Fear, More Than Hate, Feeds Online Bigotry and Real-World Violence

Fear, More Than Hate, Feeds Online Bigotry and Real-World Violence

By Adam G. Klein, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, Pace University. First published on The Conversation.

When a U.S. senator asked Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, “Can you define hate speech?” it was arguably the most important question that social networks face: how to identify extremism inside their communities.

Hate crimes in the 21st century follow a familiar pattern in which an online tirade escalates into violent actions. Before opening fire in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the accused gunman had vented over far-right social network Gab about Honduran migrants traveling toward the U.S. border, and the alleged Jewish conspiracy behind it all. Then he declared, “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” The pattern of extremists unloading their intolerance online has been a disturbing feature of some recent hate crimes. But most online hate isn’t that flagrant, or as easy to spot.

As I found in my 2017 study on extremism in social networks and political blogs, rather than overt bigotry, most online hate looks a lot like fear. It’s not expressed in racial slurs or calls for confrontation, but rather in unfounded allegations of Hispanic invaders pouring into the country, black-on-white crime or Sharia law infiltrating American cities. Hysterical narratives such as these have become the preferred vehicle for today’s extremists – and may be more effective at provoking real-world violence than stereotypical hate speech.

Hitler Cited America As A Perfect Example of White Nationalism

“How the Rebel Flag Rose Again—and Is Helping Trump” By Mason Adams for Politico June 16, 2016. Image by M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO

In the age of Trump, Charleston shootings, Charlottesville and most recently Ahmaud Arbery hunted, trapped and cornered like an animal before before being shot, this NYT Op Ed ‘Why Does the US Military Celebrate White Supremacy? is perfect timing.

Reading it -- 2-3 mos before my move to VA -- I am shocked to learn that Hitler more than once cited America as an example of a country that legally protected its white nationalism.

Hitler saw America -- yes "the shining city upon a hill" -- as an idealized example of white supremacy.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash. Civil War reenactment at The Wade House in Plymouth, Wisconsin. This is a huge, annual event that draws visitors from across the country. These images were taken in 2005, during which time I worked as a photojournalist for a local newspaper.

When I read a jaw-dropping statement like that one, Google is required. Those top links are also included here. For once, they appear before Wiki and the equivalent of whitenationalism.com.

That says to me that people are reading about this issue, even if it's not part of our national dialogue. I think Rachel Maddow should take up this topic and educate us all -- that Hitler repeatedly looked to the United States to justify his policy of rounding up the Jews and gassing millions.

Articles include How American Racism Influenced Hitler; Why the Nazis Loved America; and White Nationalism’s Deep American Roots.

It's been almost two years since I got it into my mind to move to Virginia with a keen desire to be part of the New South. That move is really taking shape now, finally, with the oppty to live in a brand new, super special set of buildings not in Virginia Beach but Norfolk, next door.

This move will allow me to become a swing voter in VA in time for the presidential election. While the move is inspired by VA's vibrant arts community in Norfolk, as well as in VB, I deliberately want to live where slavery first began in America. I want to soak up that poison and repurpose it, take responsibility for it and -- yes-- to fight for my vision of America.

As my friend Christine Turner said, "Honey if you want to confront the beast, you can't come to Alabama. You will lose your mind here. If I consider the options, I think Virginia is a perfect choice for you."

To read this morning that Hitler cited America as his idealized society, I am humiliated and heartbroken. But that is just another motivation to fight for my vision of what is right -- and especially in the time of Trump. ~ Anne