Guest opinion: What outhouse messages say about Montana GOP

We are deeply disturbed by the outhouse labeled the ?Obama Presidential Library? that was parked outside the Montana GOP?s convention last weekend in Missoula. It was painted to look like it was riddled with bullets. Additionally, it promoted racist conspiracy theories and contained derogatory remarks about female public officials. While its offensive nature is hard to overstate, it did symbolize the worst of right-wing ideology.

The outhouse lacked identification for who was responsible for it; however, it appears to be the product of Republicans from Ravalli County. GOP leadership allowed it to remain throughout the weekend, and they didn?t condemn its content. The closest they came was Will Deschamps, chairman of the Montana Republican Party, admitting the content wasn?t in good taste, but he said he wasn?t going to ?agonize over [it].?

Violent imagery

We think Deschamps and his peers should?ve done some critical thinking about the outhouse and the problematic and offensive messages it sent. First, there were the bullet holes targeting the president. We need to recognize that the threat of violence (or violent imagery) mixed with the public debate is not an indicator of a healthy democratic process.

Vigorous debate during election season is an American value. However, this clear implication of violence is not acceptable. Words, images, and metaphors matter. By not condemning the outhouse, the GOP threw a safe environment for our democratic process in the toilet.

Media reports said the outhouse promoted the discredited ?birther? conspiracy theory regarding President Obama. The conspiracy claims Obama is not an American citizen and, therefore, not the legitimate president of the United States. Numerous news agencies have discredited the claims, and Obama even released his long-form birth certificate to try to end the controversy. However, many ?birthers? believe that document is also a fake. The outhouse promoted a conspiracy that is racist at its core ? the only way an African American can be president is through a decades-long, sinister plan that involves faking birth documents.

Demeaning women

Finally, the outhouse referenced Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi in the context of ?For a Good Time Call 800?.? Over the past few years, the right wing has waged a broad-based political attack on the rights of women that is well documented, from opposing contraceptive coverage to equal pay for equal work and everything in between. The outhouse provided an example of the right wing?s derogatory and dismissive views regarding women and their contributions to society.

The outhouse may not have been an officially sanctioned exhibit at the Montana Republican Party?s convention last week. However, it did represent the trifecta of right wing ideology by promoting racism, sexism, and the threat of violence against political opponents.

Our communities deserve better. By not removing the outhouse or adamantly condemning it, the Montana GOP legitimized ideology that flushes facts, gender equity, racial equality, and a safe environment for the democratic process down the drain.

Article source: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/guest-opinion-what-outhouse-messages-say-about-montana-gop/article_55c18a1a-0a1c-582d-9a41-f0a01ea60431.html

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