Categories
Criticism Election 2012 Palin Politics The Opinionsphere

The Victimhood Complex of the Right-Wing

[reddit-me]Andrew Breitbart, while claiming to be some sort of serious journalist, more closely resembles the papparazzi that hound celebrities. (And as he apparently regularly checks any blog references to himself: Hello Andrew, and welcome.)

The stories he has broken seem to place as much emphasis on the “reporter” as on the subject — most notably the pimp at ACORN — but today’s newest right-wing talking point (in video form) is similar:

More bothersome to me than this shallow and callow approach to news is what it reveals about the story of victimhood that seems to so excite the right-wing these days.

I remember a time when the right-wing thundered in righteous indignation over the subversive and un-American nature of claiming moral authority and material advantage by victimhood — the core of the conservative critiques of affirmative action, political correctness, hate crimes, the value of diversity, and welfare. They highlighted with glee any case where race-baiters, scammers, or any other purported victim claimed race, gender, or some other prejudicial factor without good cause. But that was the 1990s. By the 2000s, right-wingers had begun to adopt the tactics of those few authentic race-baiters as their own.

In 2008, Sarah Palin mastered this flip — flinging charges of sexism and misogyny against all of her critics as she winked and engaged in name-calling and gutter politics. She was a post-modern demagogue — and excited all the passions for and against her that demagogues rely on to gain power — but she explained away all criticisms of her as part of her victimhood, as a right-winger and a powerful woman. It was a brilliant move.

Marked by Sarah Palin’s rise, the right wing has constantly claimed victimhood: Michelle Bachman warned of concentration camps for conservatives; Rush Limbaugh claimed he was on the president’s enemies list; Glenn Beck declared that his words were so powerful, powerful people were attempting to silence him; Matt Drudge warned that the FCC was considering enacting a tax that he called, “a Drudge tax;” TownHall sent out emails claiming conservatives would be denied medical treatment under ObamaCare;  and of course, Sarah Palin herself has posited giant conspiracies against her, and positioned herself as the victim of her neighbors, bloggers in Alaska, her daughter’s one-time boyfriend, David Letterman, Katie Couric, Rahm Emanuel, and of course, the “lamestream media.”

Andrew Breitbart himself doesn’t seem to claim to be a victim. He happily engages in political war. But the news his sites promote are consistent with this culture of victimhood that has come to dominate the right-wing. There are few better examples than this video as discussions of policy or of politics are left behind in favor of a short video in which a right winger is shown as the victim of the left. Congressman Bod Etheridge’s reaction was no doubt inappropriate. But calling this an “assault” is such a glaringly obvious attempt to play the victim. It’s unclear how much the video was edited — but the facial blurring of the anonymous college student further adds to the obviousness of this attempt — but in typical Breitbart fashion, it has the potential to extend the story as the identity of the student is released in the coming days.

This culture of victimhood is pernicious because it is self-reinforcing — and helps insulate the right-wing from adapting to political circumstances — and may even, in the worst of all worlds, lead to the Republican nomination of Sarah Palin for president.

21 replies on “The Victimhood Complex of the Right-Wing”

Can I just say what a aid to find somebody who really is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know learn how to carry an issue to light and make it important. More individuals must read this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more in style since you undoubtedly have the gift.

Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Fantastic job!

The very crux of your writing whilst sounding agreeable initially, did not settle well with me after some time. Somewhere within the sentences you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a very short while. I however have a problem with your jumps in logic and you might do well to fill in all those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I would certainly be amazed.

Thanks a lot for the helpful post. It is also my belief that mesothelioma cancer has an very long latency interval, which means that indication of the disease would possibly not emerge until finally 30 to 50 years after the preliminary exposure to asbestos fiber. Pleural mesothelioma, and that is the most common kind and is affecting the area within the lungs, may cause shortness of breath, torso pains, including a persistent coughing, which may bring about coughing up blood vessels.

I used to be suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this put up is written by means of him as nobody else recognize such special about my trouble. You are amazing! Thank you!

Superb blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any recommendations? Many thanks!

I will immediately grasp your rss feed as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me realize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.

Good post. I learn one thing tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It would at all times be stimulating to learn content material from different writers and apply a little bit one thing from their store. I’d choose to use some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

I just like the helpful information you supply to your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am fairly certain I will learn a lot of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the following!

One thing is always that one of the most typical incentives for utilizing your cards is a cash-back or perhaps rebate supply. Generally, you will get 1-5 back for various purchases. Depending on the credit card, you may get 1 again on most purchases, and 5 back on buying made using convenience stores, filling stations, grocery stores and also ‘member merchants’.

Thank you for every other great post. The place else may just anybody get that kind of information in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such info.

Fantastic blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?

Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the concepts you have contributed here. Furthermore, I believe there are numerous factors which really keep your car insurance premium down. One is, to take into consideration buying vehicles that are from the good listing of car insurance companies. Cars that are expensive are definitely more at risk of being robbed. Aside from that insurance is also using the value of your car or truck, so the higher priced it is, then the higher this premium you have to pay.

That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for looking for extra of your wonderful post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks!

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: