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How much do I not want to touch the Candace Owens flag-burning comments? A lot. But here we go anyway. This thread is for people who care about conservatism and care about the message of conservatism winning. If that's not you, this isn't for you.
I told this story in 2016, a few weeks after the election. I went out to dinner and learned 8 of my 11 closest friends voted for Trump and this was, frankly, surprising.
These are mostly educated urbanites, immigrants or kids of immigrants, not who most picture as a typical Trump voter. (I didn't think most were going Hillary but I thought they either wouldn't vote or 3rd party it like I did.)
Protests against Trump's election had been happening and some protesters were burning American flags. My friends felt better than ever about their pick. Fuck those flag burners.
The day I saw them was the day Trump tweeted this: and they were super into it. All of Twitter, of course, mocked Trump. But people who are not eternally online loved it.
Did anyone write anything back in 2016, from a conservative perspective, on why flag burning must be permitted? If they did, I can't find it, and I looked. As I tweeted at the time, ideas, even the basics, have to be explained over and over. And then explained again.
So back to today and Candace Owens. I don't know her and this thread should not be construed as defending anything she says but as conservatives wring their hands about an ever-more liberal youth, Candace actually goes to colleges and, wait for it, talks to the students.
Is she wrong about flag burning? Yes! She's wrong. So maybe instead of spending the day mocking her, explain to her why she's wrong. Be respectful. She is doing the work we all say we want done. (If you don't want that work done, please see 1st tweet in thread)
56% of Americans support a Constitutional Amendment banning flag burning and lest you think Trump made people crazy...that was in 2006: news.gallup.com/poll/23524/pub… But don't worry, it's about the same now: cato.org/survey-reports… Is Candace out of touch or are we?
Americans largely think burning the flag should be a crime! 72% of Republicans, 60% of Democrats, even 53% of Dems. And their Twitter betters don't even engage on it other than to laugh at them? Did 2016 just never happen? Trump is speaking to those people, so is Candace.
Older conservatives pointing and laughing should take the opportunity to teach and mentor her. She's young and she came up in a time when making outrageous comments gets you fame. But she's also resonating with young people in a way you (and me) probably are not.
Like many of you, ahem, I'm not a 1st Amendment expert but if you are, hey, write about this! Make your argument. Explain why it will never be illegal to burn the flag & a healthy, strong society deals with it & points & laughs at people who think they can hurt us by doing that.
But the pile on on Candace does not do conservatism any good. If you don't like her brand of conservatism, take the time to educate her. She actually seems like she'd be receptive to conversation.
I've changed my mind a lot in the 12 yrs since I was Candace's age. And I wrote many stupid things which I now regret.
Urg, 5 tweets above should be "72% of Republicans, 60% of Independents, even 53% of Dems."
I don't say this about every Loomer or Tomi or whatever. Candace is not some talking head. She's an activist and seems to be a pretty good one. She's a messenger, help her with her message.
Don't high five your friends for dissing her on this website which, it bears repeating, does not matter and is not the real world.
This is not about liking Candace. It's about talking to people already somewhat on "your side" and convincing them to your point of view. When conservatives stop doing that the vacuum will be filled by those who will. /end
