Duck Dynasty Family Statement

[Content Note: Homophobia; racism; Christian Supremacy.]

Following the Duck Dynasty patriarch's homophobic and racist treatise in GQ, and subsequent imposed hiatus by A&E, the Robertson family has released this awesome statement:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.

I don't have a whole lot to say about that heap of garbage, which pretends that there is One True Christianity and imagines that rank homophobia and racism doesn't incite or encourage hatred, because it's so thoroughly contemptible that it hardly necessitates comment among people with agreement about basic human decency.

I do, however, want to observe that the Robertson family (or whatever hired spinmaster composed this dreck on their behalf) is borrowing the new conservative spin on bigotry: It's not that the ides themselves are hideously objectionable; it's just about the way they were expressed. "While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse..."

Listen, conservatives: Bigotry isn't a problem that gets fixed with better PR. I am well aware of the conservative movement's investment in magic words and carefully constructed market-tested rhetoric. I am keenly aware of the history in which garbage policies (upwards wealth redistribution) have been sold to voters with clever sound bytes (trickle-down economics). And while you may still get away with some race-baiting and homophobic fearmongering and misogynist oppression using dogwhistles designed for your "traditional" base, the ongoing problem for your dwindling rump of a movement is not that the words you use to express your bigotry aren't pretty enough—it's that your ideology is unconcealably ugly.