Why The American West Is A Hotbed Of Extremism

Conservation author and historian Betsy Gaines Quammen lives within the coronary heart of Bozeman, Montana — a metropolis and a state which have been inundated with rich transplants in recent times, thanks partially to pandemic-era migration out of city areas and the hit TV Western collection “Yellowstone.”

Lengthy-standing myths concerning the American West — together with the notion of the area as a limitless open frontier the place freedom is paramount — are additionally reshaping Montana and different Western states, as Gaines Quammen particulars in her current ebook, “True West: Fable and Mending on the Far Facet of America.” Because the West has turn into a increasingly more engaging vacation spot for folks to settle, it has additionally turn into an more and more welcoming house for far-right extremism to take root.

In “True West,” Gaines Quammen takes pains to dismantle what she refers to because the Western “fable museum,” and presents options for how one can struggle again in opposition to a rising tide of misinformation and extremism.

“It’s ever extra necessary for folks, in truths, to have the ability to navigate interconnectedness,” Gaines Quammen informed HuffPost. “We can not fall prey to those reductive methods of pondering. And there are such a lot of politicians who need us to try this.”

Gaines Quammen calls “True West” a companion piece to her first ebook, “American Zion,” which chronicled Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and his household’s feud with the federal authorities over grazing cattle on public lands. The Bundys, who’re Mormon, consider they’ve a divine proper to lands that had been lengthy occupied by Indigenous peoples and are actually owned by all People. The Bundys helped energize a far-right, anti-government militia motion, a few of whose members went on to struggle in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and take part within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.

HuffPost just lately spoke with Gaines Quammen about “True West,” private misconceptions she needed to confront throughout her analysis, the specter of so-called “conspirituality,” what she views as “our nation’s most hopeless fable,” and flicks and TV reveals which have formed our notion of the American West.

The next interview has been edited for size and readability.

I need to begin with a query about the way you see the West that you just name house. As you so clearly lay out within the ebook, myths and misperceptions are rampant, typically layered on prime of each other and accompanied by misinformation. Reduce by the noise for a minute: What’s the West?

For those who’ll sort of indulge me, it’s named “True West,” which is meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, as a result of what’s the true West? The concept was, there actually isn’t a real West. All of us sort of have our model of it. In variations of the West, that took me proper to mythology, as a result of the West is such a mythologized place. I really feel like these myths are completely foundational to what People consider themselves.

I’m certain you may’t make that sweeping generalization. There are People that don’t purchase into, you already know, this concept of limitless assets, this concept of Manifest Future, the adoration of the cowboy, these items that we take into consideration after we take into consideration the West.

The true West, it’s actually within the eye of the beholder. I discuss concerning the West as a proving floor, a homeland, as having the seeds to a few of what occurred on Jan. 6.

“True West” opens with you touring the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum with its director, Robert Canen. The museum, situated in Glendive, Montana, presents as indisputable fact that the Earth is 6,000 years outdated and dinosaurs and people roamed on the similar time. You argue that whereas such beliefs aren’t essentially harmful on their very own, the logic behind them is. Discuss that. The place are you seeing comparable dogma in nationwide politics?

It’s this concept of pondering in lockstep. With Robert — who, I’ll say, is a pleasant man. I imply, he completely was enormously beneficiant with me. He was very variety. However there’s the concept, when it comes to being a biblical literalist, that it’s a must to purchase the Bible 100%, that there’s no room for any form of questioning. So when he reads Genesis and he reads it not as a spiritual textual content, however as a scientific textual content, he takes from it that the world is 6,000 years outdated.

When you begin to query it, you’re beginning to make waves. [Robert] would make the argument that after you make these waves, then your questioning turns into an existential disaster. You’re by no means going to really feel content material, you’re going to be an sad Christian. So it’s higher simply to consider the Bible cowl to cowl.

For those who’re a Christian nationalist or a fundamentalist evangelical and you start to say, “I see the Bible as an attractive sacred textual content with some fantastic classes, however I don’t purchase it 100%,” you’re not strolling in lockstep. These are cultures that must have folks purchase every thing and never query, whether or not that’s the layers of patriarchy or the layers of dominion — go forth and subdue the Earth — or [the idea that] Donald Trump is the patriarch. If these are issues that they’re adopting and so they’re saying, “You need to consider all of this” — this concept that when you query something, that brings up problems with loyalty. It’s mainly all-or-nothing pondering. And after you have all-or-nothing pondering, you’ve got a bunch of people who find themselves not going to be swayed by proof or persuasive arguments or essential pondering. It’s harmful.

Of all of the myths you throw chilly water on within the ebook, which do you discover most problematic or harmful for Western communities, particularly as they face the mounting impacts of local weather change?

One of many issues that I really feel is basically necessary is the truth that we have to be in dialogue with each other. As Westerners, we’re on the forefront of local weather change. We’ve got fires, we’ve got drought, we’ve got floods, and we’re working out of water. If individuals are not in dialogue, that’s actually problematic, as a result of even individuals who don’t consider that local weather change is human-caused, they’re nonetheless experiencing the impacts. These are nonetheless choices that we have to make as communities.

So I believe this concept of limitless assets is extraordinarily problematic. This concept of rain following the plow, which predates any concept of local weather change, was a fable that one way or the other when you introduced agriculture to a land, that was going to make it rain extra. That’s very harmful.

Additionally, these concepts of the West as a homeland. That, to me, is basically fraught too. As I talked about in “American Zion,” when the Latter-day Saints got here out West, they’d a notion of homeland, and that was positioned on prime of Indigenous homelands. So there have been these layered homelands.

Now you’ve got the American Redoubt [a conservative, Christian movement whose followers are relocating from blue states to Idaho, Montana and other inland northwest states], coming in, making an attempt to create homelands right here. So you’ve got this Christian nationalism, that basically does really feel like they’re ready for a civil battle or the second coming. That’s actually, actually impacting communities. I occur to have simply extremely fierce buddies, who’re conservative Republicans, who’re combating tooth and nail in opposition to extremism within the Idaho Panhandle. The parable of homeland is basically harmful.

By way of local weather change, when you [accept] biblical literalism, “God will present, we don’t actually have to fret about it. It’s God’s plan.” That was form of the way in which folks had been fascinated about COVID, too.

Are there any private misconceptions had been you pressured to confront whereas researching this ebook?

The factor that I actually needed to come to phrases with is that I moved out west due to the concept of wilderness. That may be a fable. We had this concept that the West was an untrammeled place, the West as pristine, and that’s an erasure of Indigenous folks.

I’m on the board of WildEarth Guardians, which is a conservation group that simply does actually fantastic work. We, as so many different conservation teams, are attempting to grasp how we see panorama and the way we’ve got to understand the truth that public land is Indigenous land, within the sense that when early preservationists got here in to ascertain parks and whatnot, there was this tendency to erase the cultures that had lived there. I believe it’s been a great train for me to actually take a look at the form of myths behind the Wilderness Act, for instance. That stated, I completely a million % love the West for the general public lands. I’m simply so grateful for them. And I’m additionally very, very dedicated to, in my small method, habitat and ensuring these lands proceed to be viable for wildlife populations.

By way of mythology, it’s actually incumbent upon all of us to be all the time how we see issues and unpacking them and higher understanding them.

All through the ebook, you highlight a number of motion pictures and TV reveals that painting the West in sure lights — “The Patriot” being your least favourite, “Useless Man” being probably the most correct. One you don’t point out is “A River Runs By It,” the 1992 movie that popularized Montana fly-fishing. I’m questioning the way you suppose that movie impacted our collective pondering of the West?

It did put Montana on the map. I’m fairly ambivalent about fly-fishing. Norman Maclean’s ebook [that the movie is based on], it’s beautiful. It truly is, and the film was pretty. However when you’ve got one thing in popular culture that basically appeals to folks, and so they come to a spot with sure expectations or a really slim method of seeing issues, I believe it’s problematic. I actually suppose that individuals transferring in with expectations based mostly on what Hollywood is telling them creates plenty of issues.

What about “Yellowstone,” the hit TV collection a couple of household that owns the biggest ranch in Montana?

Individuals had been cooped up. Abruptly they noticed Kevin Costner and these sweeping vistas and this freedom that one is afforded when one lives in Montana. It form of had its second at a time of historical past that basically amplified these myths that the present was presenting, and the consequence was folks actually shopping for locations sight unseen. I can not inform you what number of actual property brokers stated that individuals talked about “Yellowstone” as one of many causes they wished to maneuver right here. Anywhere I went within the nation and I discussed Montana, the very first thing they’d say is, “Have you ever seen ‘Yellowstone’?” I imply, it was a phenomenon.

I used to be significantly within the a part of the ebook the place you dive into the phenomenon of “conspirituality,” the mixture of conspiracy idea and spirituality. You cite an article through which two social historians make the case that individuals are drawn to such pondering as a result of they need to be a part of a secret that “distinguishes them and makes them really feel superior to the unenlightened public.” Are you stunned that this longing to really feel particular has, in lots of circumstances, meant folks throwing logic to the wind?

I’ve considered this loads. A part of me thinks, “Oh my God, how is that this so extremely prolific? Or, “How is that this so extremely widespread?”

I believe there are some things I’d attribute it to. The pandemic had everyone remoted and at their laptop and determined for info. Algorithms took folks down rabbit gap after rabbit gap. However I believe that there was this huge craving for neighborhood. Once more, this sort of goes again to the entire concept of biblical literalism, like it’s a must to purchase one thing hook, line and sinker. You’ll be able to’t simply say, “Properly, perhaps Invoice Gates is placing microchips in folks, however I don’t consider they’re bathing in blood.” I believe that unexpectedly you needed to simply purchase the entire thing. That’s neighborhood. You’re both with us or in opposition to us.

I additionally suppose that there was strain placed on folks. Not solely had been they remoted, lonely, looking for neighborhood ― folks had been actually imply to one another on social media. When any person would query one thing, they’d get beat up on. I ponder if a part of it was in some methods coerced? It was simply actually unusual, the way in which folks communicated with one another, in and round these points.

After which how a lot blame will we placed on native newspapers disappearing? Or the truth that we weren’t socializing in PTA conferences or going to numerous issues the place you converse with folks and you’ve got relationships with folks, and also you’re form of working in actuality? We had been working in a really remoted and form of daunting chapter. I do suppose a part of it, too, is [that] it did stress folks’s psychological well being. When you have a chance and also you’re susceptible, you’ve got a neighborhood and this collection of sort of thrilling realities — perhaps extra so than a pandemic, however extra “deep state” and thrilling form of issues — however you’re simply aware about it. It’s your secret.

That’s all dopamine. There’s a thrill of getting folks like what it’s a must to say. So when you’re saying one thing outrageous and individuals are liking it, I believe you’re extra inclined to try this. Then it’s a must to surprise how many individuals actually did consider it and the way many individuals had been simply selling it as a result of perhaps they had been beginning to monetize it or no matter. I believe there have been one million totally different causes that this was occurring, however I do suppose that exploded.

The Bundy household, which you’ve adopted as carefully as anybody, is featured prominently all through the ebook — from their standoffs with federal brokers, now seen as precursors for the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, to their battle in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. You write that the Bundy story is a “western model of the American Dream” and that “the American Dream is our nation’s most hopeless fable.” Shine some mild on that for us.

I’ve considered that phrase over and over — like, was that the proper phrase to make use of? We’re dwelling in an period the place generations are actually not attending to the financial stage of their mother and father. And but, we’ve got this perpetuating concept of the American dream — when you simply work a bit more durable. I write concerning the American dream simply because I believe it’s been very motivating to those people popping out of the Patriot motion, who need to set up themselves as heroes.

This fable of going out and dealing onerous and making your self into any person, that America is the place you’re in a position to do that, is a fable that basically is so elusive to so many individuals. We all know it’s not a matter of working more durable. We all know that we live in an period the place it’s onerous to purchase property, it’s onerous to save cash. We’ve got a well being care system that may bankrupt folks in a single day. And so if we’re actually seduced by that, I believe it’s hopeless. To not say that there aren’t alternatives for folks. I believe there are. However I believe that this concept of the American dream, it’s actually unfair.

Within the ebook, you sit down face-to-face, typically in small-town espresso retailers, with plenty of wild characters — individuals who don’t share your political opinions — in an effort to grasp them, what they’re afraid of and what makes them tick. I used to be significantly moved by your interactions and correspondence with Lance Kalfell, a cowboy who admitted to being “radicalized” in recent times. Inform us a bit about Kalfell, your ongoing friendship and what he has taught you concerning the significance of dialogue and debate with folks of various stripes, so to talk?

I’m so enormously keen on him. He was such a great lesson for me. After I first met him, I had a sure opinion of him as a result of the primary dialog I had with him, he stated, “I’ve been radicalized.” Having written about and researched that sort of tradition, it gave me pause. After I went and frolicked with him, he was so open, so gracious, so humorous. That is my dangerous. He’s so well-versed in his areas of experience.

I believe there’s a bent, and it’s lazy, for people who find themselves liberal to form of not give sufficient credit score to individuals who have totally different opinions than us. I believe it was a reminder to me to not be lazy. I’ve now been out to see him quite a lot of occasions. Final time I went, I took my dad and it was simply so enjoyable. [Lance] continues to be only a brilliant spot in my life. I simply admire him a lot. I actually like the concept he and I might be actually forthright with one another. The opposite day I requested him, “How are you doing, Lance?” He simply stated, “I’m all proper, however I’m nonetheless recovering from studying your ebook.”

I sort of hope that this ebook challenges everyone, as a result of it challenged me. However I really like that he learn it and I really like that he might say that to me.

(Notice: After spending time with Kalfell, Gaines Quammen doesn’t really feel “radicalized” is a good characterization. “He was mad, however nonetheless open minded,” she stated.)

Is that sort of open dialogue the reply to the West’s myriad issues? And the way will we make that occur amid such rabid polarization?

I’m not naive sufficient to suppose it’s that straightforward. There actually are dangerous guys. I imply, I don’t suppose that it’s going to do anyone any favors when it comes to therapeutic polarization to go and have conversations with people who find themselves extremists, who’re Christian nationalists which can be creating homelands, taking on faculty boards and being actually confrontational. There are some folks on the market which can be completely poisonous.

That stated, there are lots of people who’re good folks, who perhaps have low info however need to shield their communities from extremists. I’m what’s occurring in Idaho and I’m feeling actually hopeful with actions like Take Again Idaho, the place they’re conservative Republicans however are going into communities and so they’re not letting the extremists have the loudest bullhorn. They’re actually making an attempt to create extra info to name out people who find themselves coming into communities and making an attempt to create like-minded locations of Christian nationalists.

I do have hope in dialog. I do consider there are lots of people who don’t want their communities to fall prey to extremism. I believe that the worst factor that we are able to do is simply say, “Oh, it’s inevitable,” as a result of extremists will win until we’re in dialogue with one another.

The ebook is titled “True West.” Why ought to somebody in, say, Maine or New York learn this ebook?

This ebook is basically about the way in which America thinks of itself. These myths, whether or not we’re conscious of them or not, are very foundational to America. I believe it’s actually necessary for folks to grasp the West, in methods which can be deeper than what Hollywood offers us.

This ebook is basically about how the myths of the final place settled in America by Europeans, how they nonetheless permeate the way in which that People take into consideration themselves. And the way they proceed to nonetheless be poisonous. How it doesn’t matter what, as people, we’re a myth-making species. We’re by no means going to stay in a spot with out myths, nevertheless it’s incumbent upon all of us to grasp them.