Sounds Like Hate Baseless: Part IV
May 12, 2021
In this chilling discussion, Tristan Webb, a young recruit from The Base, shares his journey into neo-Nazism. He reflects on the influence of conspiracy theories and his early fascination with extremist figures. His family’s struggle with his radicalization is explored, revealing failed interventions and his deepening beliefs through online relationships and subculture influences. Tristan’s accounts of transforming his family farm into a whites-only compound and dismissing the dangers showcase the alarming pull of extremist ideologies.
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Teen Opens Family Farm To Extremists
- Tristan (then Eric) was a teen recruit who offered his family farm as a whites-only compound for The Base.
- His grandmother Carol saw early warning signs like Hitler videos and changed behavior that worried her.
Family Discovers Radical Symbols Late
- Tristan adopted Nazi imagery, tattoos, and distributed propaganda at school leading to suspension.
- His father Eric says he was unaware of pamphlets and learned about many things only later.
Avoid Only Shaming In Interventions
- Interventions often fail if they only confront believers with 'you're wrong' messages.
- Tristan says direct shaming hardened his views instead of deradicalizing him.
