The sight of Nazis marching through the Short North neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, waving Nazi flags and chanting racist slogans, may have shocked some people outside the Ohio capital, but the spectacle should not have surprised anyone who lives here. Although an expert who monitors white supremacist activity told the New York Times that a St. Louis-area group called Hate Club claimed responsibility for the march in Columbus, the idea that Nazis don’t live in Columbus – that they are exclusively bad Actors U-Hauling in town on a day trip is ridiculous.
White supremacy doesn’t just live here. It thrives here.
After all, this expert on white supremacist activities told the Times that the Hate Club could have marched Saturday as part of a rivalry with a similar group right here in Ohio. Could this club’s rival have been the group that, in May 2023, held a drag brunch fundraiser for a youth center in Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood?
Andrew Anglin, founder of the Daily Stormer, one of the most visited white supremacist websites in the world, grew up in suburban Columbus. He attended Columbus State Community College and Ohio State University. White supremacy doesn’t just live here. It thrives here. I understand why city officials, including the mayor, have to pretend otherwise: it’s hard to get people and businesses to move to your city if you seem too accustomed to having Nazis in your backyard. But in the words of the great philosopher Marlo Stanfield: “You want it to be one way, but it’s the other way.” »
The Nazis know where to go in Columbus. They go where they will not be confronted, or at least where they are not in any real danger of physical danger. And although violence is a tenet of Nazism, the tension that sometimes appears here in Columbus chooses its targets wisely, that is, where they are least likely to be FAFO. That’s why you’ve seen lots of videos from their self-guided gallery through the Short North, but no confrontations. It was a message and a demonstration for other white people. And like any other potential solution to racism, the job falls primarily on other white people. They were barely confronted here, because as long as you don’t stand in front of the TV while the Buckeyes game is in progress, even parading terrorists can get a pass on the most popular street in town.
To be clear: It’s not that Nazis are on every street corner in my town. Columbus is in Franklin County, one of the few blue islands in an otherwise red state. The problem is that, despite this, white supremacy is still comfortable here. Come discover our nationally recognized science center, thriving arts districts, and seasonal white supremacist collection.
I am aware that although the Columbus Police were called in to quell the Nazis, they made no arrests and no use of force was applied, unlike in 2020 when Black protesters Lives Matters in the Short North were tear gassed. and beaten. How do the police explain such hypocrisy?
Jason Meade, who was a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in December 2020, shot and killed Casey Goodson Jr. while he was carrying his dinner. (A mistrial was declared in February when a jury could not agree whether Meade had committed murder.) In August 2022, Officer Ricky Anderson of the Columbus Police Department killed Donovan Lewis, who was allegedly in his bed, unarmed. Anderson, who Columbus officials say “retired in bad shape due to the ongoing criminal and administrative investigations into the death of Donovan Lewis,” is charged with murder and reckless homicide.
Come discover our nationally recognized science center, thriving arts districts, and seasonal white supremacist collection.
When Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said Saturday that city leaders would “monitor the situation in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police to ensure the safety and security of our city,” he must have meant they would make more public statements, but would not. everything to deactivate their terrorism.
Almost everyone condemns the Nazis. Even the White House participated in the Columbus march to check the “racism bad” box on its thoughts and prayers bingo card. “President Biden abhors the hateful poison of Nazism, anti-Semitism, and racism – which are hostile to everything the United States stands for, including protecting the dignity of all our citizens and freedom of worship” , said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates. a press release Monday morning.
The problem is that condemnation is not a concrete action. It’s politics. This is what you do when you want to look like you’re doing something. Condemning Nazis is easy and costs nothing. It’s difficult to criticize our real-time response to tyranny, and it’s even harder to change the culture of a city so that it feels truly unwelcome to such ideologies.
Adam Coy, who was a Columbus police officer in December 2020, murdered Andre Hill, a Black man who was neither armed nor threatening. Coy, who is scheduled to be sentenced next week, murdered Hill as he walked out of his garage. But while the police and deputies kill innocent black men, the Nazis are only watched.
It’s time for city and state officials to take a different approach to the prevalence of white supremacists and stop pretending they all come from somewhere else. It’s also time for them to stop preaching about what they won’t accept, while undeterred watching Nazis march through the streets.
**Considering Dr. Jenkins’ insight that white supremacy “thrives here,” how can Columbus residents effectively challenge this normalized presence beyond reactive measures like public condemnations?**
## Combating White Supremacy in Columbus: An Interview
This interview aims to unpack the complex issue of white supremacy in Columbus, Ohio, as illuminated by the recent Nazi march in the Short North. We have invited two guests:
* **Dr. Sarah Jenkins**, a sociologist specializing in hate groups and extremism.
* **Reverend Malik Johnson**, a prominent community leader actively working on racial justice in Columbus.
**I. The Reality of White Supremacy in Columbus**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Jenkins, the article argues that while shocking to outsiders, the Nazi march shouldn’t have been a surprise to Columbus residents. Could you elaborate on the idea that white supremacy “thrives here” and share your insights on its presence in Columbus?
* **Interviewer:** Reverend Johnson, you work directly with communities affected by racial injustice. What experiences have you witnessed that corroborate or challenge the sentiment that City officials may downplay the presence of white supremacy?
**II. Policing and Inequality: Double Standards in Response**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Jenkins, the article contrasts the lack of action against the Nazis with the police response to Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. How can we understand these seemingly disparate responses through the lens of systemic racism and police behavior?
* **Interviewer:** Reverend Johnson, given your experience working with marginalized communities, can you comment on the psychological and emotional impact of witnessing these contrasting responses on communities of color?
**III. Beyond Condemnation: Concrete Actions Against Extremism**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Jenkins, the article criticizes condemnation as a politically expedient but ultimately ineffective response. What concrete steps can city and state officials take to effectively counter the spread of white supremacist ideologies and prevent future incidents like the Nazi march?
* **Interviewer:** Reverend Johnson, what community-driven initiatives or strategies have proven effective in combating hate and fostering inclusivity in Columbus? What role can citizens play in creating a more welcoming and equitable city?
**IV. Looking Ahead: A Call for Systemic Change**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Jenkins, how do you see the events in Columbus intertwined with larger national trends surrounding white nationalism and extremism? What lessons can be learned from this experience that can inform broader societal change?
* **Interviewer:** Reverend Johnson, what message of hope and resilience would you offer to the community in the wake of this event? What vision do you have for a future Columbus where such acts of hate are not tolerated?
This interview format encourages open discussion, allowing our guests to offer diverse perspectives and insights into a complex and pressing issue. By addressing these key themes, we hope to shed light on the pervasiveness of white supremacy in Columbus, ignite a constructive dialog, and inspire concrete action towards a more just
and equitable future for all.
