Rep. Doug Collins issues statement, rejects white nationalism

Press Release
Rep. Doug Collins
WASHINGTON – Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-Ga.) made the following opening statement at today’s hearing rejecting white nationalism.

Below are the remarks as prepared:

Ranking Member Doug Collins:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity for us to again condemn white nationalism. This is an unfortunate, though not unimportant, hearing. This ideology lies about the immeasurable yet equal value of every person. We saw those lies take root in the attacker who murdered Heather Heyer and injured others in Charlottesville. The attacker’s medical record shows he was ill. His mind was sick, but his heart was sick as well.

Rep Doug Collins

US Congressman Doug Collins

“I join every American who denounces hatred and violence wholesale. My Republican colleagues unanimously supported the resolution rejecting white nationalism and white supremacy this January, and we took action when the words of one of our colleagues ran counter to our values. American values share nothing ideologically with white nationalism. Nothing white supremacists claim resonates with any of us here today, and I appreciate the chance to consider how to combat the violence associated with this terrible ideology.

“People of every ethnic and religious background come to America because our republic affords them the liberty and safety unavailable in many corners of the globe. This country is committed to free thought, free expression, free press and blind justice — the very things that foster diversity and deter intellectually bankrupt ideologies like white nationalism.”

“Too often, we’ve seen white nationalism and other notions of racial, ethnic or cultural superiority end in violence — both at the individual and national levels. Hatred and racial superiority continue to play out in western China, where Uyghurs are being detained in reeducation camps and killed, and it has run rampant in Iraq, where ISIS fighters have murdered or enslaved thousands of Yazidis.

“Over and over again, history has warned us racism and hate mobilize people for violence and oppression. Why haven’t we learned these lessons? Why haven’t we hewed more closely to the ideal of “all Men are created equal” and other bedrock principles of our nation? The practical problem is our hearts run quickly to hate. We hunt for and embrace any data suggesting we are better than our neighbors. Are we more talented? Are we better looking? Are we more enlightened? Most importantly, do we have friends who agree our in-group is superior to an out-group?

“We remember today: Hate always makes its nest in pridefulness. So, when we examine the foundation of white supremacy, we realize the primary difference between white nationalist violence in America and ethnic cleansing or communist internment camps is scale, not substance. I think people with political campaign experience have witnessed firsthand how quickly people’s hearts become hate factories.

“With that in mind, I hope we use this hearing to pursue softer hearts and intellectual integrity. I worry that the majority’s true motivation for this hearing is to suggest Republicans are hateful, dishonest and somehow connected to those characters who truly spew hatred and act on it in the public square. As we all know, however, House Republicans led our chamber’s unequivocal rejection of white nationalism.

“To those who say we could have been clearer sooner, I hear you. We can’t afford to let racial hatred build a home in our nation’s capital, which is why it’s so unfortunate anti-Semitism has taken root in the House of Representatives even as we’re holding this hearing.

“We know white nationalism traffics in anti-Semitism. We know anti-Semitic violence has extinguished countless lives. What I don’t know is why the tolerance for Jewish stereotypes spilling from the mouths of some members is rising daily. Moreover, I don’t know why the majority finds it so hard to condemn such hateful language.

“According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic violence increased by 57 percent in 2017. So, I hope my friends across the aisle use this hearing to outline their plan to condemn anti-Semitism — a cornerstone of white nationalist ideology — in the House they control.

“People of every ethnic and religious background come to America because our republic affords them the liberty and safety unavailable in many corners of the globe. This country is committed to free thought, free expression, free press and blind justice — the very things that foster diversity and deter intellectually bankrupt ideologies like white nationalism. When the marketplace of ideas remains wide open, it’s easy to comparison shop — to identify and reject hollow, hateful worldviews. When justice is swift and blind, violence and abuse will not pay off. When power is shared among all citizens, authorities are less likely to oppress the people they’re meant to serve. In contrast, governments that attempt to restrain people’s hearts and minds — for whatever reason — pave the way to oppression and political violence.

“Americans have always understood these dynamics. Sadly, identity politics has divided us because we’ve forgotten our core political identity: Americans fundamentally recognize each of us is endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights and is individually responsible for their actions. In other words, our unity as a nation depends not on ethnic uniformity but on our equality as citizens. White nationalism denies this, and I sit here rejecting hate and violence of any kind.

I look forward to the witnesses’ testimony.”

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