White Supremacist grifter Steve Bannon, formerly of Donald Trump's Presidential administration, has made quite the new career for himself as a lucrative speaker on the journalism and big thinker circuit.
The New Yorker was rightly pilloried for inviting Bannon to speak at a recent conference. After criticism, they reconsidered, and rescinded the invitation.
The Economist invited Bannon to speak at its conference in London, and received thoughtful and passionate essays, letters, and pleas against their decision, too. They are going ahead with it. Former Economist employee Justin Hendrix explains why it's such a terrible idea.
Here's his Twitter thread.
1/ As a former employee of @TheEconomist– I worked there on the publishing side for ~12 years- I bought a ticket to its #OpenFuture event, but am leaving my seat empty to join the @riseandresistny protest outside against Steve Bannon's role in the event. pic.twitter.com/58qf7Erneg
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
2/ You can read @zannymb's statement on why the newspaper chose to host Bannon at this event. I know this statement was the product of a great deal of discussion and debate in the editorial department, and included perspectives from outside it. https://t.co/Ln57tbxiKq
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
3/ But here is the reality- while The Economist is an important voice in world affairs- and for liberalism- it is tragically confused on this issue. Part of the reason is that almost no one there has anything personally at stake. Look at the masthead: https://t.co/eB4Ewz1GPX
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
4/ In 1939, when the physical threat against Europe was real, The Economist knew where its stood. https://t.co/hIpse7nkaG
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
5/ Today, mostly white liberal elites cocooned in 7 World Trade have nothing to lose from cozying up with Steve Bannon and a nice cup of coffee. They will tell each other they are for free speech, that they are critical thinkers. Bullshit. pic.twitter.com/kJ6WogHcgH
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
6/ They would do well to read @zephoria, and contemplate what giving Bannon this platform means. https://t.co/MdZSatvP29
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
7/ Bannon is a voice of hatred. His work on this earth has harmed millions. His putrid perspective is not worthy of the "severe contest" between ideas The Economist was founded to pursue. Indeed- this is his work. https://t.co/KLytlgd9r4
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
To my friends at @TheEconomist, to @zannymb– I know you will continue to consider this decision going forward. I hope you will take urgent action to diversify your ranks. We only get to an #OpenFuture if we deny those who themselves would deny the future to those not like them.
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 15, 2018
