White Supremacists Have Weaponized an Imaginary Viking Past. It's Time to Reclaim the Real History

[Hildeburh]

Interesting article from Time, which I managed to post in the wrong thread. So reposting it here

White Supremacists Have Weaponized an Imaginary Viking Past. It's Time to Reclaim the Real History

 

[Dan Mellis]

Absolutely love this thread.

 

[The Hammer]

I too read this Times article and was very pleased. Neo-Volkish folk are a twisted lot.

 

[Goodman John]

Lead by example. If you don't want to be thought of as being a racist, don't be racist. And don't just say you're not- don't BE racist. A man's deeds speak far louder than any words he can utter. What to do when someone points out that Asatru/Odinists/whatever have racists in their ranks, you can do nothing but agree and in turn point out that you do not associate with those people.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Sometimes it's not so easy. I've been accused of being a racist on grounds nothing more than my Mjolnir pendant, and anything I said and did made no difference. Kids today get an idea worked into their heads, and all testimony and evidence to the truth mean for nothing.

 

[Goodman John]

Who needs evidence of wrongdoing when you've already got preconceived verdicts on tap? It makes for a very convenient worldview- until the finger points at *them*.

 

[DanishCrow]

Lead by example. If you don't want to be thought of as being a racist, don't be racist. And don't just say you're not- don't BE racist. A man's deeds speak far louder than any words he can utter. What to do when someone points out that Asatru/Odinists/whatever have racists in their ranks, you can do nothing but agree and in turn point out that you do not associate with those people.

No, I can also help protect LBGT folks and people of colour from the depredations of völkisch violence. Speaking words do nothing to curb the expansion of white supremacist ideology in heathenry, a problem that is growing every day. I will fight them in whatever practical way I can, because they prove more than clearly that they don't care about words or their meaning.

In this, I take after Hávamál st. 127:

“When you see misdeeds, speak out against them, and give your enemies no peace.”

 

[Hildeburh]

No, I can also help protect LBGT folks and people of colour from the depredations of völkisch violence. Speaking words do nothing to curb the expansion of white supremacist ideology in heathenry, a problem that is growing every day. I will fight them in whatever practical way I can, because they prove more than clearly that they don't care about words or their meaning.

In this, I take after Hávamál st. 127:

“When you see misdeeds, speak out against them, and give your enemies no peace.”

Agreed. Surely history has taught us that complacency and activism by individuals does not curb right or left wing violence/discrimination against minority groups.

I don't know the answer, it depresses me, I've been a Heathen for many years and am fast coming to the conclusion that it is time for me to relable my identity as a neopagan...................sad face

 

[DanishCrow]

That's a false equivalency. Left wing extremists can opt to employ violence or not to further their goals, to right wing extremism, violence against immigrants, gays and socialists IS the end goal. Their belief is the extermination of what they perceive as subhumans, left wing extremism has no such thing (though they take a dim view of rich people).

I disagree with your conclusion. You should be proud of what you are, and call out those who perform misdeeds. They are the ones perverting meaning of our words, not us.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

I think you're downplaying left extremism, Danish.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Agreed. Surely history has taught us that complacency and activism by individuals does not curb right or left wing violence/discrimination against minority groups.

I don't know the answer, it depresses me, I've been a Heathen for many years and am fast coming to the conclusion that it is time for me to relable my identity as a neopagan...................sad face

I'm sorry you feel that way. I just try not to let the stupidity of others effect me personally as far as possible. They don't own my heritage and I feel somewhat of a responsibility to represent it in a manner more in-line with the authentic spirit of it. I don't want the hateful ones to dominate the discussion or representation of Heathenry.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I think you're downplaying left extremism, Danish.

Left-wing extremists aren't the ones causing most of the current political violence in the West.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Left-wing extremists aren't the ones causing most of the current political violence in the West.

This is true, however their violences (and even racisms) shouldn't be downplayed to where is claimed that they don't exist at all.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

This is true, however their violences (and even racisms) shouldn't be downplayed to where is claimed that they don't exist at all.

That is true, as well.

 

[Hildeburh]

Now we have Wotanists carving swastikas in trees at neolithic sites in England, having lived and worked at these wonderful, spiritual places it just makes me sad.

Park rangers to increase patrols at ancient sites amid reports of neo-Nazi rituals

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Now we have Wotanists carving swastikas in trees at neolithic sites in England, having lived and worked at these wonderful, spiritual places it just makes me sad.

Park rangers to increase patrols at ancient sites amid reports of neo-Nazi rituals

What a bizarre cult. They hardly even seem Pagan, aside from the trappings: Woden's Folk - RationalWiki

 

[Hildeburh]

What a bizarre cult. They hardly even seem Pagan, aside from the trappings: Woden's Folk - RationalWiki

I agree.