It’s not Okay! Countering White Supremacy

 

It’s not Okay! Countering White Supremacy


By Frank Austad

According to CNN, quoting the compiled information from Antidefamation League it appears that the “OK” symbol is not as innocuous as it would seem anymore, as it has since become has now become a hate trope adopted by the far right.

The finger-and-thumb OK sign is universally known for meaning everything is all right or approval of something. But the ADL says while not everyone means it to be hateful, the sign has been co-opted by the alt-right. (2019).

CNN says that the ADL says, "… the symbol was first created as a hoax or meme among alt-right groups, who wanted other people and the media to get upset about it and thus look foolish condemning an innocuous symbol. Why the ‘OK?’ sign? The general idea is that the looped and extended fingers resemble the letters W and P, standing for ‘white power.’” (2019).

Today's media is full of other signaling to watch out for. Donald Trump had an advertisement from Mike Lindell’s organization, My Pillow on a sidebar on one of his televised rallies. The ad indicates a price of $14.88 for one of his flagship products. Given Trump’s far-right, often racist leanings, this ad should seem troubling.

The combination of "14" and "88" is a common white supremacist symbol. It represents two phrases:

·                     14: This stands for the "14 Words," a white supremacist slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

·                     88: This stands for "Heil Hitler," as "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Together, "1488" expresses a core belief in white supremacy and Nazi ideology. It's often used in online contexts, graffiti, tattoos, and other forms of white supremacist messaging.

Combating white supremacist ideology is a multifaceted challenge requiring a comprehensive approach. Here are some strategies that can be effective:

Education and Awareness:

  • Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking skills to help people identify and challenge biases, stereotypes, and misinformation.
  • Historical Education: Teach accurate and comprehensive history, highlighting the negative impacts of racism and white supremacy throughout history.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Promote diversity and inclusion in education, workplaces, and communities to foster empathy and understanding.

Community Engagement:

  • Community Organizing: Build strong, diverse communities where people feel empowered to challenge hate speech and discrimination.
  • Intergroup Dialogue: Facilitate constructive conversations between people from different backgrounds to bridge divides and build relationships.
  • Bystander Intervention: Train individuals on how to safely intervene when they witness hate speech or discriminatory behavior.

Digital Literacy and Counter-Narrative:

  • Media Literacy: Teach people to critically evaluate online information and identify fake news and propaganda.
  • Counter-Narrative: Amplify the voices of marginalized communities and promote positive narratives that challenge white supremacist ideology.
  • Platform Accountability: Pressure social media platforms to take stronger action against hate speech and extremist content.

Legal and Policy Responses:

  • Law Enforcement: Support law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute hate crimes and extremist activities.
  • Counterterrorism: Work with intelligence agencies to monitor and disrupt white supremacist networks.
  • Policy Reform: Advocate for policies that address systemic racism and promote equity.

Mental Health Support:

  • Counseling and Therapy: Provide mental health support to individuals who have been affected by hate crimes or extremist ideology.
  • De-radicalization Programs: Develop programs to help individuals disengage from extremist groups and ideologies.

It's important to remember that combating white supremacy is an ongoing process that requires sustained effort and collaboration from individuals, communities, and institutions. By addressing the root causes of hate and promoting tolerance and understanding, we can work towards a more just and equitable society.

Full Disclosure: This piece was created with the help of AI tools, but all claims made have been fact-checked for accuracy.

References:

(2019). Sidner, S. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/us/adl-new-hate-symbols/index.html

(2019). Willingham, AJ. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/28/us/hate-symbols-changing-trnd/index.html

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