There is a diversity of views among the self-described alt-right. But the one unifying sentiment is racism — or what they like to call “racialism” or “race realism.” In the words of one alt-right leader, Jared Taylor, “the races are not equal and equivalent.” On Monday, Taylor asserted on NPR’s “Diane Rehm Show” that racialism — not religion, economics, etc. — is the one issue that unites alt-righters.
I heard this interview the other day on my way to work. I did consider Taylor to be racist. However, I also agreed with him that liberals have no problem with people promoting their own race so long as it is not white. Personally, I think the best alternative to racial identity politics is to focus on the American values that unite us. Politically, that seems to be a losing strategy these days.
Having said this,and having heard Jared Taylor, I don't believe his views are any more racist than those of Black Lives Matter. Perhaps the GOP can disavow the alt-right when the Democrats disavow Black Lives Matter, or even the Black Panthers. Why is it that we are always pushed by pop culture and the media to clean our house while their house has been a festering cesspool of racial animosity and divisiveness for generations?
With Stephen Bannon at the right hand of Trump, I would say the alt-right is more plugged in to the GOP at this moment than the neocons, and that may be why Jonah Goldberg feels so left out in the cold. Goldberg is very quick to point out the flaws in others' political philosophies, but is he willing to admit to the erroneous neocon thinking which led to the disastrous policies of the Bush years?