Every cheesy, albeit bad, coming of age highschool movie has a bully. We all know the type. Someone that goes out of their way to put down the protagonist and belittles them in every possible way. The dialogue can even make them go as far as accusing the protagonist of fabricating a traumatic event that occured in their past. Usually this bully has a background that makes them the worst character imaginable. Bender, from The Breakfast Club, had a really bad relationship with his dad that made him act out. Billy Hargrove, from Stranger Things, struggled with the death of his mom and began acting out for attention. As for the bully of this story, there is no excuse. Aside from complete and obvious white privilege. Tucker Carlson, the frontman of the bullies within Fox News. When talking about media bias, this station is one of the first that comes to mind for democrats in America, but never republicans. They hang off his every word, like the posse that blindly follows the bully around throughout the entire movie. This blind trust of Carlson’s every word is horrifying, especially when Carlson makes ridiculous claims such as the ones he made regarding racism in America only a couple months ago. These claims completely disregarded the severity of white supremacy in every way, and his republican audience ate it up, even when these claims are fairly easy to debunk. White supremacist acts are quite possibly the most harmful thing within our society, but right wing medias constant belittlement of it is just as harmful.

“The combined membership of every white supremacist organization in the country would be able to fit inside a college football stadium” (1:08)

Carlson makes a point to claim that there are few and far white supremacist groups in America today. This claim is so obviously a misconception, especially given the recent events that transpired at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Shortly after these riots, FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump himself, held a press conference to discuss the events. In one article, the Jordan Fisher, from WUSA9, points out that “[Director Wray] said white supremacists are responsible for the most lethal attacks over the last decade”. Many conservatives were quick to disregard these comments, assuming it was another cover up for ANTIFA. But an article for The Washington Post made it apparent that the bureau had stated several times that there was no evidence to support ANTIFA’s involvement in the riots. Even statistically speaking this claim can be debunked. According to Jason Wilson at The Guardian, hate groups have risen 55% during Donald Trump’s presidency alone. He states, “[n]ationally, there were 155 hate groups counted [in 2019], and they were present in most states.” Hate groups are ever present across the nation and across the world. The fact that they are continuously swept under the rug like this, just a problem for later, is an entire problem in and of itself. This fantasy that hate groups exist few and far apart is just that, a childish and incredibly irresponsible fantasy. 

“A hierarchy […] of problems this country faces, where would white supremacy be on the list? Right up there with Russia, probably” (0:52)

At this point, Carlson begins claiming that if white supremacy existed, it would fall short in importance in comparison to everything else going on in the world lately. While there are several large issues regarding the US as of late, I would argue that white supremacy ranks at the very top of this so-called “hierarchy.” FBI Director Wray told the press conference, covered by many articles, which took place after the Capitol rioting, that violent extremism of the racially motivated type takes up the biggest chunk of the FBI’s domestic terrorism portfolio. He then stated that the FBI elevated racially motivated extremism to their highest threat priority back in June of 2019. All this being said by someone with much more authority and knowledge on the matter than a right wing newscaster. White supremacy obviously belongs high up on this hierarchy, but in all honesty it’s not very comparable to anything else going on in the world considering it has been around for hundreds of years and how violent and disgusting it is. You cannot simply say something is low on the hierarchy if it doesn’t affect you personally.

“It’s a conspiracy theory used to divide the country” (1:23)

Carlson begins to point fingers, calling white supremacy a conspiracy brought on by the liberal agenda. Many news outlets, and conservatives in general, have made this claim, as if it wasn’t a major issue long before the election in 2020. As far as white supremacy goes, liberals are not innocent. They are just as guilty of white supremacy as conservatives are, sometimes without even knowing it. Proud boys, a far right all male organization that commits political violence within the United States, would be one of the most obvious examples of violent white supremacy in America, but it certainly doesn’t end with just violence. Ursula Moffitt from The Conversation noted in her article that “[p]roud boys are putting white supremacy in the headlines, but it doesn’t have to be extremely visible to exist.” All forms of media and certainly all forms of politics can contain white supremacy. Liberals wouldn’t want to conspire white supremacy, because they are extremely guilty of it as well.

“It’s a talking point which they are using to help them in this election cycle” (1:51)

Carlson tries, and succeeds, to convince his audience that white supremacy is no more than a made up part of liberal media as a result of the election. This is another very popular claim to make among conservative media. This claim is so astounding to so many because “[w]hite supremacy was an issue long before Donald Trump or the Capitol riots, it started with slavery and lynchings and never ended.” White supremacy isn’t some scheme deliberated by liberals to win the election, it didn’t even begin with the election. An FBI Director, who was given his job by former republican President Trump, has stated time and time again how white supremacy has been the biggest issue regarding America for a while. It’s a talking point for the election for no other reason than major politicians aiding in the end of white supremacy being incredibly long overdue.

“[White supremacy’s] actually not a real problem in America” (1:01)

Carlson says, in the midst of his tangent, that white supremacy doesn’t exist in America. This is possibly the most shocking claim that Carlson makes during the clip, considering the staggering amount of evidence there is to support the fact that there is white supremacy apparent in America. A man shot 9 black people in a church in Charleston, SC, because he thought they were taking over the country. Another man in El Paso murdered 23 Mexican Americans in a Walmart because he believed they were breaking into the country to ensure democrats won the election (Morrison). These ideas were drilled into their head by past generations due to lack of change across America, and that drove them to the murder of countless innocent people. White supremacy isn’t just shown with violence either, but the lack of representation minorities get in books, television, movies, and so much more. “White people don’t have to be white supremacists to benefit from the way it shapes America.” This claim coming from Tucker Carlson proves how much white privilege he, himself, has for being able to tune out these issues his whole life. I have never had to read a book or watch a superhero movie without seeing someone that looked like me, the same does not go for everyone and that has to change. Something needs to change.

In light of recent events, with Derek Chauvin and George Floyd, the topic of white supremacy and its dangers is more relevant than ever. The recognition that this country was built on the enslavement of human beings and the fact that our current status of policing roots from slave patrols set in place to recapture escaped slaves is so important to understand. Especially now. Issues like white supremacy have been ignored and cast aside for hundreds of years, and the down play of the topic is just as dangerous as ever. Listen to minority voices, hear their stories, talk to them, respect them, because we, as a society, haven’t been for a long time. Their lives and voices matter just as much as anyone’s. They always have.

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