But whose identity and culture are these two ethnopluralists talking about preserving, exactly? “A European heritage.” Unsatisfied with this vague answer, @CraigCDAPress pushes them on this question: would this include @Giannis_An34, an immigrant from Greece with black skin? No.
The idea of ethnopluralism isn’t new and has a long-running association with far-right & neo-fascist movements around the world. In Europe, it’s been a key component of the Nouvelle Droite (New Right) & its founder Alain de Benoist (more on him in a bit). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnoplur…
In their book “In the Tracks of Breivik, ”@matsdeland, Michael Minkenberg, and Christin Mays describe how ethnopluralism embraces xenophobia as simply a part of human nature, advocates for “global apartheid,” and promotes an end to racist violence through ethnic cleansing.
The authors also point to the antisemitism & antiziganism that accompany the concept of an ethnopluralist utopia. This relates closely to what @BulldogShadow lays out in his important essay, “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism.” politicalresearch.org/2017/06/29/ski…
Among the most prominent proponents of ethnopluralism is French academic Alain de Benoist, whose ideas have influenced & inspired far-right movements throughout the world (including in the US), earning him the title of “spiritual father of the alt-right.” buzzfeednews.com/article/lester…
Alain de Benoist’s work helped influence nationalists like National Policy Institute leader Richard Spencer; Jared Daylor, who founded the white supremacist American Renaissance magazine; and white nationalist Greg Johnson. thedailybeast.com/the-french-ide…
De Benoist is well aware of his influence within alt-right and white nationalist circles, and he’s met in-person with Richard Spencer for events hosted by the National Policy Institute. qz.com/1176355/how-ri…
This isn’t the first time Kootenai County has been targeted by people who believe in a “separate space for every race.” In her book “Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement & Paramilitary America,” @kathleen_belew explains how this idea brought white power groups to the NW.
Many of these groups came directly to Idaho, including the Aryan Nations, and used rhetoric quite similar to today’s proponents of ethnopluralism to recruit people into their ranks: “All we heretics ask for is the northwestern part of the USA […] Let us pull away in peace.”
Brave community members in Kootenai County have stopped this before, & we can stop it again. Don’t fall for the latest white nationalist buzzwords! Connect with your neighbors to organize efforts to push back against these groups & their bigoted agenda. csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…
We must build a moral barrier against these hateful ideologies & fight for an inclusive democracy where all people can live, love, work, & worship free from fear & bigotry. With your support, we’ll keep up the fight: Chip in now to help grow our movement! secure.givelively.org/donate/western…
