Far-Right Extremists: Are They Racist?

The term 'racist' is often used to describe far-right extremists. However, as we delve into the nature of these extremist groups, we find that their views and actions don't always align with traditional definitions of racism.

Defining Racism and Far-Right Extremists

Definitely, the KKK or other white supremacist groups can be considered racist, by any definition. But the racism we need to be truly concerned about is one that exploits race for financial and political gain, treating minorities as victims and children incapable of managing their own lives.

For decades, I haven't encountered avowed supremacists, but rather, there are two main categories: nationalist far-right and the religious far-right. Some, like the Islamic far-right, reject the current nation-states, such as ISIS, which are essentially religious far-right.

The Religious Far-Right: A Different Perspective

While the religious far-right might not be considered racist in the strictest sense, as they base their actions and beliefs on their world religion, which cannot be inherently racist, the nationalist far-right is undeniably racist. Their views on hyper-nationalism often include other races as long as they share the same nationalistic outlook. This inherent racism is deeply intertwined with the philosophy of 'national greatness.'

Not everyone in the nationalist far-right is of white ethnic background. This misconception is prevalent, and one cannot assume that hyper-nationalist extremist racial thinking is exclusive to the Western world alone.

Other Policies and Ideologies

Your perspective can be against labor unions, against legal minimum wages, and against work safety regulations, among other things, without judging people on their skin color, hair color, nationality, or ethnicity.

The Far-Right and Homophobia

The far-right can internalize other prejudices, such as homophobia. The Russian far-right is often known for its anti-gay rhetoric, which is a specific example of how the far-right can express their disdain for certain groups.

Redefining the Term 'Racist'

The term 'racist' is complex and often misused. Let's explore its definition:

Realism: Far-right extremists base their arguments on empirical evidence, facts, data, and statistics. Their views and opinions about racial-ethnic groups are grounded in reality, not prejudice or discrimination. Minority Status: The term 'minority' as used today implies those who are systematically attacked and marginalized. However, the concept of the global minority is mostly white people. Thus, a white far-right extremist, who themselves belong to a global majority, cannot qualify as a 'racist' based on the traditional definition of the term.

Therefore, in the strictest sense, far-right extremists do not fit the definition of 'racist.' The term may have evolved to include them, but according to the original definition, they do not belong to the 'racist' category.