If someone calling you a Nazi is enough to make you act like one, I got news for you.
I know I talk about a lot of “qwhite interesting” things on here, from how people support white supremacism without ever saying out loud “white people are better” to how supposed “free speech” supporters are nothing of the sort, but I find myself compelled, once again, to write a little bit here about the latest terrible take.
A journalist (who shall remain nameless) has essentially formulated a response to those of us who know a white nationalist when we see one, indicating that it’s us—the ones who call them white nationalists, white supremacists, and Nazis—that are driving them to become white nationalists, white supremacists, and Nazis. The logic seems to be that we—by labelling them something awful—are somehow driving them to be more radical.
I’m here to say, in short, “no.”
If you’re accused of white nationalist sentiment, and your response is “You want to see white nationalism? I’ll really show you white nationalism!” you really didn’t need us to call you one.
You just needed an excuse to show it off.
A normal person, a person who hates white nationalism, who hates white supremacism, and who hates Nazism, when accused of white nationalism, white supremacism, or Nazism, will try to demonstrate the precise opposite. They will not try to be more white nationalist, white supremacist, or Nazi-like. They will try to be less so.
If you find yourself in the unpleasant position of being called a white supremacist, consider:
(a) listening to why the person thinks you’re one
(b) comparing that description of what you’ve done to white supremacists, and
(c) not doing any of the things that make you even remotely like a white supremacist.
And just for the record, when someone’s calling you a “Nazi,” it’s not because they think you’ve already built camps and are marching millions to their murder.
They’re saying you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t care enough to stop it. The kind that joined the Nazi party because, well who else were you going to vote for? Because, you know, that Hitler fellow, he really just says what he means, you know? At least he’s honest.
Those people were Nazis too. They were every single bit as responsible for the murders that took place.
If you double down when someone calls you a white supremacist? You were definitely already one.
Don’t double down; fix yourself.
Signed: The Remixologist.
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Featured image is of the Wiktionary definition for “double down.”