Tucker Carlson and Our Outrage Culture

Is it too late to say sorry? Depends on who you ask, Justin. Earlier this month, Media Matters for America released audio of Fox News host Tucker Carlson using graphic language to describe Iraqi people, African Americans, gay people, and immigrants while speaking on a radio program between 2006 and 2011. Tucker’s shocking language with the shock jocks of Bubba the Love Sponge show has caused outrage on both sides of the aisle. Should he apologize? Should Media Matters have unearthed the footage?

Carlson is heard saying that Iraq is a “crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semi-illiterate primitive monkeys.” In another instance, he called rape shield laws “totally unfair” and said he would “love” a scenario involving young girls sexually experimenting. And when he described women, he used words such as “pig” and “c***.”

In response, Carlson refused to apologize, saying: “Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago. Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: I'm on television every weeknight live for an hour. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why.”

But this is not limited to the right-wing talk show hosts. A professor out of UC Davis now finds himself in the limelight due to comments about police officers. In a tweet from 2014, Prof. Joshua Clover said: “I am thankful that every living cop will one day be dead, some by their own hand, some by others, too many of old age #letsnotmakemore." Later, in 2014 he noted: "I mean, it's easier to shoot cops when their backs are turned, no?" In response to these tweets, California Assemblyman James Gallagher launched a petition to fire the tenured professor.

Both situations shock our consciences and in turn raise a host of questions, namely: should these men apologize? Should organizations perform opposition research against particular figures?

Regarding apologies, some say they shouldn’t. The past is the past, they say, and these comments were dug up with malicious intent. Besides, these entities want more than an apology. They will not be satisfied until someone is fired. Ben Shapiro summed up this line of thinking well:

“This sort of stuff makes for a worse country. It’s not meant to purify our public discourse. It’s meant to club to death opponents using the convenience of a Google search. The use of the tactic means that only the shameless (people who will never apologize for anything) or neophytes (people who have never said anything) or radical Leftists who will be let off the hook for anything (see Reid, Joy) will be tolerated. That’s the goal.”

While the cultural narrative pressures us to pick one side, the biblical narrative reveals the err on both sides. Tucker’s and Prof. Clover’s words were atrocious and Media Matters search efforts were malicious.

Instead of speaking life, Carlson degraded lives and the professor failed to give honor where honor is due. Their words were reprehensible all for the sake of a laugh and some likes. Shapiro is probably right that the offended won’t be satisfied with an apology. But do you only issue apologies when you know the hurt party will be satisfied? Or do you apologize when you realize you have done something wrong? Apologies aren’t contingent upon forgiveness.

Regarding Media Matters, they scoured the past to punish in the present. What was once a political campaign technique that yielded October surprises has turned into a year-long mud-slinging extravaganza. Such efforts sully Heisman trophy celebrations, take down potential Oscar hosts, and poison the public square indirectly by keeping good people from taking constructive stands.

To a certain degree, they exercise what C.S. Lewis called “chronological snobbery.” They apply today’s norms on yesterday’s ways and judge harshly, believing they would have acted morally superior. Instead of yelling “crucify him,” they believe they would be the ones trying to take Jesus off the cross.

Both of these stories have made headlines but they don’t accurately reflect reality. Arthur Brooks recently highlighted a study that indicated that 93 percent of Americans are tired of how divided we have become as a country. The headlines catch our weary eyes but they don’t accurately reflect the larger story.

As Christians, we can join the 7 percent – supporting Carlson’s comments or nodding with the professor – or we can lead the 93 percent. You can apathetically lament the current way or lovingly embody a better way. Don’t spew filth like Carlson and Prof. Clover. Don’t hold the past against people in the present. Unlike Zedekiah, we don’t take our cues from the culture but rather faithfully emulate God the Creator.

This side of heaven, it is never too late to say sorry. It is also never too late to extend forgiveness. Mark Twain described forgiveness as “the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” Instead of trying to “own” the other side through harshness or “destroy” the opposing side through research, let’s disagree respectfully and love unconditionally.