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by orionsbelt 280 days ago
I am not going to argue that many members of the "American Right" are not racist. Many of them are openly and disgustingly so. But we are talking about half the country, and a group that has as many in-group differences as the left.

I am not an expert in Charlie Kirk (I barely knew anything about him a week ago), but from the many many clips I have seen of him since, he seems to me to genuinely not be racist.

It's not worth debating whether DEI and affirmative action are problematic are not. We probably disagree, and this is a waste of both of our time. But in terms of this story, the simple fact is a journalist should not be misquoting someone. If one thinks he's racist by subtext, one can try to argue that, but at least be honest about what he's literally saying.

3 comments

this "half the country" statistic needs to stop being thrown around, of the eligible voters only 64% actually voted, of those about 50% voted republican. Not even a a third of the country.
I don't think I was arguing for the merits of a quota system. I believe they are not effective. But that was not my point. It is irrelevant what facade is being used. It is just window-dressing for something despicable.

That was my point.

He can you find him not racist, when he is clearly so, and antisemitic, and generally xenophobic all around?

Kirk controlled most of his communication but the mask falls when he is around people on his "side" (podcasts or events).