Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
The right’s target on trans people is sharper than ever. Over the weekend at CPAC — which is the ultimate place to spread far-right ideas — a media troll named Michael Knowles took to the stage for his allotted time and said, “Transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely.” He said this would be for the good of society. I did not know that it was acceptable to say things like that about a group of people. Eradicate a people? It sounds like a hate crime. It sounds like yelling for someone to go ahead and fire on a crowded theater filled with trans people.
Knowles’ message, delivered from the stage of a televised conference that some people considered important, communicates that some of those who are considered thought leaders think transgender people are to be shunned, attacked, legislated into the shadows and killed. This sort of right-wing attack is normal, this is their playbook. Pick a group that’s pushing for more rights. Make them seem like the ruination of the spirit and the character of this country. Make it sound like they are impinging on the power of white people. No actual crime needs to be committed, no actual threat needs to be in place. Just tell white people that these are the people who are the reason the country is going down the tubes.
The right has done this by painting Black people as the ruination of America. They’ve subbed in gay and lesbian people, especially when they wanted to get married. They’ve also targeted immigrants…
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