When Chelsea Clinton heard that Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, had been chosen to headline this year’s New Yorker film festival, she responded, while quoting writer Roxane Gay, that The New Yorker and The Economist were complicit in the “normalization of bigotry.”
For anyone who wonders what normalization of bigotry looks like, please look no further than Steve Bannon being invited by both @TheEconomist & @NewYorker to their respective events in #NYC a few weeks apart. https://t.co/u0TDfCYrQ1
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) September 3, 2018
Clinton’s response referenced Bannon’s beliefs, which reflect white nationalism (a label which he has rejected despite criticisms that he had legitimized such policies as a member of the White House). Shortly after Clinton responded to the Bannon controversy, a Twitter user by the name “Deplorable Kristi” accused her of “bullying” Bannon.
It’s almost like Chelsea is bullying Bannon on Twitter. But Democrats are the party of tolerance. 🤔 https://t.co/MdWzxaGlTb
— Deplorable Kristi (@KAG4Eva) September 4, 2018
Clinton soon responded, telling the user that “naming prejudice isn’t bullying, nor is it impolite.”
Hi Kristi – naming prejudice isn’t bullying, nor is it impolite. And, those of us who have not had to endure “tolerance” because of the color of our skin, our religion or who we love have a particular obligation to do so. Have a blessed night. https://t.co/yoh3MvEYkO
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) September 4, 2018
The response earned Clinton praise across the board.
@ChelseaClinton is the friend we all needed on the playground who would always have our backs.
— . (@KodiGaddis) September 4, 2018
Chelsea for the high-road twitter win. Every single time.#Class #WeGoHigh
— TKresist (@sixkopps) September 4, 2018
It’s funny/unfortunate that some are trying the teach you about bullying.. like you aren’t acquainted with the subject 🤦🏻♀️
— Daphna (@daphna27) September 4, 2018
Thankful that you use your voice and position to stand up for those who can not.
— (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) September 4, 2018
I bet Chelsea was painting her last nail while typing this tweet. She is the kind of poised I want to be sometime before I die. Such a gift she has for kindness.
— Ironsharky (@IronSharky) September 4, 2018
The announcement from David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, that Bannon would no longer headline the magazine’s upcoming festival came after an exodus of high-profile names who said they would not participate should Bannon headline the event. Like Clinton, these individuals––a list which includes film director Judd Apatow and comedian Patton Oswalt––said allowing Bannon to participate would normalize hate and bigotry.
