Hiding behind the Internet
Jaimie Kelso describes Stormfronters as intelligent, tech savvy, and upstanding members of society, who defy the usual stereotype of white hate-mongers. “We are portrayed as being fringe and marginal but we have high powered attorneys, doctors, military and law enforcement officers, and college professors. When we hold gatherings, the quality and caliber of the people is extraordinary,” he says.
Coming out as a racist can be a dangerous thing, which is why the anonymity of the Internet is so crucial. “Most people who hold our point of view are reluctant to become publicly known. They’re afraid they’ll lose their jobs or they will be subject to other forms of harassment. In fact it’s a very small minority of people who don’t care if their names are associated with what has become a politically unfashionable point of view,” explains Black in Hate.com. The ability to freely exchange information and partake in a cyber-community in the safety and privacy of your own home is a major break-through. Anonymous web monikers have become the new hoods in the Internet Age.
While Stormfront assumes the government and anti-racist groups are monitoring the site, the medium means less of a risk for members getting outed to the neighbors or co-workers. The FBI could potentially track down information, but it’s more difficult for the average person. In fact Black’s neighbors recently told a newscaster on the local nightly news that they didn’t even know he was a racist.
Some groups successfully use the information on the web to counter white supremacists. Groups, such as the grassroots group, Anti-Racists Action, who stage direct actions against white supremacists at their rallies, can find out about upcoming events to protest, through Stormfront. Other anti-racists groups have used cyber-terrorism to hack these websites.
The desire for anonymity is even more extreme in politically liberal and diverse places like New York City. While there is some white supremacists activity, like the National Socialist Movement chapter in Brooklyn, New York Stormfronters complain that the lack of out racists makes “Jew York City” a frustrating and alienating place to live. One lonely New Yorker posted recently, “I was growing worried that there was no one left here, besides perhaps a small group of friends. I live in Brooklyn, and oh dear. I’d love to talk to those who live here.”
Click here to go back and read about the ease of taking part in the movement and to view videos by White Supremacists.
Click here to learn more about how New Yorkers organize on Stormfront.
Posted by Team B 8:18 PM
Labels: David Kelso, New York, Stormfront
