NYT: Why I Left White Nationalism

[RoxMonster]

www.nytimes.com/2016/11/26/opinion/sunday/why-i-left-white-nationalism.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Excerpt:
"For a while after I left the white nationalist movement, I thought my upbringing made me exaggerate the likelihood of a larger political reaction to demographic change. Then Mr. Trump gave his Mexican “rapists” speech and I spent the rest of the election wondering how much my movement had set the stage for his. Now I see the anger I was raised with rocking the nation.

People have approached me looking for a way to change the minds of Trump voters, but I can’t offer any magic technique. That kind of persuasion happens in person-to-person interactions and it requires a lot of honest listening on both sides. For me, the conversations that led me to change my views started because I couldn’t understand why anyone would fear me. I thought I was only doing what was right and defending those I loved."

[NitaX]

This was an excellent op-ed. He hits the very things that minorities are afraid of - white nationalism with the ability to actively shape policy.

Also, I admire that someone took the time to befriend him with the purpose of changing his mind. I've just tapped out of that patience TBH. I recently told some folks I wasn't playing token black friend anymore and deleted folks from FB. They aren't interested in real discussion, so I'm not playing friend anymore. I'm done with it.

[froggy76]

I read the piece on him that was posted a few weeks ago and I've been wondering what he thinks about the outcome of the election. Great read.

[andwhat]

I have been waiting for this follow-up. TFP.

I wonder if he will become more involved in politics. It will be interesting to follow whatever path he decides.

[DesertMoon]

Interesting Unicorn. I wonder if he'd try to be more involved in this, reaching out to the people who are willing to change their mind or willing to listen.

[bugandbibs]

I think this goes back to idea that we need more diversity in this country. IIRC from the other article, his change began after he started attending weekly multi-faith dinner groups. Exposure to others as actual people challenged the thought process he was brought up with.

Obviously hate and prejudice can flourish anywhere, but it's much easier to "other" people when they are a faceless group. It goes beyond having token friendships- it's the truth that people aren't the exception but rather the rule.

[mouse]

I wish this were published by someone like the National Review, where it might reach more Trump voters.

About a decade ago I had a casual friendship with a former white nationalist. I don't think he was ever very high up, but he was in it deep enough to get tattoos he had covered up. His mother died when he was young, his dad kicked him out when he was 16. He fell in with a group that sort of took care of him, made him feel like he was worth something. (Kind of a cheesy mystery but Susan Issacs "Lily White" has a really good example of the appeals they made.) The way he told it, it was kind of like how cults find people. What changed him was working in restaurants, just being surrounded by diversity and slowly seeing that the people around him weren't a threat to him, he was a threat to them. He was sad and embarrassed about his involvement and would call people out. Although he was pretty easy to dismiss because he presented as a poorly educated ex-drug addict with ties to white nationalism.

Maybe this kid will have better luck. It doesn't seem like he'd be easy to dismiss if people take the time to hear him.

[aurora]

Well-written. Thanks for posting.