Just when we thought we had seen it all from MAGA true believer Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, she manages to surpass our expectations with her latest antics. In a theatrical feud with Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, Greene stoops to a new low, accusing him of using racial slurs, portraying him as physically threatening, and shamelessly fabricating lies. Her audacity leaves us speechless, almost impressed by her sheer stupidity.
The clash between the two representatives began on a fateful evening when Bowman and progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reportedly engaged in heckling Rep. George Santos of New York on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Their demand for Santos’ resignation, amidst a federal indictment, set the stage for Greene’s attention-seeking intervention. Chanting “impeach Biden,” seemingly as a diversionary tactic, Greene aimed to shift the focus away from Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez. (It’s worth noting that Greene herself introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden the following day.) As the exchange escalated, both Bowman and Greene engaged in a back-and-forth that resembled a collection of disjointed talking points rather than a meaningful dialogue.
What should not escape our attention is the racialized nature of Greene’s exaggerated claims about Bowman’s “threatening” behavior. Bowman repeatedly cried out, “The party’s hanging by a thread!” while Greene responded with “Impeach Biden!” At another point, Bowman called for an end to QAnon, and Greene retorted with “No more CNN.” In a plea to address gun control, Bowman was met with Greene’s response to close the border. If anyone is searching for a coherent point in this exchange, they are bound to be disappointed. Both representatives were clearly playing to the cameras, often sporting smiles as they created a minor spectacle.
However, it was Greene’s subsequent comments about the altercation that revealed her true character. During a news conference, she accused Bowman of yelling, shouting, raising his voice, and exhibiting aggressive physical mannerisms that made her feel threatened. Yet, video footage of the incident exposes Greene’s insincerity. Both individuals spoke at similar volumes, engaged in chanting, and even displayed playful behavior at times. Was Bowman heckling Greene? Yes. Was he being annoying? Yes. But did he behave aggressively or attempt to physically intimidate her? Absolutely not.
Greene went on to claim that Bowman had a history of aggression towards her, citing an incident where she alleges he led a mob to chase her out of a New York rally in April. Having been present at that rally as a reporter, I can attest to the absurdity of Greene’s claim. She was not chased by a dangerous mob but rather taunted by counterprotesters who drowned out her sparsely attended speech. Bowman did not lead the counterprotesters; he simply followed behind her as she departed in her car. Video evidence of Greene’s departure does not show Bowman behaving aggressively or inappropriately towards her.
We cannot overlook the racialized nature of Greene’s exaggerated portrayal of Bowman’s “threatening” behavior. Throughout history, people of color, particularly Black individuals, have been unjustly depicted as dangerous, providing a pretext for violence or dehumanization. Greene’s attempt to equate Bowman’s condemnation of her actions with calling a person of color the N-word is deeply offensive. The N-word represents the vilest slur in American English, symbolizing centuries of white dominance and the dehumanization of Black Americans. Comparing it to being labeled a white supremacist is both inappropriate and absurd.
Contrary to Greene’s delusions, “white supremacist” is not a slur but a descriptive term. While it can be misused or falsely accused, it lacks the historical weight and venom of a racial slur, especially one as abhorrent as the N-word. Bowman’s condemnation of rhetoric that “uplifts white supremacy” was justified, given Greene’s documented history of endorsing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, associating with Holocaust-denying white nationalists, and aligning herself closely with Donald Trump.
If Greene had simply stated that she found Bowman annoying, it would have sufficed. However, in her desperate attempt to portray herself as a victim in a non-incident, she reveals her white nationalist inclinations. Her racism and false claims have left the nation dumbfounded, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and a rejection of such toxic rhetoric in our political discourse.
