What Does Alt-Right Really Mean and Why it’s Important to Know

I’m sure you have heard the term Alt-Right, maybe even you have been accused of being in the Alt-Right. You might even believe that you are Alt-Right.

The term Alt-Right seems to mean, whoever the Progressive Left disagrees with. But what does it really mean?

Basically the Alt-Right is identity politics for the right. It includes White Nationalist, White Supremacists, Neo-Nazi’s, and anyone who thinks Western Culture is exclusive to white people.

The Alt-Right are National Socialists, which means they want a bigger government taking care of people and protecting them, except they want it ran by and for what they call the ‘white race.’

Some people advocate for violence and others are peaceful but they all want a separation of the races, particularly white people separated from anyone who is non-white.

A good working definition for the Alt-Right would be: A person or group who believes in the superiority of white people and seeks the formation of a rigidly controlled and regulated top down white ethno-state. Belief that races should not mix and that Western culture is white culture and can only be preserved by white people.

Of course the Alt-Right is a broad term and many groups and individuals will disagree on a few subjects so this definition, like any other, is not perfect. Instead it is a frame of reference to relate back to when dealing with this term.

Why this Definition is Important

It is important to define the terms we use and this term is important for two reasons.

The first is that with a clear definition people can separate from the Alt-Right that are not Alt-Right.

Being called Alt-Right does not mean you are in the Alt-Right any more than being called an A**hole makes you one.

By leaving the definition vague people might believe they are truly Alt-Right. This is not true.

For example you are not Alt-Right for wanting immigration reform. The reason why you want immigration reform will determine if you are Alt-Right or not. If you desire reform because you want to keep the white race pure, you are Alt-Right. If you desire reform because you think it is too easy for people to stay in the country illegally while obtaining benefits, you are not Alt-Right.

The Alt-Right tries to hide behind and appropriate ideas on the right. In the above example they will just say they want immigration reform and leave out the racial component. While the goals may be similar, the ends are very different. This is why a separation is needed less people assume you have the same goals in mind and share the same philosophy.

The Alt-Right uses this loose definition to appear as if they have a large following and more power than they actually possess. Do not let the Alt-Right define you.

Disarming the Progressive Left

The second reason is to take the power away from the Progressive Left.

Currently the term Alt-Right is being used as a club against anyone the Progressive Left does not like. Ben Shapiro (who is Jewish and who received the most anti-Semitic harassment online in 2016, mostly from the Alt-Right) has been called Alt-Right. Dave Rubin (a classical liberal and a gay man) has also been called Alt-Right. Richard Spencer (a white nationalist) has been called Alt-Right. Nothing connects these three people together other than their opposition to the extreme actions of the Progressive Left by groups such as Antifa. They even disagree with the form that opposition should take.

If we can clearly define what Alt-Right is than it cannot be used against people who are not in the Alt-Right. If there is a publicly agreed upon definition of Alt-Right the word will lose its power when used incorrectly. People won’t be able to say you are Alt-Right for saying you are Pro-Free Speech.

It will also allow other people to recognize those who only use the term to slander their political enemies. It will reveal those who are willing to use deception to achieve their goals and call into question those goals that require deception to achieve.

The Progressive Left uses this loose definition as a weapon against anyone they disagree with. Do not let the Progressive Left define you.

Words Matter

The definitions for the words we use matter. If we do not share common definitions we cannot talk to each other.

If you cannot solve your problems by talking, that only leads to fighting.

A clear definition of the term Alt-Right will go a long way to helping people separate those who are actual racist from those who have different opinions. It will take the power away from those who would seek to label anyone they don’t like Alt-Right and thus bad people.

If you do not help in defining this term it will leave it to the Alt-Right and the Progressive Left to do it, and do you want to be defined by them?