The ongoing demographic and cultural evolution of American society is raising some difficulties for the hard left, which has traditionally gotten by with dishonestly accusing any opposition of bigotry. However, nascent shifts in the nation’s political landscape seem to be forcing left-leaning activist media outlets in particular to alter this approach.
The hard left is facing a new challenge in the form of a growing number of minorities becoming part of what they call the “far right.” Indeed, several outlets have published pieces detailing a “multiracial far right” and seem to be struggling with this novel trend.
Taking on the ‘Multiracial Far Right’
In the past, the existence of white supremacist hate groups gave Democrats and their allies in the activist media fodder with which to smear the overall conservative movement. The motivations and make-up of these groups were easy to pin down; they were a bunch of racist white people who openly sought to promote their brand of white supremacy.
These groups presented the left with a simple way to label Republicans and conservatives as bigots. Any group they could describe as “far right” could be lumped in with neo-Nazis and white nationalists even if their organization did not espouse or promote bigoted views.
A prominent Washington newspaper published an article recently that covered a number of different minorities involved in groups like Patriot Prayer, the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others. “The ‘multiracial far right,’ as it’s sometimes called, adds another layer to a fraught debate over how to address violent extremism, the top domestic terrorism threat,” the author wrote, adding:
“People of color are a tiny fraction of that world, but analysts say they play an outsize role in challenging perceptions. The common refrain that white supremacy is a main driver of the far right is complicated when Black or other minority figures speak publicly for Stop the Steal, the Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer and other factions that are under scrutiny. The trend is forcing new ways to think about, and talk about, the far right’s appeal.”
Of course, it is also important to note that leftists tend to use the term “far right” liberally (no pun intended). Nevertheless, as the article acknowledged, the increasing number of minorities in right-leaning groups presents an issue for the race-baiting class.
“We as people of color are more of an integral part of today’s mainstream society than we ever have been, and that means you’re going to find more people of color on the right,” said Daryle Lamont Jenkins, the head of hate-tracking group One People’s Project. “Which is fine, until it starts going to that far right. The fascist right. The neo-Nazi right.”
The Daily Beast also observed the new trend. A piece published in 2018 noted how groups described as “far right” are gradually becoming more diverse. Even worse, from the standpoint of leftist outlets, many of these organizations are explicitly condemning racism and have gone so far as to eject white supremacists who attempt to join their ranks.
From The Daily Beast:
“The Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer, which overlap, embrace an America-first nationalism that is less pro-white than it is anti-Muslim, anti-illegal immigrant, and anti-Black Lives Matter. ‘Proud Boys is [a] multi-racial fraternity with thousands of members worldwide,’ a lawyer for the group’s leader, Gavin McInnis [sic], said in a statement. ‘The only requirements for membership are that a person must be biologically male and believe that the West is the best.’”
Of course, it is not surprising that The Beast provided no evidence showing that either of these groups is “anti-Muslim,” and despite the fact that the activist media outlet is referring to them as “white supremacist groups,” the notion that opposing illegal immigration or Black Lives Matter connotes racism is absurd.
Daniel Martinez HoSang, associate professor at Yale University, pointed out that “Multiculturalism has become a norm in society.” It has become prevalent in corporations, conservatism, and even the far-right. The author acknowledged that “Patriot Prayer’s leader is Joey Gibson, who is half-Japanese and claims Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a hero,” while quickly adding that his rallies “have attracted neo-Confederates and neo-Nazis.”
Enrique Tarrio, the current leader of the Proud Boys, identifies as Afro-Cuban.
How Will the Narrative Change?
The fact that more minorities are joining with both conservative and far-right wing groups is causing trouble for the left in more ways than one. Indeed, in this instance, activist media outlets will need to update their messaging. If this shift continues, their usual modus operandi will become the rhetorical version of cassette tapes.
But this raises an important question: How will the hard left’s narrative change? The article discussed previously provides a clue, and one can already see the new tactics at play among Democrats and alleged journalists. Instead of focusing on bigotry alone, they will attempt to spin a tale about right-wing domestic terrorism. It is an issue they have already been injecting into the public consciousness since mere seconds after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
This isn’t to say that the left will give up the embrace of race-baiting. It’s just that the focus has shifted, for now, to attempting to convince Americans that anyone who vocally disagrees with them could be terrorists waiting to strike. The left will claim that conservatives, at best, are in agreement with the insurrectionists and, at worst, actively engaged in or planning some nefarious scheme. The question is: Will the public buy it?
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Read more from Jeff Charles.
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