By MichaelMH Published Dec. 14, 2022
White nationalism has been gaining ground in the US, and Gavin Wax is one of its most vocal supporters. The president of the New York Republicans Club appeared on Steve Bannon's podcast this week to double down on his calls to wage a "war" against American liberals. His comments were met with a great deal of criticism and condemnation from both sides of the aisle, as they were seen as inflammatory and potentially dangerous. But are Wax's comments as alarming as they seem?
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On the surface, yes! It is genuinely concerning when someone in a position of power speaks so casually about waging war against another group of people. But if you look at what Wax said, there are some elements that should not be overlooked here. For starters, he was quick to point out that any war waged should not be physical or violent, it should take place in the media, courts, and culture instead. This suggests that he is looking for a way to fight against liberal policies without resorting to violence, which is something we can all agree on.
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There are still aspects of his rhetoric that are deeply troubling and need to be addressed. Wax seemed determined to paint liberals as some kind of enemy rather than simply political opponents. This is a dangerous message for anyone in his position to spread; it could lead those who share his views into believing that their political foes must be eliminated rather than debated or discussed with respect. This type of language only serves to further polarize our already divided nation and increases animosity between those on either side of the aisle.
Wax needs to learn Words Matter More Than Ever Before!
My Take
Gavin Wax is certainly trying to stir up emotions amongst Republicans with his bellicose rhetoric but whether or not it will work remains to be seen. While it is true that Democrats have been able to mobilize more effectively than Republicans in recent years, it is unlikely that any real progress can be made without an understanding of what exactly we are fighting for and why we must do so with such aggression. Considering all this, Wax’s call for war may be more bluster than substance, but only time will tell if anyone else takes up arms in what may be, yet another culture battle waged on America's playgrounds.