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Lauren Boebert would never survive Alan Berg today
Perhaps some readers remember Alan Berg, the liberal Denver, Colorado radio show host who was shot thirteen times at his home in 1984. Certainly, he was considered outspoken, even abrupt and confrontational when giving his views on atheism and politics but no-one should be murdered for that.
Reading Stephen Singular’s book Talked to Death about the life and death of Berg led me to wonder what he would make of today’s scene. What might he say about Colorado Congresswoman, Lauren Boebert? I can only imagine.
Berg was targeted for being Jewish, and for criticising white supremacy. His fame came with responsibility and made him vulnerable. He bravely ridiculed violent right-wing groups on air and they had the last word.
Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Centre, Alabama, said that Berg’s murder was the opening shot of the radical right…[showing that they were] willing to countenance the mass murder of American civilians for their cause.
Among those Berg antagonised were members of the Christian Identity movement who proclaimed that Jews were Satan’s children. In addition, The Order, which was a faction of Aryan Nation, found Berg’s opinions intolerable.
