Christopher Rufo had a book-release party for "America’s Cultural Revolution" recently, and The New Yorker's Emma Green was there to tell about it. The idea of conservatives congregating at a Park Avenue hotel seems to have shaken The New Yorker — that's liberal territory. But there was Rufo, who recently announced the dismantling of Gender Studies at New College, and the rest of the "conservative pirates," talking and enjoying drinks, like normal people.
Good morning to all of my fellow conservative pirates. pic.twitter.com/krhxtq0KF8
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) August 14, 2023
It’s a witty piece that pokes fun at me while acknowledging my impact. I’m glad the writer quoted Jamelle Bouie denouncing me, as it will serve as an insurance policy against cancellation. The subtle reading is that it’s used ironically, as nobody takes Bouie seriously.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) August 14, 2023
It’s quite amusing that my position in favor colorblind equality is deemed a “race panic.” It prompts the question: What kind of system do we have now and why do they protect it so furiously?
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) August 14, 2023
Green observes:
Like everyone else in New York City, Christopher Rufo was sweating through his dark suit on a recent afternoon, as he grabbed an iced Americano after a long day of promoting his book “America’s Cultural Revolution.” The writer and activist—and “New York Times best-selling author!” he made sure to add—has risen to moderate fame with his campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion, having taken pains to brand those efforts as sinister. “On critical race theory, as a matter of public debate, we won,” he said. He had come to New York in triumph, and to be celebrated at a book party at the Mondrian Hotel on Park Avenue.
…
After the chat, Rufo posed for a picture with a producer for Newsmax, the right-wing TV outlet. As the waitstaff packed up the booze, Rufo reminisced with Armen Tooloee, his chief of staff. “We got surrounded by a mob of angry non-binaries in Florida,” Rufo said. Tooloee “walks in with the biggest smile on his face, like yea-a-ah. There’s cops everywhere. And Armen is in a state of bliss. He’s like a Buddha!” Tooloee, who has a groomed beard, said that he’d had a lot of practice dealing with progressive protesters as an undergraduate, when he ran a College Republicans’ “affirmative-action bake sale.” (Black students got cheaper cookies than white students, for example.)
“I work in a small town. I tinker with things,” Rufo said. “It’s very hard to understand that there’s any influence at all.” Aboard this pirate ship in a luxury hotel, he could finally taste it.
"Aboard this pirate ship in a luxury hotel"? We don't get it. Can someone explain?
I’m so jealous! “Conservative pirate” is an awesome name!
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) August 14, 2023
— Katya Sedgwick (@KatyaSedgwick) August 14, 2023
— ~🅻🅾🅽🆃🆄🆂-🆁🅰🅲🆁🅴🅵 (@lontusracref) August 14, 2023
— TheAlephNull (@ChthonicHydra) August 14, 2023
Do you actually dress like pirates?
— Phil Ammann (@PhilAmmann) August 14, 2023
— Chadwick Gemberton (@ChadwickGember) August 14, 2023
— Chadwick Gemberton (@ChadwickGember) August 14, 2023
Why do they always make their bad guys sound so cool?
— AffectiveAutism (@AffectiveAutism) August 14, 2023
"Right-wing inciter of Race Panic" is a epitaph to which we can all aspire.
— SaintStephenSays (@NewProtectorate) August 14, 2023
— The King's Secrets 🌴🐊 (@secret_du_roy) August 14, 2023
Ahoy matie!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BM0Am3Duh8
— Marooned in Marin ❌❌ 🇺🇸 (@MaroonedInMarin) August 14, 2023
Making conservatism sound bad ass.
— DriveBy Geek 🥃 (@DriveByGeek) August 14, 2023
ARGHHHH! 🦜 pic.twitter.com/tBuBKjy78o
— West Bestern 🛡️ (@western_bester) August 14, 2023
Last week I was inspired to learn from you that I am a “counter revolutionary”. Today I learn that what is even more awesome, I am a “conservative pirate.” It beats the hell out just being a grumpy old curmudgeon grumbling from a trash can. What fun!
— Darkage Possum (@DarkagePossum) August 14, 2023
They've made "patriot" a bad word; they could have gone with that. But pirates? That just sounds like winning.
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