The Hammer on hate

I’m even afraid to respond to this, for fear that it adds fuel to the fire. But I’d like to ask Patrick Lejtenyi what his point was in the article he wrote about white supremacist tattoos [“Hate under the sleeve,” Jan. 30]. Pat, what are you doing?

While the use of expert testimony is generally applauded by anti-racism activists, some of us question the need for it. Not whether or not the testimony was valuable, but why would an expert be needed to identify symbols of hatred?

In an effort to create public awareness of racism and anti-racist action, judgements made on the basis of skin - tattooed or coloured - motivates a reciprocal relationship of intolerance. Acknowledging their symbols strengthens identification among these misfits. The negative reinforcement is what stimulates their cause. You have to realize that these misfits are the minority, and they know it. They are always looking for identification, recognition and unacceptance. When we consider that their ultimate definition is hate, we can comprehend that they will respond to anger, criticism and intolerance. That is what motivates them.

By identifying these archetypal symbols, mythological and historical information, numerical codes, organizations and leaders, you have effectively provided these deviants with much-needed information and recognition. Acknowledging their identity iconographically can promote their cause as well as lead them to information where they might access more hateful propaganda on a worldwide mission for supremacy.

These people are always looking for “the others.” They fall for all of the standard stereotypes. For all we know, these skinheads are simply mascots for the far right. Acknowledging them even in a bad light reinforces their iconography and their cause.

There is bad information in circulation about white supremacy. In fact, any information tends to be bad information. There are several books that name names and organizations and fill heads full of ideas about belonging. These books are usually written with infiltration as the goal. But to the skinhead they’re a resource for finding peers. Access to information, even the kind that denounces them, leads them closer to distributors of hate lit and other propaganda. I have done research on this and I can account that this info is bogus, ignorant and full of false facts and figures. It is propaganda that promotes purity, blames minorities and urges people to send away for more information.

Several years ago there was a Canadian film made called White Lies. At the time I was mixed up with the wrong crew, and we were asked to be extras in this production. I declined, but waited with anticipation for it to be aired on TV. It was a story of an angry young girl who felt ostracized and was taken in by a group of skinheads working under the organization of a few individuals. I was mainly interested in the similarities between her and me, and less about the actual message of the plot. I remember feeling like I was finally being represented, that I was understood. We were being portrayed on television; so I could not be the only one. This reinforced my image and gave me the feeling of acceptance. Even if it was negative.

We all know the slogan Hate Breeds Hate. Anti-racist organizations attract like-minded intolerant individuals. Who’s to say that that one form of intolerance is any better than the other? In this action-oriented organization exists a similar foundation just as intolerant as the other. This only adds fuel to the fire. Go as far left as you can go, and you’ll wind up right; the point is that it’s all the same thing.

I therefore challenge Patrick Lejtenyi to see past tattoos and skin colour. It’s easy enough to identify who’s who in the world of hate culture, but much harder to see what’s below the surface. I suggest you consider who might be influenced by his information and stop fighting back. Try positive reinforcement, empathy and tolerance.

P.S. kudos to whoever crossed out the white-power graffiti in my neighbourhood and replaced it with “Power to the People.”

» The Hammer

Tech tips

First off, I was disappointed in your article about Wi-Fi technology [“Internet in the air,” Jan. 30]. There’s way more to the world of Wi-Fi than hacking and warchalking. The subject could fill a book, several books, and while I’m not opposed to an interesting computer-related blurb, I found myself unable to keep silent when I read today’s response to it [E-mail, Feb. 6].

I quote from the letter: “Until Wi-Fi has the necessary technology to keep it secure, it won’t help us at all. Let’s hope that the CRTC and Internet privacy companies of the world do something before it’s too late.”

First off, Wi-Fi does have the necessary technology to keep it secure, in the form of RSA encryption keys (usually four of ’em). These keys are well near impossible to break, and the vast majority of consumer wireless access points support their use. The only excuse for poor security in the world of Wi-Fi are ignorant citizenry who tend to plug something in before reading the manual, or lazy system administrators - and both of these things are human, not technological, failings.

A few words of advice on writing about technical subjects: short articles are more apt to confuse than inform, and never assume more than a “what does this button do?” level of knowledge from the general public.

» GD

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