Christian Picciolini: Reformed White Supremacist now leading the fight against extremism

Christian Picciolini is an Emmy Award-winning director and producer, a published author, a TEDx speaker, and a reformed extremist.  He is the co-founder of Life After Hate, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding long-term solutions that counter racism and violent extremism.  His latest book is titled White American Youth: My Descent into America’s Most Violent Hate Movement – and How I Got Out.

 

Some interesting insights from this episode: 

• “Hatred is born of ignorance. Fear is its father and isolation is its mother.” 

• Hear about the tactics hate groups use to recruit. 

• The birth of his children was the impetus he needed to reprioritize his values and walk away from his former life. 

• The first step in counseling others to leave the extremist movement is just listening. 

• The people who join the extremist movement aren’t generally swayed initially by their philosophy. Most are just searching for identity, community and purpose. 

• Learn how the African American who forgave him for the physical violence he once caused was the trigger that gave him the courage to tell his story to the world. 

• The way we can help is to show compassion to those who deserve it the least because those are the ones who need it the most. 

• “Excellence is being the best human being that you can be.”

 

Show Notes:

Christian’s book: White American Youth: My Descent into America’s Most Violent Hate Movement – and How I Got Out  https://www.amazon.com/White-American-Youth-Americas-Movement/dp/0316522902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515354532&sr=8-1&keywords=christian+picciolini

 Christian’s website: www.christianpicciolini.com

 Christian’s one on one talk with Richard Spencer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U5zCbwFizA