This week I was joined by ProPublica’s Alec MacGillis to talk about his recent essay reviewing the videos from the Capitol Hill riots posted to the far-right social media site Parler. Alec argues that those who broke into the Capitol were far more ordinary - and a lot less strategic - than many have assumed. As he argues in his piece, “There undoubtedly were some dangerous organized elements within the mob that attacked the Capitol. But what is scariest about these videos is that they show the damage that can be done by a crowd of unorganized Americans goaded and abetted by the leaders of an organized political party. The radical fringe is a cause for concern. The thousands of regular people whipped into a murderous rage is the real nightmare.”
This was a very insightful discussion; was eye/ear opening to hear how organic the storming was - speaks volumes to the entitlement people have, and how they operate under different set of rules for themselves. Whole heartedly agree with the point that we shouldn't "overlearn", or overreact.
I do want to point out the description given to the people who were at the riot - men were coming from "casual office Friday", women from the "book club / mall / lunch downtown". As much as I condemn what these folks did, please be thoughtful about stereotypes.
Appreciate this site and the work you do, thank you!
This was a very insightful discussion; was eye/ear opening to hear how organic the storming was - speaks volumes to the entitlement people have, and how they operate under different set of rules for themselves. Whole heartedly agree with the point that we shouldn't "overlearn", or overreact.
I do want to point out the description given to the people who were at the riot - men were coming from "casual office Friday", women from the "book club / mall / lunch downtown". As much as I condemn what these folks did, please be thoughtful about stereotypes.
Appreciate this site and the work you do, thank you!