It’s a teaching moment for young Republicans — and their party in general

The recent revelation of racist and anti-Semitic messages in a Young GOP group chat has caused hurt and outrage — and rightly so. For black and Jewish Americans who have recently joined or are considering joining the Republican Party, such incidents reinforce painful fears — that their presence may not be fully welcomed, or worse, may be publicly mocked.

At a time when the Republican Party is expanding its tent and building coalitions across diverse communities, these revelations are especially profound. They send a dangerous message that hate still has a safe haven in the corners of the conservative movement. Although chatting may represent a fringe view among young conservatives, remaining silent or dismissive of such behavior risks making it seem acceptable — or even normal.

This moment requires more than just condemnation. It requires responsibility.

Young people are not immune to mistakes, nor should they be automatically “cancelled” or excluded forever. But they are not exempt from accountability either. Individuals who shared or encouraged these offensive remarks must understand the real-world impact of their words. For black and Jewish members of the Republican Party, this wasn’t just an insulting joke — it was a slap in the face, a painful reminder of past and present marginalization.

Most importantly, this moment should be seen as a crucial learning moment.

Hatred is not instinctive. It has been learned. Tolerance and empathy must also be taught. The question is: How do we turn shame into growth instead of just punishment? Here are some examples of public figures who illustrate how recognition, confrontation, education, and transformation can occur:

• Myers Leonard, a former American basketball player, used anti-Semitic statements during a video game broadcast. He later apologized, said he “didn’t know the meaning of the word at the time” and vowed to learn more about hate speech.
• Deshaun Jackson, an NFL wide receiver, in 2020 posted anti-Semitic content on social media, then issued several apologies. He pledged to educate himself, and accepted meetings with Holocaust survivors and anti-hate organizations.
• Julian Edelman, a Jewish NFL wide receiver, responded to Jackson’s posts by offering to accompany him to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, emphasizing the connection between anti-Semitism and racism and urging uncomfortable conversations.

These cases show that public error need not serve as a permanent seal on the soul; It can become a driving force for self-reflection, education and change. For young Republicans participating in the conversation, this is the model to which they should aspire — even if their context is very different.

To this end, institutions such as the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and other organizations dedicated to eliminating racism, anti-Semitism and intolerance provide essential tools for transforming ignorance into awareness. Party leaders should request or strongly encourage participants to engage with these resources—visiting exhibits, hearing survivors’ testimonies, and studying the history of hate. Only when young people are exposed to the real historical consequences of racism and anti-Semitism can they understand the harm caused by seemingly “harmless” comments.

If the Republican Party is serious about becoming a home for all Americans, it must deal with such incidents quickly, with moral clarity and a commitment to growth. Discipline may be necessary, but education is the most enduring tool. The party’s future – and its moral credibility – depends on whether it is able to turn a moment of failure into a moment of learning, integration, and renewed unity. Let this be the moment when young Republicans learn not only how to avoid hate, but also how to actively oppose it.

Y. David Scharf, an experienced attorney and community leader, is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the New York law firm Morrison Cohen and Head of the Government Strategies and Controversies practice. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the company.