My Interview With NPI President Richard Spencer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

My Interview With NPI President Richard Spencer

"Spencer and the Alt-Right are here to stay and will continue to bring certain ideas into the public eye."

69
My Interview With NPI President Richard Spencer
NPI

This past Tuesday, I had the privilege of interviewing Richard B. Spencer, the President of NPI. Over the course of the next hour, he and I discussed things from his ideological influences to his possible hopes for Radix Journal. However, perhaps the most important and interesting aspect of the talk centered on the 2016 Presidential Election and the future of the Alt-Right. We discussed the repercussions of a Clinton presidency and the possibility of Donald Trump merging onto the path of mainstream Conservatism.

Mr. Spencer pointed out that the Alt-Right movement has grown dramatically in the past 18 months. What was once a minor fringe movement has picked up an incredible amount of steam and credibility. The Alt-Right has gone from a minor, seemingly insignificant blip on the mainstream radar to a movement that has become an increasingly prominent force especially online. Spencer partially credits this growth to Donald Trump. Trump, being in the unique position that he finds himself in, has been able to start conveying ideas that are prominent in Alt-Right thinking. Trump has opened the door to a new wave of young, intelligent people who have ideas and beliefs that the mainstream, Liberal narrative deems racist, xenophobic and bigoted.

I asked Spencer what he believed would happen to the movement in the case that Hillary Clinton wins the election and whether or not the movement would continue to gain momentum or slowly phase out. He pointed out that it is entirely up to the people who have gotten behind the movement. Some could see a Trump loss as a defeat of the Alt-Right, give up and simply move on with their life. Spencer points out that this kind of thought simply weeds out those who were not truly committed. He says that these kinds of people, “are not needed and not wanted.” It is entirely up to those within the Alt-Right if they want to continue the push for change or simply fizzle out into the abyss. Spencer, however, showed no signs of slowing down.

As we continued to discuss the unfortunate, real possibility of a Clinton presidency, Spencer told me some of his ideas of what could happen with the GOP. He talked about the possibility of a purge within the Republican party. He hypothesized that there could be a possible purge of those who supported Trump or who were actively voicing their support for Alt-Right-centric ideas. Those in the media and the Party could find themselves as, in Spencer’s words, “persona non grata.” They could find themselves cast out from mainstream channels and nonexistent in the public eye. The idea of a Republican purge is a scarily real possibility depending on the outcome of the current Presidential election.

Spencer also discussed the possibility of the Alt-Right and the ideas associated with it could possibly become more mainstream, even in the political arena. We have already seen the rise of Trump-esque politicians in the likes of Paul Nehlen. He elaborates that while neither Trump or Nehlen have openly associated with the Alt-Right, there is the common ground of immigration stances, the threat of Radical Islam and a certain Nationalistic language. Spencer, although believing a purge could happen, seemed overall optimistic about the future of the Alt-Right and the ideas that have come with it. For now, it seems that the Alt-Right only has room to grow and the young people within the movement could possibly see the ideas associated with it, become more accepted.

My interview with Spencer was nothing short of enlightening and definitely enjoyable. He is intelligent, well spoken and offered some great insight into the future of the Alt-Right and the consequences of the 2016 election. Although the possibility of a Republican Party purge is frighteningly real, Spencer remains optimistic that the Alt-Right can continue to grow. The ideas that the movement centers around have been brought to the forefront of the presidential election and will continue to be important talking points in future political discussions with the rise of an increasingly shaky and threatening world stage. Spencer and the Alt-Right are here to stay and will continue to bring certain ideas into the public eye.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198670
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19952
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461691
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28784
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments