Harry Shukman, a journalist and activist from Hope Not Hate, went undercover to shed light on a powerful network promoting scientific racism. He shares his shocking discoveries about elite circles' beliefs regarding race. Adam Rutherford, a writer and geneticist, provides insights on the historical roots of these ideologies. They discuss alarming connections between far-right movements and mainstream discourse, highlighting the need for society to confront and dismantle these harmful narratives while emphasizing the dangers they pose to minority communities.
The undercover investigation revealed intricate tactics needed to infiltrate far-right groups, highlighting the importance of an authentic backstory for trust-building.
The emergence of 'Aporia' underscores a troubling trend of mainstreaming extreme racial ideologies, fueled by significant financial backing and connections to influential figures.
Deep dives
Undercover Investigation and Personal Backstory
An undercover investigation delves into the elaborate tactics required to infiltrate far-right groups, emphasizing the necessity of a well-crafted backstory to gain trust. The journalist adopted the alias 'Chris' and assumed the guise of a mundane profession to avoid arousing suspicion. Being prepared for probing personal questions, like family background and educational history, is crucial for establishing credibility within these groups. This meticulous groundwork allows the investigator to navigate dangerous environments and engage with figures known for their violent and extreme beliefs.
Secretive Conference on Racial Ideologies
The investigation led to a pivotal conference in Tallinn, Estonia, organized by prominent far-right figures aiming to discuss the future of racial ideologies. Attendees included some of the most extreme right-wing activists, highlighting the resurgence of harmful racial theories under the guise of intellectual discourse. Topics such as 're-migration' were central to discussions, promoting the idea that individuals of foreign descent should be deported regardless of their citizenship status. The atmosphere of the conference illustrated a coordinated strategy to revive discredited ideas linked to scientific racism and to connect various factions of far-right ideology.
Emergence of 'Aporia' and Mainstream Strategies
A new publication, 'Aporia,' led by a figure named Matt Archer, surfaced as a significant outlet for disseminating scientific racism and controversial ideas cloaked in seemingly benign terminology. Archer claimed to be expanding the 'Overton window' to make radical concepts more acceptable in public discourse and boasted connections with notable mainstream figures to lend credibility to his publication. The magazine’s readership consists of thousands, raising alarms about the normalizing of extreme ideologies within societal frameworks. Aporia represents not just a fringe publication but an orchestrated attempt to infiltrate broader discussions, embedding radical views in conventional narratives.
Funding Sources and Alarming Connections
The investigation unearthed a connection between 'Aporia' and funding from a Silicon Valley investor, which raised significant concerns about the financial backing of racist ideologies. The investor, identified as Andrew Conroy, had a history of supporting various projects, some of which were controversial and aligned with far-right objectives, while also funding progressive causes. This paradoxical support underscores the complexity and confusion in the funding landscape of ideological movements today. Revealing the investor's identity marked a turning point in understanding how far-right ideologies may leverage substantial financial resources to gain legitimacy and influence public opinion.
Harry Shukman of the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate went undercover to expose how some of the wealthiest and most powerful people see race. He tells Michael Safi what he found Read: the Guardian’s full investigation Watch: Undercover: Exposing the Far Right. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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