Thread by @juliettekayyem

A note on replacement theory (RT) since #BuffaloMassacre. RT has come to be used by its critics for a broad array of issues across legal and policy disagreements. We should stop. We risk diluting RT's violent underpinnings and help its proponents wiggle out of consequences. 1/

As I've noted many times before, RT is about eliminating the "other" in a world where opportunity is limited: us or them, me or you. #stochasticterrorism is the means. When political and media leaders promote RT, they promote random violence but maintain plausible deniability. 2/

You see that now; they too are diluting RT, claiming it is merely a reflection of accurate demographic shifts in this country. Those shifts are real, but they of course don't call it a demographic issue. They call it RT for a reason; RT justifies violence. It is unique, evil. 3/

Think about the word "lynching." We, whites, take away the particular import of that word to the Black community if we use it too liberally. Conservatives want us to dilute RT. Tt helps them maintain that it isn't actually what it is but just a proxy for political divisions. 4/

I don't anticipate this will mean much in the noise. But I can't help thinking that we are doing the RT proponents bidding by losing focus on its meaning. The words risk becoming generic, muted. 5/

They aren't just words to be thrown around for all we disagree with. RT is based on justifying elimination and promoting violence of Blacks and minorities. If everything is Replacement Theory, then nothing is.
6/6
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…