...she, and the people she talks to, came to adopt the beliefs they have adopted.
Narrative of the whys and lived experience, instead of tossing opposing conclusions at each other, is how you connect on a human level. Whether it sparks reevaluation is not the point.
And FWIW, instead of angry confrontation, any time MAGA, Christian Nationalists, or White Supremacists show up to March or rally in our town or city (or any town or city for that matter), Wunsiedel Germany provides a wonderful -- and FAR MORE EFFECTIVE way to respond (see also the New York Times article below).
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/opinion/how-to-make-fun-of-nazis.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pk8.Ykwd.REFAyjskntl-&smid=url-share
For decades, Wunsiedel, a German town near the Czech border, has struggled with a parade of unwanted visitors. It was the original burial place of one of Adolf Hitler’s deputies, a man named Rudolf Hess. And every year, to residents’ chagrin, neo-Nazis marched to his grave site. The town had staged counterdemonstrations to dissuade these pilgrims. In 2011 it had exhumed Hess’s body and even removed his grave stone. But undeterred, the neo-Nazis returned. So in 2014, the town tried a different tactic: humorous subversion.
The campaign, called Rechts Gegen Rechts — the Right Against the Right — turned the march into Germany’s “most involuntary walkathon.” For every meter the neo-Nazis marched, local residents and businesses pledged to donate 10 euros (then equivalent to about $12.50) to a program that helps people leave right-wing extremist groups, called EXIT Deutschland.
They turned the march into a mock sporting event. Someone stenciled onto the street “start,” a halfway mark and a finish line, as if it were a race. Colorful signs with silly slogans festooned the route. “If only the Führer knew!” read one. “Mein Mampf!” (my munch) read another that hung over a table of bananas. A sign at the end of the route thanked the marchers for their contribution to the anti-Nazi cause — €10,000 (close to $12,000). And someone showered the marchers with rainbow confetti at the finish line.
Experts in nonviolent protest say it could serve as a model for Americans alarmed by the resurgent white supremacist movement who are looking for an effective way to respond (and who might otherwise be tempted to meet violence with violence).
Can you imagine turning every hate group rally into a pledge drive for the Southern Poverty Law Center, or other effective anti-hate organization?
When white supremacists are coming to town, contact counter-protest organizers and urge them to respond in a new way. Send them the article. Urge them to mount a pledge drive calling on sane people to contribute X dollars to an anti-hate cause for every person who shows up to support a message of hate. At the event, they could put up a giant fund raising thermometer to track funds raised, and greet each hate filled attendee with cheers and thanks for their part in contributing to such a great cause.
Or if the hate group is marching, just follow the Wunsiedel “most involuntary walkathon” model.
Wouldn’t this be far more effective than the “standard” confrontational counter-protest?
The approach has spread to several other German towns and one in Sweden (where it was billed as Nazis Against Nazis).
And on the topic of wading into the lion's den. I highly recommend Braver Angels. Yes, it is a self-selected group of "blues" and "reds" who are willing to engage, but it is a good place to practice listening skills and interactions that absolutely tone down the anger. There is no compromise. There is no "being nice." It is about honest engagement. And learning to listen and practice being honest and clear about what my "red lines" are and why has actually clarified why I believe what I believe.
And I highly recommend Monica Guzman's book, discussed here:
And a final note: It is up to all of us who show up at rallies against the 47 regime to help make sure there NO violence. Violence accomplishes one thing: It severely damages the Anti-MAGA, Anti-Christian Nationalist, Anti-White Supremicist cause. We must be clear that people who are more interested in being assholes and provoking violence have no place in our peaceful protests. (And BTW, the The Hands Off, No Kings, Good Trouble protests have done a great job of providing de-escalation training -- and everyone who intends to attend should take the opportunity to participate.)
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