Rosalind S. Helderman writes in a front-page article in today’s Washington Post:
“After attending Trump’s inauguration, Jared Taylor, another high-profile white nationalist, posted a piece to his website in which he wrote that Trump is “not a racially conscious white man” but that there “are men close to him — Steve Bannon, Jeff Sessions, Stephen Miller — who may have a clearer understanding of race, and their influence could grow.”
In an interview, Taylor said he was “speculating” and that he has not met or spoken with Miller.
Miller said he has “profound objections” to the views advanced by Taylor and Spencer, saying: “I condemn this rancid ideology.”
Elder, who is black, said he has never heard Miller speak of Spencer or Taylor or express what he considers racist views.
Instead, Elder said, Miller believes as he does: “Race and racism are no longer major problems in America. This is the fairest majority-white country in the world. If you work hard and make good decisions, you’ll be fine.”
Miller said that his views at the time were best summed up in a 2005 column in the Santa Monica Mirror, titled “My Dream for the End of Racism,” in which he argued that Americans should focus on how far the country has come in overcoming such prejudice. “No one claims that racism is extinct — but it is endangered,” he wrote. “And if we are to entirely extract this venom of prejudice from the United States, I proclaim Americanism to be the key.”
Focusing on “multiculturalism,” he wrote, has had the effect of keeping different groups separate.
Miller’s White House role is in many ways a departure for an activist who has mostly seen himself as representing an oppressed political minority. Now he holds the power, helping to drive the government while working steps from the Oval Office.
Bitner said he wonders how Miller’s tactics will translate.
“I don’t think he’s had the opportunity to practice this,” he said. “These are all outsiders, many of them people who have been vocal minorities. How do you transition from there to governing?”
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Summary: White guy is born into a well-to-do family in Southern California. Leads life of privilege and opportunity. Goes to diverse high school and is offended that Mexican Americans and other fellow students of different backgrounds are unwilling to accept the status quo and also want their “piece of the pie.” Voluntarily adopts borderline racist, white supremacist philosophy that converts him into a “persecuted minority” within his own privileged class. Like former boss and mentor Attorney General Jeff Sessions, bristles with righteous self-indignation when anyone has the gall to accuse him of sharing the noxious philosophies of those who have consistently applauded and felt empowered by his rise. Now holds position of power in government he basically despises where he can actively shove his extreme and divisive philosophy down the collective throats of the majority of Americans who don’t share his negative outlook. I suppose that it’s an overall positive for the American political system and its freedom of expression that even a self-created “philosophical minority” like Miller can find success.
PWS
02/11/17