13 votes

Martin Sellner: The new face of the far right in Europe

15 comments

  1. [4]
    wise
    Link
    Are they aware that by talking about how well he dresses and how hip he is and how much money his group has to spend they implicitly legitimize him? I don't understand why they keep doing it.

    Are they aware that by talking about how well he dresses and how hip he is and how much money his group has to spend they implicitly legitimize him? I don't understand why they keep doing it.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      clerical_terrors
      Link Parent
      Because they (bbc) also want to remain respectable, these kinds of reports are going out of their way to avoid lampooning or mocking these people, to treat them with an air of respect even if they...

      Because they (bbc) also want to remain respectable, these kinds of reports are going out of their way to avoid lampooning or mocking these people, to treat them with an air of respect even if they don't respect them in truth. And while you can argue that that's a good thing, and that they are upholding a kind of ideal of decorum, it does as you say: it legitimizes this person.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        EightRoundsRapid
        Link Parent
        Like it or not, the far right are getting elected across Europe, so they've already been legitimised by the electorate of several EU member states. And the BBC has a mandate to cover the news, and...

        Like it or not, the far right are getting elected across Europe, so they've already been legitimised by the electorate of several EU member states. And the BBC has a mandate to cover the news, and those making/generating it.

        In an ideal world this wouldn't get coverage because it wouldn't be happening, but it is, and as such I believe news organisations have a duty to report and analyse and inform on what sort of people these are.

        The fact that this guy isn't some cider swilling, tattoo covered yob on a street corner shows that these attitudes and aims are everywhere amongst us, and making people cognisant of that through reporting and profiling is important. These aren't "others" with far right views, they're our neighbours in the working, middle and upper class areas, our work colleagues and some of our elected representatives.

        1 vote
        1. clerical_terrors
          Link Parent
          See I don't agree with this, for one because I feel like it inverses the order of things, the media legitimised the far-right before the elections started sweeping them in. They didn't just wake...

          See I don't agree with this, for one because I feel like it inverses the order of things, the media legitimised the far-right before the elections started sweeping them in. They didn't just wake up one day with a thousand votes and then suddenly decided it was time to start wearing ties.

          And there's ways of covering news, journalism is an entire area of study up until doctorate level for a very good reason: there is no one true, objective way of reporting. Words aren't without their deliberate choices nor consequences. And the BBC could very well report on this without having to mention the fancy shoes or hip affectation, unless they specifically wanted to talk about the why of it. It's the same as with movies like American History X, the way you frame things is never fully impartial.

          2 votes
  2. [4]
    CrazyOtter
    Link
    This dude is the latest cover star for the far right in Europe. He certainty fits into the "polished" mold most of the other new fascist leaders seem to aim for. Interesting that he comes from a...

    This dude is the latest cover star for the far right in Europe. He certainty fits into the "polished" mold most of the other new fascist leaders seem to aim for. Interesting that he comes from a fairly affluent background.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      EightRoundsRapid
      Link Parent
      Ha. I've just listened to the latest episode of Crossing Continents on Radio 4 about Sellner/Generation Identity. This article is basically a companion piece to the radio programme. Both are by...

      Ha. I've just listened to the latest episode of Crossing Continents on Radio 4 about Sellner/Generation Identity.

      This article is basically a companion piece to the radio programme. Both are by the same journalist and producer.

      3 votes
      1. CrazyOtter
        Link Parent
        Oh nice I listen to that podcast too, I'll check that out later today.

        Oh nice I listen to that podcast too, I'll check that out later today.

        2 votes
    2. Indigo
      Link Parent
      It is to seem non rabid and educated, I think.

      It is to seem non rabid and educated, I think.

  3. [3]
    rkcr
    Link
    Serious question: what is the name of that haircut that so many white supremacists have? Where they have long hair in the middle, but shaved short on the sides? And why have so many of them...

    Serious question: what is the name of that haircut that so many white supremacists have? Where they have long hair in the middle, but shaved short on the sides? And why have so many of them adopted it?

    1 vote
    1. JuniperMonkeys
      Link Parent
      It's called an undercut, but I have no idea why they like it so much. Maybe it's because it was traditionally associated with militaries and gangsters in the '10s-'40s, since it was fast and...

      It's called an undercut, but I have no idea why they like it so much. Maybe it's because it was traditionally associated with militaries and gangsters in the '10s-'40s, since it was fast and didn't take a lot of skill to do? Probably just comes down to "that's what all the cool neonazis in their social group have".

      2 votes
    2. wise
      Link Parent
      You can find it by "Peaky" (as in Peaky Blinders), or "fashy" (obvious origin of that haha).

      You can find it by "Peaky" (as in Peaky Blinders), or "fashy" (obvious origin of that haha).

  4. [3]
    KyloCommunist1917
    Link
    One thing I genuinely do not understand about far right groups is their obsession with torches. The KKK does it, the Alt-Right of America does it, and apparently so do the Identitarians of Europe.

    One thing I genuinely do not understand about far right groups is their obsession with torches. The KKK does it, the Alt-Right of America does it, and apparently so do the Identitarians of Europe.

    1 vote
    1. cfabbro
      Link Parent
      https://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2017/08/15/a-short-history-of-torches-and-intimidation/#34d69ac26762 TL;DR - Torches have a long history, going back to at least the Roman times, of being...

      https://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2017/08/15/a-short-history-of-torches-and-intimidation/#34d69ac26762

      TL;DR - Torches have a long history, going back to at least the Roman times, of being used by mobs to evoke fear and intimidate others... but in modern history they also have very clear associations with Nazi rallies and lynchings in the US.

      1 vote
    2. CALICO
      Link Parent
      Torches are a pretty established symbol: Fire itself carries symbolic weight. Depending on context, fire can represent warmth, illumination, inspiration, enlightenment, pain, death, destruction,...

      Torches are a pretty established symbol:

      The torch is a common emblem of both enlightenment and hope. Thus the Statue of Liberty, actually "Liberty Enlightening the World", lifts her torch. Crossed reversed torches were signs of mourning that appear on Greek and Roman funerary monuments—a torch pointed downwards symbolizes death, while a torch held up symbolizes life, truth and the regenerative power of flame.

      Fire itself carries symbolic weight. Depending on context, fire can represent warmth, illumination, inspiration, enlightenment, pain, death, destruction, purification, and in some cultures or religions: divinity.

  5. CCMSTF
    Link
    Seriously, what is up with these alt right haircuts?

    Seriously, what is up with these alt right haircuts?