Given the recent Charlottesville alt-right conglomeration, it has become extremely apparent that white people are having a considerably difficult time denouncing neo-Nazism and white supremacy. Weird, huh? You’d think given how Nazis were handled in the 40s and how frequently Hitler is referred to as the worst man to ever live that Americans would be better equipped to diffuse and dismantle these violently oppressive ideologies. Of course, like always, that’s giving way too much credit to white moderates and centrists. And troubling enough, this politically dormant liberal pool continues to increase in size.
Why is it so difficult for white people to reprehend such blatantly repugnant beliefs and praxes? Is it perhaps that they’ve grown so accustomed to their pedestals of privilege that they feel threatened by the very idea of confronting this system of white supremacy? Or maybe white liberals still need to be convinced further – maybe they’re still looking for more “proof” of a “real threat” than a violent public resurgence of the KKK and Nazism to truly understand that, yes, things really are “that bad.” Apparently, it seems that the establishment of a white ethno-state is up for debate. Apparently, so are the lives of black and Jewish people. Apparently, white people need their hands held through everything.
In direct response to white people’s incredibly predictable and reactionary response to Charlottesville, I’ve prepared a quick 5-tip guide to help the rest of the rational population identify what sorts of dangerous sentiments Nazi sympathizers and enablers tend to regurgitate when divisive political crises rise. Without further ado, here is “How to Identify a Nazi Sympathizer.”
1. They reference the First Amendment and freedom of speech
The idea that people should be allowed to say whatever they want as long as they don’t physically harm or maim anyone is a futile, performative attempt at tolerance. Considering that the very existence of Nazism and the KKK is rooted in and undeniably tied to violence, extending tolerance to the intolerant is ultimately counterproductive. In fact, if the alt-right had not been consistently protected by liberals and had instead been banned from spreading their fascist rhetorics through assembly, social media, propaganda, and other means thus far – their emergence could have been greatly repressed.
Giving a platform to violence is giving an opportunity for violence to reign. The sole purpose of Nazis is to spread their fascism, which will ultimately oppress and murder minorities. Similarly, the KKK primarily exists to oppress black people. Why are white liberals giving these ideologies a stage to fester and reach more people on? What are they trying to achieve by affording hateful people the “right” to express their murderous beliefs?
These alt-right groups did not assemble to quietly sit around in the underground and discuss their grievances with other people. They formed to kill, to oppress, to crush, and to rule. If they aren’t extinguished now, they will undeniably extinguish us. It isn’t oppression to deny these groups freedom of speech – it’s self-defense.
Would white liberals allow ISIS to gather around the Statue of Liberty to spread their extremist ideologies to the masses? No, because that would put the safety of Americans at risk and expose people to dangerous ideals. So where does this sentiment of protecting freedom of speech disappear to when Black Lives Matter is protesting against the racist police state? We all know the answer. Liberals are transparent.
Perhaps the First Amendment needs further amendment.
2. They claim that the KKK and neo-Nazis are simply misguided and ignorant
A very common response to these rioters seems to be sympathy. These “poor ignorant White people” are offered understanding and compassion from liberals whereas Black Lives Matter and Antifa are often painted as thugs, criminals, or savages. Whether or not someone has been indoctrinated with these beliefs from birth or picked them up later in life bears no relevance to the situation at hand. Nazism and the KKK are still thriving and organizing violence. Period.
There’s no excuse to be calling for a white ethno-state, ever. These degenerates are gathering for a purpose and have deliberate objectives they want to carry out. Ethnic cleansing, genocide, support for slavery, and screaming “Black Lives Don’t Matter” isn’t ignorance – it is a strongly intentioned political and moral stance taken by bigots. Sympathizers need to save the apologia.
Both white supremacy and Nazism operate on a system of beliefs and tenets that have been passed down for generations. No one should have to be educated on why all races should be equal. These fascists know what they’re doing and they don’t care about the social implications that will impact minorities. That’s exactly what they want.
Thinking that black people are disposable or that Jewish people need to be eradicated is not a mistake or something that can be remedied through education. White liberals perceive the alt-right as some sort of naïve, transgressed group of people who can be won over a coffee date or civil debate. There is nothing to discuss. Their beliefs are unacceptable is any and all forms, and those who choose to follow them should be dealt with accordingly. Enablers need to stop babying Nazis and KKK members and see them for what they are – morally reprehensible pieces of subhuman scum.
3. They don’t believe in violent retaliation and think that love is the only solution
For a country that loves war and imperialist interventions so much, it’s a little odd how obsessed white liberals tend to be with peace and love being the appropriate response to violence when minorities are the victims. Despite history being objective proof that dormancy in the face of opposition achieves literally nothing, people just seem really keen on hugging Nazis and loving the KKK until they concede to equality. Communists destroyed the Nazi regime in the 40s through warfare, violence, and organized attacks – and somehow that’s too bizarre of a solution for liberals in 2017?
White supremacists should not be offered peaceful conversation and mercy when they’ve dedicated their lives to marginalizing and destroying others. This country spends billions of dollars from the federal budget every year destroying Middle Eastern countries across the sea, yet at Charlottesville the police chose to spectate idly from the sidelines as a black man was nearly bludgeoned to death and many people were run over, resulting in a fatality.
Love will solve nothing. This system has afforded white people with privileges most minorities will only ever dream of and they still aren’t satisfied. The alt-right will not be satiated until they see the streets stained with the blood of their enemies. No capacity of love in the world can purge the hatred out of a white supremacist. It’s very easy to claim that we should all converse and reason with radicals when it isn’t your existence being debated and denied. The white supremacist undertones shine brightly in the words of enablers and sympathizers.
4. They equate Black Lives Matter and the Antifa to the alt-right
Attempting to draw a parallel between people who stand for the freedom of the oppressed and those who are calling for mass genocide is disgusting and intellectually dishonest. There is no “alt-left.” There are simply people who wish to combat fascism by any means necessary. It is baffling how controversial it has become to stand up against oppressors and their ideologies. Antifa specifically exist to destroy fascism and Black Lives Matter consistently fights against a police state that centers the interests of white people. These groups are asking for the bare minimum – the humanization of people – and there are liberals out there who reject this notion. If that isn’t considered upholding white supremacy, I don’t know what is anymore.
Nothing screams complicity more than defending white terrorist organizations by pointing fingers at groups who are dedicated to bringing harmony and peace back to humanity. Just because both sides of the political spectrum carry out organized riots and protests doesn’t equate their political sentiments and objectives. Nazi sympathizers continuously renew the social licenses of Nazis and the KKK by extending political freedom to all. That doesn’t make liberals progressive or tolerant – it makes them irresponsible and traitors.
5. They attempt to mellow and downplay the severity of Nazi rhetorics
“Well, they’re not real Nazis. They’re not actually going to do anything. All they did was protest for a Confederate statue!”
And what does that statue represent exactly? These are the same lenient sentiments people shared about the alt-right on Reddit during the infancy of their movement and look at where they are now. This is the exact state of mind that allows these groups to further radicalize and increase their member base.
Chanting “blood and soil” while performing the Nazi salute aren’t just words and actions. Speech can be inherently violent. It can carry oppression, it can carry historical context, and it always carries intent. The neo-Nazis and the KKK made a jarringly clear statement with their riot and hate speech – impending violence will follow soon. That is their ultimate goal. Do liberals plan on waiting around until the alt-right starts slaughtering more people before they finally acknowledge that Nazism and white supremacy is a real problem in America? Maybe they can wait that long, but minorities can’t afford to sit around and watch people thirst for their blood.
Question Yourself
Nazi sympathizers, enablers, and apologists are virtually everywhere. Self-proclaimed liberal leftists extend tolerance to all, under the guise of equality, despite the murderous and oppressive intentions of these hate groups. True leftists and activists never claim tolerance for all, they claim tolerance for the just and righteous.
During every civil unrest, there is always an overwhelming majority that lags behind too blind to see the reality of the situation. Every single day, liberals doubt the lived experiences of the oppressed and support social infrastructures that pointedly dehumanize and strip people of their most basic human rights. For instance, black people have been warning America about the emboldened resurgences of the KKK for years. Jewish people have been speaking up about anti-Semitism for decades. And what do the white moderates do? They listen when it’s too late.
The reality of the situation is that the KKK and Nazis never fully disbanded. They just thrived underground, consistently protected by liberals and those who push the First Amendment to the point where it supports the hateful rhetoric of the alt-right to fruition.
Racism is alive and well. It lives in every white and non-black person of colour who turns a blind eye to injustice and oppression. It lives in the justice system, it lives in the state, and it lives in America. We cannot dismiss black people’s concerns for their livelihood and existence in this country. We have to support other targeted minorities when we see them being silenced. We have to listen, we have to uplift, and we have to follow the paths they find appropriate in response to their respective oppressions.
It took dozens of Klu Klux Klan members and neo-Nazis to gather for the establishment of a white ethno-state and for the defense of a Confederate statue for people to even begin thinking about others outside of their own communities. Minorities are failed every single day that liberals sit around twiddling their thumbs while the marginalized say they’re living under a constant threat of white supremacy.
Believe minorities when they say they feel unsafe. Invest in exposing the existence of white supremacy. Refuse complicity, hold oppressors and people of privilege accountable, and dismantle racist institutions. Acknowledge and purge your anti-blackness and anti-Semitism. Donate, protest, educate. Get involved in any way possible.
Fascism has to be abolished before it can burgeon further – or else Charlottesville is just the beginning.
