Recently I been putting my Positive Political Trolling into effect on a Facebook Page titled Healing From Hate: Angry White Men and the Alt Right – The Documentary. I initially heard about this project because my brother-in-law is part of the team working on the documentary. On the FB page the documentary is described: “Bolstered by the rise of Trump and the Alt Right, disenfranchised white Americans are becoming radicalized into white supremacy at an alarming rate. “Angry White Men: Life After Hate” examines the root causes of racism though the bold work of groundbreaking” Chicago based NGO Life After Hate.
I’ve found myself returning to this site over and over again because most of my interactions have been positive; they either go nowhere or people respond in a relatively respectful way. Most of the comments that come off as “anti” are mainly due to the film’s title. The overwhelming assumption that the film is attacking ALL white men as well as anyone who identifies with Republican or Conservative ideals is by far the most consistent complaint. While the former grievance is rather easily debunked, the latter charge is slightly more complicated.
Due to a persistent overuse, misuse, and inevitable normalization of the term “Alt-Right”, few people are familiar with its deep seated origins in White Nationalism and White Supremacy. Originally coined by Richard Spencer in 2010, the term has become associated with and ultimately representative of a variety of right leaning ideologies; meaning that individuals who previously proclaimed to be Conservative have slowly been adopting the Alt-Right label without truly understanding its origins or implicit discriminatory practices. In doing slow, these individuals are sliding closer to a political ideology whose views espouse a tendency toward White Nationalism in their approach to both domestic and international policy (immigration, taxes, social reforms, civil rights, etc.)
However, similarly to the previously mentioned concern, the correct identification of the meaning of the “Alt-Right” often removes the initially established defensive/offensive tone. My concern is that although some ultimately profess an understanding of the derivation of the term, the oversimplified recognition does not go deep enough to highlight the slippery political slope of a “Conservative” ideology that legislatively favors one particular skin color over many.
Below are two conversation which highlight positive interactions between myself and individuals who responded to the title of the film with aggressive reactions. The first individual, M.T., was easy for me to address because I have often experience the backlash from those who “preach tolerance” and yet when disagreement occurs, immediately turn to the patronizing stance of “intolerance”. (I have personally been accused of defending the ideals of “white supremacists” in a conversation in which I tried to present a more nuanced, compromising, and complicated resolution to the removal of Confederate statues in the South.) The second conversation with M.K. addresses both misconceptions with a slightly more aggressive individual who nonetheless turns his aggression into a more thoughtful engagement.
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M.T.: We preach tolerance, however when you do not agree with our ideals we are intolerant.
Healing From Hate: Angry White Men and the Alt Right – The Documentary Please go beyond the headlines and read the background information on the project. The film is rooted in understanding, on all sides – not blame, not hate. Our project seeks to heal, not divide. In the words of MLK “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
M.T.: Is there a chapter on Antifa explaining why angry privileged white kids embrace the teachings of Sidney and Beatrice Webb, Saul Alinsky, why it is socially acceptable to stand behind a Soviet flag and not Ol’ Glory, why progressives do not call out Antifa’s violent protests in Berkley, CA? Nancy Pelosie does not count.
M.T.:I shouldn’t have only mentioned antifa, I do include the Democratic Party.
Healing From Hate: Angry White Men and the Alt Right – The Documentary yes – we, in fact, cover all of those issues in the film.
Creating A Nation United M.T. I appreciate your comments and their ability to add to the conversation. Right now I think that there is a lot of violence (whether verbal or physical) being employed by all sides. Personally, I would not place the Democratic Party (or progressives) in the same sentence as Antifa the same way I would not place the Republican Party in the same sentence as Neo-Nazi; but I do understand the point that you are trying to make. However, what about this project in particular do you find reminiscent of campaigns that intentionally employ insults and violence?
M.T.: Creating A Nation United thank you for the reply. I am sorry I have not gone further into looking at your project beside viewing the angry white men trailer. Perhaps I am guilty of having a knee jerk reaction to the headline.
M.T.: Creating A Nation United thank you for your reply. Sorry to say that I have not looked into your project further than the “Angry white man” trailer, and very sorry I had a knee jerk reaction to the headline. I guess I see too many “headlines” or fb post about how our country is screwed up due to “The White Man”. Granted, I do understand how Whitey can be blamed for all the ill’s in the world today, however I think it is the way “The system” has evolved and our dependence on gov’t is a big problem.
I am glad you said you would not use republicans and nazi’s in the same sentence and the same with democrats and antifa. A knee jerk statement from me assuming this is more or less progressive project, my apologies again. Today’s political climate is insane with both left and right slinging mud without any thought behind it, but the political violence in the 50’s -60’s, or the 1900-1930’s was crazy.
Thank you for your civil response and good luck with your project.
Creating A Nation United Thank you for your response M.T. I appreciate your open and willing engagement. Truth be told, I am not working on this project but I believe that their work is important and has the potential to provide many groups with important skills that may help to heal some of the divisiveness in our current society. I do not have the background or the means to approach this subject of anger in America but I am trying to do my part in my own way. Mainly I work toward civil engagement through listening and empathy. While different things might frustrate or enrage us, I think we experience these emotions similarly and can find common ground to create conversations that work to unite rather than divide. I too am tired and exhausted by the “slinging mud” and insults that are rapidly and impulsively thrown about by people representing diverse perspectives. If you would be interested in continuing this conversation please feel free to message me or visit my FB page. Thank you again for your thoughtful response.
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M.K.: Give George Sorros a call. He’ll be glad to fund anything that belittles American men.
Creating A Nation United Hi Mark Kupferschmid. I was wondering how you came to the conclusion that this project is trying to disparage American men? After spending some time looking through their work, it seems like they are looking at a very specific subgroup of men and not American men as a whole.
Ma.C.: Yea, they just want to dog white men cause the white man is the root of all evil. Go fuck yourself you racist trash. I’m white and proud of it.
M.K.: The Nation was united until we elected the Islamic divider as President. You want to call out hate? Start at the source.
Creating A Nation United Hi Ma.C. I understand your initial reaction but that is not the point of this particular project at all. This is not about creating or enhancing “white guilt” as both guilt and shame are unproductive emotions that do more damage than good; neither works to create a deeper level of understanding, compassion, or empathy. The feelings that are stirred up also do not acknowledge the past or present and therefore have no ability to effect change in the future. I think it is important to be proud of your background but this project is not about that; rather it works to address the issue of white nationalism and the ideology that white people are superior. The understanding that this project attacks all white people or all white men is misguided and untrue.
Creating A Nation United M.K. Can you say more about this? I’m assuming you are referring the President Obama but I am guessing because i”m not sure what you mean by an “Islamic divider”.
M.K.: Barry Soetoro, the half white man who was raised in an Indonesian school for Islam, attended College in the US as a foreigner.
Like I said, you want to study hate, start at the source.
M.K.: White people aren’t superior. Who’s saying that? Provide your source…Not some crazy individual in the back woods. If you really want to exploit those who believe that white is the supreme race, start with the Democrat politicians. They’re feeding off of this racial divide ( they created) in order to keep people of color enslaved in government programs.
Creating A Nation United M.K. Hi and thank you for your response. The Birther Conspiracy is an example of “fake news” and I am sorry that you believe this. I find it extremely disrespectful and unfortunate that the conspiracy theory is believed by individuals in this country. Still uncertain as to what you mean by an “Islamic divider”. In terms of my comment around White Nationalism and White Supremacy, these are ideologies that are founded on the belief that white people are superior to other races. I do not necessarily need to provide a source because it is the same thing as saying that the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church; it is one of the founding principles of the ideology. This project is not focused on exploitation but a particular subgroup of American culture.
M.K.: Not the “birther conspiracy” I’m talking about. It’s the recorded history of who we now call Barack Obama.
What you’re trying to exploit is a non issue…unless you go to the above mentioned source.
Anyone else you might find in this category is a total idiot. We all know that all men were created equal.
Your story puts all white men on the defense. You are further dividing the Country by race. Maybe you’re one of those idiots that only looks at skin color.
Like I said…tell George Sorros (a true white supremacist) that we’re waiting for his next visit to our land.
Creating A Nation United Hi M.K. Thank you for your response. The conspiracy I was referring to is that notion that our previous President was born in a foreign country which would make him ineligible to become President of the United States; this is simply not true. I think you are confused about the position that I am taking. I am personally not affiliated with the project. If you are not interested in this project and you believe it is a “non-issue” why not just leave it at that. If this story has put you on the defense, I am sorry that you feel that way. However, unless you are affiliated with the Alt-Right, whose origins do lie in White Nationalism, than you have nothing to feel defensive about. There is no need for insults. …………..To say that “we all know that all men were created equal” is to rewrite the history of the U.S. Women and people of color had to fight for that right in this country because it was not initially given to them. Sadly, I believe our country is already divided by race. …………..I do not have strong opinions about George Soros one way or the other; however, to refer to any one who survived the Nazi death camps as a “true white supremacist” seems highly disrespectful.
M.K.: The only offence I am talking about is the exploitation of a group of people based on skin color. How could I otherwise be offended? I wasn’t alive when black people weren’t allowed to vote. Women weren’t because at the time, it was granted to the head of the household.
Am I a nationalist for believing that this is the best Country to live in right now? Why are people from over the world coming here? Are they nationalists too? You are the one labeling people. I’m trying to get you to realize that.
Whatever Sorros went through in his life, he became an evil man. He funds every group trying to destroy the Constitution, and people who actually live within It’s laws. Why is he doing this to the people who saved him?
The reason this project is an issue is because it adds to the onslaught of divisions being injected into our Society. What is the goal of this project? To make some money based on what the Sorros-fed news organizations are daily reporting?
Or is the goal of the project to enlighten people to dangerous ideals or behavior? If this is the case, you will be successful if you reveal the source(s) of this behavior.
Creating A Nation United M.K. I’m actually not sure why you are taking offense because you do not seem to adhere to the philosophies espoused by the “Angry White Men” this documentary focuses on.
In my previous response, I provided you with definitions of White Nationalism; if this is how you identify yourself than you are entitled to your beliefs. White Nationalism is NOT the same as Nationalism. I’m not sure how you began associating this project with George Soros as their is no direct link. I am including a link that details all of the organizations that Soros has either supported or worked on in his career; I can find nothing that equates to “destroying the Constitution” and, personally, I don’t believe that philosophical differences warrants such an accusation. ……………..This documentary focuses on a non-profit based out of Chicago called Life After Hate which was founded in 2009 by a group of individuals who previously who high ranking members within radicalized and extremist groups within the U.S.; specifically White Supremacists and Neo-Nazi organizations. I believe one of the goals of the project is show the ways in which some of these ideologies have become normalized and hidden in our culture and society. If you look into the actual organization I think you will find that they seek to find the sources of these ideologies and beliefs so that people can begin to move beyond them to a less hateful place.http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp…
Organizations Funded by George Soros and His Open Society Foundations – Discover the Networks
Welcome to Discover the Networks. This website describes the networks and agendas of the political Left. The database is divided into 9 major sections
DISCOVERTHENETWORKS.ORG
M.K.: I guess if these guys want to share how they became to hate other races, it could be a good thing. I didn’t actually think that there were very many white supremacists left. I’d like to see the documentary when it’s finished.
Creating A Nation United Hi M.K. Truth be told I don’t think there are “very many” left either. I’ve seen some of the interviews for the film and it is both fascinating and horrifying how these young men were indoctrinated and (in my opinion) manipulated into believing that White people are the Superior Race. However, I think part of the goal of Life After Hate (LAH) is to address all hate groups regardless of race and they provide tools to help individuals cope. Do you remember the movie American History X from the 90’s? It’s a drama that has foundations in real life occurrences; I would recommend it as it will provide some insight into what LAH is working on. Thank you for your engagement with me and for sticking it out through this conversation M.K.. I really appreciate your candor!
Creating A Nation United 