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NEO-NAZI’S AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Goose Stepping into the Unemployment Line

Social media has a bad reputation. Facebook has been pointed out as one of the main causes for the deterioration of civil discourse, and the divisions that have made their way into our culture. Comment sections have become faceless, emotionless, and unconscionable flaming garbage heaps. The right to free speech and assembly is being used like an Arkansas bed sheet to cover up the racism, xenophobia, and intolerance we face everyday. But, notoriety aside, if Facebook has been a cause for good lately, we’ve witnessed it in how Neo-Nazi’s have burst their own private bubbles.

For all their pompous bluster, Neo-Nazi’s have been the butt of the joke lately. Richard Spencer, internet tough guy and Nazi propaganda machine, was punched in the face during a live interview. It was almost instantaneously spread across social media for the entire world to see. Spencer was later barred from speaking at several Universities.

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Christopher Cantwell, a rally organizer and the subject of a Vice documentary, by Elle Reeve, on the Charlottesville riots, was also outed. He portrayed himself as a violent vigilante in the documentary, saying, “of course we’re capable, I’m carrying a pistol, I go to the gym all the time. I’m trying to make myself more capable of violence.” Except, shortly after the riots and threats, Cantwell broke down, sobbing in a video he uploaded to Youtube. Facebook enabled this reaction to happen. Cantwell wasn’t able to live in his private supremacist bubble anymore. His tough guy persona was broken down by people directly messaging him over social media. He later turned himself in to Virginian police, for using tear gas during the riots, because he feared reprisal over his outing.

Cole White, who I unfortunately share my given name with, was fired from his job at Top Dog, a hotdog restaurant in Berkley California, for his role in the riots. Top Dog later posted a sign outside of the restaurant that read, “The actions of those in Charlottesville are not supported by Top Dog. We believe in individual freedom and voluntary association for everyone.” This all happened because of Twitter. An account called, “Yes, you’re racist” has been outing white supremacists since 2012. After the riots the account asked it’s 408,000 followers to send in all the information they had on the people attending the riots. It’s been working. People attending the rally have been outed, and have had their private information leaked over the internet.

We may not be able to light our backyard, upper-middle class, white dinner parties with tiki torches anymore, but I’d gladly trade them in just to see another Neo-Nazi learn the value of consequences. I would gladly trade them in exchange for the life of Heather Heyer.

Privacy is important. It is a sacred value of freedom that we all, probably, take for granted a little too much. But, when people start to abuse those rights in the name of “free speech”, those values start to break down. Social media has left no place for anyone to hide, and as terrifying as that can be, at least you’ll know your neighbours are Nazi’s when you see them on Twitter in their little white polo shirts.

At least, I hope they lose their jobs.