An Illustrated Guide to American Racism
White supremacy is incapable of creating anything, so it finds a host and survives like a parasite
There are certain people in the United States that delight in wearing their disrespect for humanity like a badge. They don’t openly acknowledge their racism. Instead, they use subtle messaging and then chortle about it like they’re getting away with something.
When you call them out on their coded language, they become affronted. They make absurd claims that they are ones who are actually the victims.
“The cancel culture mob is coming after me!”
“So much for the tolerant left!”
“I refuse to be ashamed because I’m white.”
When you point out that white supremacists have a backwards philosophy, they don’t pause for reflection in the hope of self-improvement. Instead, they angrily demand, “Well, what are you going to do about it?”
You don’t want these kind of people in your life. They’re toxic, violent bullies trapped in a downward spiral and if you don’t get away from them, they’ll destroy your chance at happiness.
Fortunately, racists are easy to identify because, even though they’re too cowardly to admit they are racists, they cover their lawns, their vehicles, and their own bodies with racist symbols. It’s not worth associating with people who think that kindness is a joke.
Take note of the symbols collected in this article and steer clear of the people who display them. Don’t try to to rehabilitate them. Don’t go near them. Don’t get into a shouting match with one of them in the parking lot. Any time spent on somebody who harbors white supremacist beliefs puts you at risk with no potential for reward.
Any kind of Nazi symbol or images that suggest Nazi symbols
For the most part, white supremacists know they can’t brazenly display Nazi symbols. However, every now and then you’ll see one of them proudly waving a swastika just before he’s arrested for something like attacking the Capitol.
More often, they’ll do things like hide “SS” tattoos somewhere on their body, or they’ll use some obscure Celtic rune like the Celtic Cross (or any of a number of variations).
Click here for an interesting discussion of the Celtic Cross as hate symbol.
The unfortunate part is that Celtic runes have their own history that has nothing to do with white supremacy. That’s the thing about white supremacists, they aren’t able to invent anything of their own so they attach themselves like a parasite to other cultures and ideas.
That’s worth repeating: white supremacists offer nothing to humanity.
They lurk around the fringes blaming everyone else for the problems they create.
Sure, there are plenty of people out there who can claim a legitimate heritage that connects them to Celtic runes, or gothic images, or any of the kind of pointed and angular symbols that white supremacists like to steal. The people who have a legitimate connection to these things are like inadvertent lead blockers, but if they say nothing against racism they enable it.
So, the solution is to become part of the fight to eliminate white supremacy and take back these symbols from the hate groups that have stolen them.
The solution is not to claim, “Well, I have no idea that these symbols are used that way.” You can’t get angry with the person who tells you that white supremacists have stolen your historical rune. Your only option is to get angry with the white supremacists.
They’re everybody’s problem. You should count yourself lucky that they’re only stealing your heritage and that they’re not stealing your right to live.
Confederate symbols
It’s really sad that so many Americans refuse to recognize that the Civil War was fought over white supremacy. Part of the problem is that our current culture is offensively passive about the idea of racism. They’d prefer to “let sleeping dogs lie.”
The problem is that the dog isn’t sleeping. The dog is marching around and sinking its teeth into little kids.
You’re going to hear a litany of absurd objections when you criticize the Confederate flag.
“That’s not the Confederate flag, that’s the Tennessee battle flag.”
“The Confederates were Democrats!”
“It’s not hate, it’s heritage!”
All of this becomes a quagmire. In truth, what we call the Confederate flag isn’t the flag the Confederates used as they waged their treasonous war against the United States. Instead, they used a flag with two red stripes, one white stripe, and a blue field with a circle of white stars.
Yeah, they used a flag and uniforms that basically looked exactly like the ones of the army they were attacking, and it led to battles where they killed their own men because they got confused.
To me, this is just so typical of what you get from white supremacist ideology. They talk a lot, but the inherent nonsense of their thought process becomes obvious the second the bullets start flying.
I mean, who is so incompetent that they march into battle without ensuring their troops won’t be confused with the enemy? Isn’t “don’t shoot your own guys” the first rule of engagement? This is the kind of situation you get sucked into if you remain in the sphere of these people.
I’m sure there was one unfortunate fellow at the meeting who was like, “Hey! Maybe we should consider changing our uniforms so we don’t start killing each other.”
This guy was probably mocked and shouted into silence. “What an idiot! Doesn’t he know how much it will cost to get new uniforms? Who is going to pay for that? Dumb socialist!”
Then, the very second after the first battle happens and the confederate soldiers are caught with their pants down, running around like headless chickens and shooting at each other, another meeting is called. “We need new uniforms! Why didn’t you idiots say so the last time?”
Incompetent leaders always demand solutions while never acknowledging that they were responsible for the mistake in the first place.
So, yes, it could be argued that what we call the Confederate flag isn’t the “real” confederate flag. Yes, it could be argued that the political parties have flipped since 1860.
The truth is that even if Lincoln’s party called itself “Republican,” the Confederate flag is the one to which his assassin pledged his allegiance. Today when people carry the Confederate flag, they’re affiliating themselves with the movement that killed the man who many call the greatest president.
Also, the Confederate flag is the one that white supremacists carry in places where the Nazi flag is banned. The Confederate flag is used as a racist symbol of hatred worldwide. If you want to talk “heritage,” well, that IS the heritage of that flag.
Gadsden flag
This summer I was standing in line at a theme park with my kids. I noticed that a guy in line ahead of me was wearing a yellow T-shirt with the design from the Gadsden flag.
Over and over as I made my way through the line, I had to look at that symbol. There I was, trying to have a decent time with my family, and this guy was more focused on making some sort of a political hate statement.
The history of the Gadsden flag goes all the way back to the Revolutionary war (because white supremacists steal everything), but today it has become one of the favored symbols of racism.
Are you seeing a reoccurring trend here?
White supremacists have no history of their own. They’ve never done anything. They’ve never achieved anything. So, to give themselves credibility, they latch on to other symbols and use them to represent themselves.
Because white supremacists are always loud, smelly, and obnoxious, the majority of the population tries to get away from them rather than call them out on their behavior. The white supremacists then take this as a recognition of their position and feel emboldened to carry on.
Back duh blue
You have to be careful of “the thin blue line” flag, or any flag that declares “law and order.” The reason these flags are problematic is because everyone knows that police officers in the United States indiscriminately slaughter a disproportionate number of minority groups.
Are there good police officers out there? Of course! But again, the bad police officers reflect poorly on the good ones. Therefore it’s the responsibility of the good police officers to call out as loudly for criminal justice reform as the rest of us.
You can’t start whining and claim you’re under “attack” when we ask you to please stop killing people.
You’re not allowed to act all affronted for getting “lumped in.” Look, you’re either actively working to make things better, or you’re enabling abuse. Those are the only two choices that are out there.
Yes, being a police officer is a tough job. Yes, we need a police force to make society safer. However, criminal justice in the United States has massive issues that are destroying people’s lives.
White Christian imagery
This one might surprise you, but it’s been staring you right in the face this whole time. I’ve used a cartoon graphic of a character in Klan robes. That’s Christian imagery!
White Christian imagery often stands for white supremacy!
Think about it for a second. When have you ever heard of a white church organizing some sort of a protest against American racism?
They organize protests against gay marriage right? Where are the white church-led protests against racism and social injustice? Where?
Again, there are those who are going to become all affronted and start in with the “Not all Christians…” arguments. Look! It’s not my fault that white supremacists are parasites who attach themselves to otherwise good institutions. I’m just the messenger.
The solution is not to threaten me with violence for telling the truth. The only solution is to be loud and active in joining the fight to end white supremacy.
As it stands now, when I see a car with a cross or a Jesus fish out in a parking lot, I turn and go the other way. I really don’t know if somebody’s going to jump out of that car, shoot first, and ask questions later. That’s the current legacy of white American Christianity.
I’m sure that there are white supremacists who cover themselves with Satanic images, but, in the images of rallies that I’ve seen, the Christian symbols are far more prevalent. That’s because Christianity has a built-in immunity from any kind of criticism. Naturally the forces of white supremacy will be attracted to that.
If you say, “I’m a white supremacist,” you get booed out of the room.
If you say, “I’m a devout Christian,” people stick around and listen.
Religion shouldn’t be hate camouflage.
Just because somebody insists they are a Christian does not give them a right to babble hate speech against any race or group. That’s something our country needs to recognize. More importantly, that’s something that Christians have to recognize.
The decent ones have allowed the bad ones to corrupt their faith. Again, don’t be mad at me. I’m not running around claiming to be a Christian and then using my ill-gotten status to hurt people. Be mad at them!
Avoid symbols of white supremacy
When it comes to American white supremacy, the best thing to do is hold these people at a distance. They’re armed. They’re angry. The criminal justice system is on their side.
When your neighbors decorate their yards with white supremacist imagery, take note. Don’t get into fights with them over something stupid. You never know when they’re going to harbor a grudge, and then show up at your house to kill you.
These symbols are everywhere. Pay attention to them. These aren’t people you can argue with. These aren’t people who are going to change their mind. Don’t let them fool you into joining any kind of organization. Don’t let them influence you into voting for a particular political candidate. Don’t give them any money. Don’t buy anything from them.
Some people say you should respond to hate with love. That’s a foolish statement that only puts you at risk. The best way to respond to hate is to get as far away from it as possible. Look out for the symbols of white supremacy in America and avoid them. The people who carry these symbols want to hurt you, and they’ll do it if they think they can get away with it.
Most of them don’t have jobs, families, or friends so they don’t have anything to lose. I’ll say it again, white supremacists are parasites. You must protect yourself from them. Take note of the signs, and keep your distance.
Thanks for reading everyone! As always, leave your questions or comments below!
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People sometimes forget that the Nazis stole ancient symbology for their nefarious purposes as well, reinforcing your point about the white supremacist’s lack of Creativity.
I think the “thin blue line” flag might be the most blatantly racist of all of these. Two nations, two Americas, one black, one white, with only a thin blue line, protecting one from the other. Absolutely sickening.