Will Richard Spencer Be ‘Texan Of The Year’?

New Face: White nationalist and leading ‘alt-right’ figure Richard Spencer addresses a crowd at Texas A&M University in December. Image by YouTube

By Ari Feldman December 27, 2017

The Dallas Morning News has listed Richard Spencer as a finalist for its “Texan of the Year” designation. Other finalists include first responders to the Sutherland Springs church shooting and major Texas philanthropists.

Spencer, the face of American white nationalism, is a Dallas native, though he now lives in Virginia.

“His speeches and writings represent a new breed of white supremacy that seeks to sound mainstream while adhering to the same ugliness spouted by the likes of former KKK leader David Duke,” the Morning News’ editorial board wrote.

“This designation is not meant as an award but as recognition of those Texans who had uncommon impact, which can be a positive or negative impact, during the past year,” the editorial continued.

The editorial adds that Spencer has had success in packaging his message of white nationalism by appealing to economically disadvantaged whites. They also noted the violent tendencies of his followers and Spencer’s role in the Charlottesville riots in August, which resulted in the death of one woman.

The Salt Lake Tribune recently named Utah Senator Orrin Hatch “Utahn Of The Year” for his negative impact. The paper cited the role Hatch played in “dismantling” the Bears Ears monument and his leadership of the Senate Finance Committee in changing the tax code.

Ari Feldman is a staff writer at the Forward. He covers Jewish religious organizations, synagogue life, anti-Semitism and the Orthodox world. If you have any tips, you can email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @aefeldman.

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