The horrific mass shooting in Buffalo (one of over 200 hundred mass shootings in the first five months of 2022) appears to have been inspired by the false and racist "great replacement theory" that has been actively spread by Fox News' Tucker Carlson and embraced by some of the highest levels of Republican leadership, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, the 3rd ranking Republican in the House.
The Anti-Defamation League called for Carlson's firing over a year ago for his dangerous rhetoric, but Fox News continues to condone Carlson's spreading of this deadly lie. And while Republicans censured Rep. Liz Cheney and stripped her of her leadership position for speaking the truth about Trump's Big Lie, they have taken no action against Stefanik (who now holds Cheney's former position as GOP conference chair) or other GOP proponents of this racist theory that nearly half of all Republican voters have come to believe.
So today’s Office Hours question(s):
What can the rest of us do to push back against the spread of this deadly hate speech? And what should responsible news organizations do? Should every Republican in every interview be asked if they will denounce white nationalism and the great replacement theory before the interview can proceed?
Eager to have your thoughts. (I’ll chime in as well.)
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