I’m really alarmed by the misinformation I see on social media right now, so here is a little simplified guide to WTF is going on.

(Edited to work better for tumblr, I originally just made screenshots for Twitter)

What is a NAZI?

Nazi is an abbreviation for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus) an ideology associated primarily with the 20th-century German Nazi Party (especially while it was being led by Adolt Hitler). The idea that National Socialism lived and died primarily through Hitler is actually a myth propagated by post-war propaganda and Hollywood. America destroyed those Nazis!! YAY!! – Wrong, They still exist. Although not under that name. Any far-right groups is basically a “Nazi” party (many even used the term “National Socialism” until a re-branding in the 80’s.

The German political scientist Klaus von Beyme describes three historical phases in the development of far-right parties in Western Europe after World War II.

From 1945 to the mid-1950s, far-right parties were marginalized, and their ideologies were discredited due to the recent existence and defeat of Nazism – because people were murdered. In droves. Like millions of people. Death camps are REAL. 11 million people died, including 1.1 million children. Thus in the years immediately following World War II, the main objective of far-right parties was survival; achieving any political impact at all, was largely not expected.

From the mid-1950s to the 1970s, the so-called “populist protest phase” emerged with sporadic electoral success. During this period, far-right parties drew to them charismatic leaders whose profound mistrust of the political establishment led to an “us-versus-them” mind set: “us” being the nation’s citizenry, “them” being the politicians and bureaucrats who were then in office; beginning in the 1980s, the electoral successes of far-right political candidates made it possible for far-right political parties to revitalize anti-immigration as a mainstream issue.

What does anybody in the far right REALLY support?

How politics work is that there is two sides. The right and the left. In the middle, Liberalism and democracy.

The far-right isn’t about the “working man” at all. That’s what the LEFT is about. The Left is ALL about the public being in control. There is currently no major leftist parties in power in America (Democrats are closer to the middle - center-right, actually. They just get called the left party because nobody is).

What the right really advocates is private economic ownership (aka the rich getting’ richer), racial hierarchy (whites better than everyone else) and Social Darwinism (which is the idea that “weak” humans, aka the old, the sick, etc, deserve to be removed. That means gradually killed. Don’t get attached to your grandma). Extreme right-wing politicians are usually extreme nationalists (“bringing back JOBS to AMERICANS” = eventually they will exploit you as workers void of rights), and are opposed to immigration. They are also profoundly chauvinistic (that means women are seen as inferior).

Is Trump a representative of the extreme right?

Most definitely, since he supports all that was listed above. Loudly, too.

So, Trump isn’t going to really help the so-called American Working Man?

Who even is that? Everybody American works, no matter who they are. But if you mean that you’re a white middle class American, then you’ll get candy for a year and then be abused just like the rest of us. You’re already losing your rights to free information and healthcare. So, you might as well join the fight with us.

Who is Richard B. Spencer?

Richard Bertrand Spencer (born May 11, 1978) is an American white nationalist, known for promoting white supremacist views. He is president of the National Policy Institute, a white nationalist think-tank, and Washington Summit Publishers, an independent publishing firm. Spencer has stated that he rejects the description of white supremacist, and describes himself as an identitarian. He advocates for a white homeland for a “dispossessed white race” and calls for “peaceful ethnic cleansing” to halt the “deconstruction” of European culture.

The Identitarian movement is a European political movement that started in France in 2002 and is basically all about destroying anybody who is a shade darker then milk. The Identitarian movement has a close linkage to members of the German New Right, aka Neo-Nazis.

So this guy is definitely a “Nazi”.

Was it ok to punch him?

It’s never ok to punch someone who has not provoked you. HOWEVER, what Spencer is doing is saying: I want to hurt people. I want to hurt people a lot. Not today. But, tomorrow, maybe. His very existence and allegiance is a constant menace. Picture it this way, if you met a guy in the park and he said hi, I don’t have a gun today, but I might tomorrow, and I might come back to shoot people, would you just ignore him? No. So in conclusion, march peacefully, but do punch Nazis. 

This is the American scale.

I really want to point this out because it’s a legitimate thing that Trump is far more extreme right than you may think. It also explains why this is a thing that happened. See, compared to many other countries in the world, my own included, the American political spectrum is offset to the right.

So what OP said about there not being an extreme left is absolutely true, there’s barely a left to begin with.

Sourcity-Sourcey-Source

I’d like to point out that this is a recorded phenomenon in political science and not my own biased interpretation of your politics. Noam Chomsky—cognitive scientist, historian, social critic, and political activist among other things (this guy pops up in my university classes from time to time; the dude’s part of the curriculum whether that says anything to you or not)—has been pretty outspoken about this.

“… so what [Republicans have] done is mobilized sectors of the population that have always been there but have never really been politically mobilized, like Evangelical Christians, the nativists who are afraid that ‘they’ are taking our country away from us, white racists, … gun-people who are so terrified that they have to carry their guns into church because maybe somebody’ll come after them. 

You know, these sectors of the population are there, and that’s now the base of the Republican party.”

So, this election night was a shocking, absolutely horrifying blow to my American friends. Even my friends here in Canada couldn’t come to terms with it. I saw panic attacks, fears about even visiting American relatives in the States again, and even a depressive loss of faith in humanity. How could this be where the world is today?

Because, it’s this gradual shift to the right that’s so insidious, that happened for a variety of complex reasons, I’m sure, that can to some make it seem like the current Republican party is a reasonable center-right party, when in actuality they are legitimately far right. And as such, able to take advantage of these small groups on the outside that have desperately wanted a podium for a long time.

So, no, you’re not imagining it, America. This isn’t normal. Punch some Nazis, if that’s what it takes.

side note: This is what we call the Overton Window and that is a really good visual of it.

It’s also important to point out that this isn’t just the United States and it never really was. Even now, because of Brexit and Trump’s election, the radical nationalist/fascist/racist/sexist/whatever end of the political spectrum is now being galvanized globally with the success and encouragement of this and aided by political echo-chambers in media, the internet, and small communities.

Nationalist movements are picking up again in France and Germany and even Canada now has at least three people running for the Conservative Party leadership on a Trump-like storm.

>!’m really alarmed by the misinformation I see on social media” >makes post full of misinformation

Giving homeless people MONEY instead of FOOD can save their lives this winter, shelters cost money, being able to sit in McDonald’s and nurse a coke for a couple hours to warm up costs money, often accessing public toilets (whether it’s to use them, wash up or just to be out of the wind) costs money. 

Just give homeless people cash, just do it, no excuses, no whining about “enabling their drug habits”, if you have money to spare, give it and possibly save someone from literally freezing to death. 

In case anyone is still confused: People are freezing to death out there, every day. If you live in an area that gets cold right now, give money if you have it. If you give someone food when what they really need is shelter, you’re basically saying that them hypothetically using their own money (that you gave to them, it’s not yours anymore) to buy drugs or alcohol is worse than them dying. Not to mention that along with the cold, detoxing can kill someone as well. And if you really really really can’t bring yourself to act like a human being in person, sit in your own home and donate to a shelter online.

More nice things people can buy with money that are not food and will keep them from freezing:

Oh, and even if a homeless person does buy alcohol, drugs, or some other non-essential thing with the money you give them:

- Like the OP said, if somebody has a serious substance addiction, suddenly going cold turkey can be dangerous. Heroin withdrawal can kill. Alcohol withdrawal can kill. If you want to help addicts, maybe donate to organisations which provide proper addiction treatment and counselling, rather than moralising about people who may be physically unable to stop taking a substance. 

- Sleeping rough is not fun. Are you really going to begrudge a homeless person the occasional treat? Or a substance that makes them feel better for a while? Being able to have things you want, as opposed to just basic subsistence things, can make you feel more human, and more a part of society. And while using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate isn’t a good thing, it’s common for a reason, and for many people, it’s better than the alternative. 

Related to that — everyone *else* gets to decide to buy alcohol if they want.

Like, my boss can’t withhold my paycheck because she thinks I’ll spend it on booze.

I love how this post went from “consider giving homeless people money instead of food so that they can buy stuff they need” to “give homeless people money for drugs”

And what’s up with the “going cold turkey could kill them!!” like yeah they’re definitely going to die from withdrawal symptoms because YOU didn’t give them your laundromat change. As a former addict I can guarantee you that if they want drugs, they’re gonna find a way to get drugs.

Alcohol and drugs are not an “occasional treat”. Viewing hard drugs as “occasional treats” is far more dangerous than giving a homeless guy a sandwich. 

Sorry but even if I were rich I wouldn’t give homeless people money for drugs and alcohol.

A few things you need to know about this hot coffee case:

MORE FUN FACTS:

9. The woman who was burned was not driving the car, she was a passenger.

10. The car was not in motion when she was burned. The car was parked so she could add cream and sugar.

The coffee case is one of the biggest examples of a carefully-crafted smear campaign by a company that is in the wrong trying to hide that.

Additionally, several people had been badly burned by McDonald’s coffee prior to that case, both employees and customers, and McDonald’s had been fined and told to lower the heat of their coffee. They refused to lower the coffee’s heat, continuing to serve a product they KNEW from EXPERIENCE was dangerous, because they could.

When she was burned, she reached out to McDonald’s for them to cover her medical expenses. They sent her a coupon booklet as a big eff yuu.

She required skin grafts not just on her genitals but on her thighs, buttocks, and I think stomach. Like, it was a lot of skin grafts! And did you know that skin grafts don’t always take? She was very severely hurt by a product that McDonald’s knew for a FACT was dangerous.

But nah, go on talking about how she was just foolish and greedy, that’s obviously the case, big corporations have all of our best interest in heart, really they do.

Her name was Stella Liebeck. She has since passed away but I think it’s important to name the victim in this story. Her name was Stella Liebeck and the coffee was so hot that it fused her labia together. It melted her genitals closed. But it’s all just a giant joke, huh?

Omg wtf why are yall so butthurt over this I’m dying

Are we going to talk about all the people who have gotten hurt by products, ever? That’s a lot of victims. 

we have the technology to turn salt water into potable water and we don’t use it

we have the technology to have unlimited solar energy and we don’t use it

we have the technology to turn the Sahara desert into farm land and we don’t use it

capitalism get on my damn nerves

people always talk about how capitalism is so innovative, but conveniently leaves out that the innovation is only for the sake of profit they never mention that when the prosperity of the entire population isn’t profitable, everyone but the ruling class is left to die

Please god tell me that ths stupid ass post doesn’t really have over 200,000 notes.

Uhhhhhhhh the Sahara desert is not a waste land to be plowed and farmed? Lots of people live there, not to mention unique animal and plant species. 

Yes we have the technology to get solar energy but we still can’t transport it so what is the point of this post?? 

Every year, less and less people die of starvation and dehydration but yeah the world is definitely going to hell because “we” don’t use all this amazing technology. 

What are Snowflakes made of? Water.

Fairfax County, VA

Natasha McKenna was fully restrained when 6 officers tased her 4 times back in February. Natasha was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 12 and all 6 officers were fully aware of her mental health history and her deteriorating mental state at the time of her murder. 

Despite all of this, Natasha’s murder has been ruled an “accident”.

This was no accident. Natasha McKenna was deliberately tortured and executed. The 6 officers responsible for killing Natasha still have not been named and are still on duty. Everyone involved in the killing and cover-up MUST be held accountable.

The last known words of Natasha McKenna were:

“You promised you wouldn’t hurt me!”

Nepal Government Struggles to Provide Earthquake Relief

How to Help

I am so sick of boy positivity posts. Men can be marginalized at other intersections (and may want/need to be reaffirmed at those intersections), but men as a class do not need “positivity”; society already provides them all the power and affirmation they could ever need.

There’s no need to say “boys are cute and unstoppable” because nothing materially contradicts that on a structural level. Those kinds of messages have already been internalized because they are supported on every level. “Boy positivity” was not borne out of the need to be reaffirmed as a societally disadvantaged population; it was borne out of a selfish, knee-jerk, ‘why don’t we have that?!’ reaction to the positivity among and for women.

This post is disgusting to me. There is “boy positivity” because males are also hurt by misogynistic views. They are not socially allowed to express their emotions, are pushed out of certain career paths, and can be harassed for sensitive behavior. We are all human beings. We face different difficulties. If you would like to hold the opinion that women have it harder in most cases, you have the right, and I would agree. But to claim that men don’t deserve positivy, or to feel that their issues are valid, is very ignorant.

Making a post that says “all boys should remember they’re cute and awesome!” is very different to saying “boys should remember that crying is ok and does not make you less of a man.” The first one is saying something every media outlet and society as a whole is saying: men are great. Women do not get that. They are shown as less, as something second to men, and this is why girls should get to read “girls are beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise” on their dashboard. Because they don’t get that from anywhere else, unlike boys. 

Career paths are, yes, often gendered, but this affects women more than it does men. Never minding that female dominated careers are paid less than those dominated by men, women are also rejected and pushed out of leading positions. If a man wants to be a secretary, the only “oppression” they will face is social pressure to get a “manly” job. If a woman wants to be any type of boss or leader, that’s too bad, because odds are she won’t get the job. In women’s work oppression the oppressor is the hiring company and society, but men only have to get through the social issues to get the job they want, as the rest is pretty much given to them.

It’s not about “deserving” positivity, it’s more about needing it. A lot of girls need confirmation that they aren’t second to men, and reading positive posts online helps. Men’s issues are a result of a misogynistic society, but making posts reaffirming that boys are great does nothing to help that, only reaffirming what society already thinks. Like OP said, the reason anyone started making boy positivity posts is because for once in this lifetime girls had something boys didn’t. And apparently that’s not allowed to happen. So no, I don’t think we need boy positivity posts.

Lol what the actual fuck.

Oh yeah feminism is totally about equality, guys!!!

anonymous

[Image description: this is an info-graphic that is mostly text, with one pie-graph in the center, but otherwise consists of bullet lists and short blurbs citing the injustices regularly committed by the Judge Rotenberg Center.

There are three horizontal sections. The top section contains a large cream-color title banner framed mostly in a dark-salmon color. In large fonts, the title reads:

The next horizontal section contains three black vertical sub-sections banded at the top by a muted-teal-color banner that spans the width of the info-graphic. The text on this banner reads:

This banner points to the left-most sub-section, where the text reads: 

In the center-most section, there is a pie chart, titled:

Below the chart are numbers associated with each color in the chart. Text reads:

The right-most sub-section contains a quote:

At the bottom of the middle horizontal section, there is another banner that spans the width of the info-graphic, this time dark-salmon-color and pointing at the Méndez quote above on the right. The text on this banner reads:

The lowest horizontal section is divided into two sub-sections. The lower-left section has a cream-color background and consists of a bullet list. The text reads:

The lower-right sub-section is muted-teal and its text reads:

End of image description.]

thanks Vlad for making an image description for the infographic we made!

Autism Speaks supports the JRC. The JRC profits from the practice of abuse, torture, and human rights violations. There is no clearer example of the reach and power of ableist attitudes in our society, and how devalued disabled lives have become. The JRC needs to be shut down permanently.

“It’s not my job to educate you”

Fine then it’s not my job to care about why you are upset with me

Stephen Hawking on Zayn leaving 1D (via fuckyeahzarry)

tumblr staff: *makes lgbt tags nsfw*

tumblr staff: *deletes doxxes of the literal kkk*

tumblr staff: *deletes the ferguson tag*

tumblr staff: FIGHT INTERNET CENSORSHIP!!

reblog this as long as it’s still up

* The LGBT tag contains a lot of porn, thus making the contents not safe for work. Pretty sure if loads of porn was tagged #puppies then they’d do the same

* Of course they did you shits doxxing is not only against the terms and conditions, doing it, to ANYONE NO MATTER WHAT THEIR OPINIONS makes you a shitty person. You can ruin people’s lives.

* No they didn’t stop lying https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/ferguson

Goddamn you’re stupid

lord help me

I tweeted how the Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge was mean and kind of racist and this bitch asked “how” it took all of me to not reach through my cell phone and cyber slap this bitch

Because you don't have an answer?