White Christian Nationalism and the 2023 Montana Legislature
Earlier this week, the Montana super-majority party voted to scapegoat Representative Zooey Zephyr because she would not submit to their tyrannical suppression of free speech and the right to peaceful assembly. I admit Speaker Matt Regier has a different perspective on his decisions to silence an oppressed minority.
Regier was triggered when Zooey spoke against Senate Bill 99, which denies a vulnerable minority of young Montanans access to medical treatments supported by a long list of the most reputable professional medical organizations. Furthermore, the treatments SB 99 prohibits for these young people and their families are recommended and accepted by sound medical science. The likely result of this egregious bill is an increase in suicides within this oppressed minority group of young people.
The super-majority party in control of Montana politics holds a variety of ideological beliefs, but one of the dominant ideologies is White Christian Nationalism. The adherents to this ideology are not offended by the label. On the contrary, they proudly insist that their view of religion, history, culture, politics, and education are superior to all other belief systems. The Regier family, Keith (father), Matt, and Amy, currently hold a great deal of power over the lives of everyday Montanans. They are perfect examples of…