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- Founder of the Traditionalist Worker Party
Where Charlottesville, Virginia Who: Matthew Heimbach When 2013 Born on April 8, 1991, in Poolesville, Maryland, Matthew Heimbach emerged as a prominent figure in far-right and white nationalist movements in the United States. In 2013, he founded the Traditionalist Youth Network (TYN), a group advocating for white nationalism, anti-Semitism, and other extremist ideologies. Two years later, Heimbach co-founded the Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP), which sought to further his vision of racial segregation and nationalist ideals. His leadership in these groups, coupled with his participation in the infamous 2017 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, marked him as one of the most controversial figures in contemporary far-right movements. Heimbach’s activism extended to organizing rallies and events promoting anti-immigrant and white nationalist ideologies. His rhetoric often emphasized a return to racial segregation and the preservation of what he described as "traditional" cultural values. The 2017 Charlottesville rally, which resulted in violence and the death of a counter-protester, highlighted the dangerous consequences of his divisive ideology. In addition to his political efforts, Heimbach faced legal troubles, including a 2018 conviction for assault, further illustrating the destructive nature of his agenda. Matthew Heimbach’s actions and affiliations have drawn widespread condemnation, serving as a reminder of the persistence of extremist ideologies in modern society. While his influence has waned in recent years due to internal conflicts and legal issues, his story underscores the dangers of radicalization and the consequences of hate-driven activism. The backlash against his movements has also spurred broader discussions on combating white nationalism and fostering inclusivity. Heimbach’s legacy is a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against extremism and the enduring need for social and racial justice. Sources: Website: Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). Matthew Heimbach. SPLC. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/matthew-heimbach
- Unite the Right rally
Where Charlottesville, Virginia Who: Richard B. Spencer When 2017 Born on May 11, 1978, in Boston, Massachusetts, Richard B. Spencer has gained notoriety as a leading figure in the white nationalist movement in the United States. As the president of the National Policy Institute (NPI), a white supremacist think tank, Spencer has consistently advocated for the establishment of a white ethno-state, which he refers to as "white Zionism." His rhetoric, particularly at events like the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has made him one of the most controversial and polarizing figures in contemporary American politics, emblematic of the resurgence of overt white supremacy in public discourse. Spencer’s activism focuses on promoting a vision of racial separatism, often framed as the creation of a "racial empire" modeled after historical powers such as the Roman Empire. His speeches and writings advocate for the unification of the white race and the removal of racial minorities through ethnic cleansing. Beyond his call for a white ethno-state, Spencer has expressed deeply inflammatory views, including advocating for the enslavement of Haitians by whites and drawing inspiration from figures like George Lincoln Rockwell, founder of the American Nazi Party. His prominent role in organizing and headlining neo-Nazi rallies, including Charlottesville’s deadly Unite the Right rally, has underscored the dangerous implications of his extremist ideology. Richard Spencer’s actions have sparked widespread condemnation and resistance, highlighting the persistent threat of white supremacist ideologies in the modern era. While his influence has waned due to public backlash, legal troubles, and internal conflicts within the far-right movement, his legacy remains a stark warning of the dangers posed by hate-driven ideologies. The violent and divisive events he has championed, such as Charlottesville, serve as pivotal moments in the ongoing fight against racism and extremism. Spencer’s story underscores the need for vigilance, advocacy, and dialogue to counteract the forces of hatred and promote a more inclusive society. Sources: Website: Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). Matthew Heimbach. SPLC. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/matthew-heimbach
- Founder of Daily Stormer
Where Inter-Webb Who: Andrew Anglin When 2013 Born on July 27, 1984, in Ohio, Andrew Anglin rose to infamy as the founder and editor of The Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi website launched in 2013. Using his platform to amplify white nationalist and alt-right ideologies, Anglin gained notoriety for his provocative and inflammatory content. The website became a hub for harassment campaigns, propaganda, and the incitement of racial violence, cementing Anglin as a polarizing figure in the digital sphere of extremism. His work targeted young white males, leveraging internet culture and sensationalized articles to propagate his message. Anglin’s ideological journey began within online communities such as 4chan, where he embraced white supremacist views that would later form the foundation of The Daily Stormer. The website’s content, characterized by its meme-heavy approach and unapologetically racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric, was designed to appeal to a younger, internet-savvy audience. Anglin used his platform to orchestrate harassment campaigns against individuals, spread false narratives, and stoke racial tensions. His ability to blend internet humor with extremist propaganda marked a new and dangerous evolution in the dissemination of hate-filled ideologies. Andrew Anglin’s work has drawn widespread condemnation and legal challenges, resulting in lawsuits that have bankrupted him and pushed The Daily Stormer to the fringes of the internet. Despite these setbacks, his story highlights the persistent threat of online radicalization and the role of digital platforms in spreading extremism. Anglin’s actions have inspired critical discussions on the need for robust measures to counter hate speech and protect vulnerable communities. His legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the power and peril of internet culture in shaping and amplifying extremist movements, underscoring the ongoing battle against hate-driven ideologies in the digital age. Sources: Website: Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). Andrew Anglin. SPLC. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/andrew-anglin
- 2017 Unite the Right Rally: A Case Study in Extremism
Where Charlottesville, Virginia Who: Christopher Cantwell When 2017 Born on November 12, 1980, Christopher Cantwell became a polarizing figure within the alt-right movement, known for his advocacy of racist libertarian anarcho-capitalism. Initially gaining attention for his anti-government rhetoric, Cantwell’s focus shifted to promoting white nationalism and racial supremacist ideologies. His participation in the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, catapulted him into the national spotlight, with his controversial actions and rhetoric captured in a widely viewed Vice News Tonight documentary. Cantwell’s evolution from anti-government libertarianism to overt white nationalism marked a significant shift in his activism. His outspoken views and participation in extremist rallies reflected a deep commitment to his beliefs on race and governance, which he framed as central to contemporary political struggles. At the Unite the Right rally, Cantwell was seen wielding firearms, threatening protesters, and marching with tiki torches while chanting antisemitic slogans such as “Jews will not replace us!” This public display of extremism, coupled with his role in spreading conspiracy theories, solidified his position as one of the rally's most notorious participants. Christopher Cantwell’s actions at Charlottesville and his subsequent criminal charges have made him a cautionary symbol of the dangers posed by the alt-right movement. His trajectory from libertarianism to white nationalism highlights the fluidity and intersection of extremist ideologies. While Cantwell has faced widespread condemnation, including legal repercussions, his story underscores the importance of addressing radicalization and the impact of hate speech. Cantwell’s legacy invites reflection on the broader societal challenges of combating extremism, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring accountability in the face of divisive ideologies. Sources: Website: Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Christopher Cantwell. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Cantwell Counter Extremism Project. (n.d.). Christopher Cantwell. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/christopher-cantwell
- Founding Father and Racist Physician
Who: Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) What: Promoted theories of Black biological inferiority. When: Late 18th century Details: Rush believed that Black skin was a form of leprosy and that Black people were biologically different from whites. These beliefs were widely disseminated in his medical teachings and writings, contributing to the justification of racial discrimination and slavery. Why and How It Was Racist: Rush's pseudoscientific theories provided an intellectual foundation for the racist belief in Black inferiority, influencing both medical practice and public opinion. Sources: https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn- people/biography/benjamin-rush/ d'Elia, D. J. (1969). Dr. Benjamin Rush and the Negro. Journal of the History of Ideas, 30(3), 413-422. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2708566
- The Society of the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG)
Who: The Society of the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) What: A British trading company involved in the transatlantic slave trade. When:1660 Details: The Royal African Company was granted a monopoly on the British trade of enslaved Africans. It was heavily involved in the capture, transport, and sale of African slaves to the American colonies. The company's activities were justified by racist ideologies that viewed Black people as commodities and inherently inferior to Europeans. The company's trade routes and economic interests also facilitated the spread of pseudoscientific theories about racial differences. Why and How It Was Racist: The Royal African Company's operations were based on the dehumanization and exploitation of Black people, driven by a belief in racial superiority. Its economic activities and support of related scientific research reinforced systemic racism and the transatlantic slave trade. Sources: Carlos, A. M., & Kruse, J. B. (1996). The decline of the Royal African Company: fringe firms and the role of the charter. Economic History Review , 291-313. Pettigrew, W. A. (2013). Freedom's Debt: The Royal African Company and the Politics of the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1672-1752 . UNC Press Books. https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/the-royal-african-company-supplying-slaves-to- jamestown.htm Searle, A., & Vine, E. (Eds.). (n.d.). The correspondence of The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. EMLO. http://emlo-portal.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/collections/?catalogue=society-for-the-propagation-of-the-gospel
- Innovator in Multicore Processors
Date: Afara Web Systems – 2000 Migo – 2014 SambaNova – 2017 Who: Kunle Olukotun Where: Mostly based in California What: Innovator in multicore processors. Leader of the Stanford Hydra multichip processor research project. He has also co-founded 3 tech companies. Resources: Learn more: pending content
- Swedish Botanist, Physician, and Zoologist
Who: Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) What: Developed a classification system for humans that reinforced racial hierarchies. When: Mid-18th century Details: Carl Linnaeus is famous for developing a system for classifying living organisms, but he also classified humans into several groups based on physical and cultural characteristics. In his work "Systema Naturae" (1735), he categorized humans into Americanus, Asiaticus, Africanus, and Europeanus, attributing different characteristics and behaviors to each group. This classification reinforced the idea of racial hierarchies and the supposed superiority of Europeans. Why and How It Was Racist: Linnaeus' classification system gave scientific credibility to the idea of racial differences and hierarchies, which influenced future scientific and social thought on race. Sources: https://www.linnean.org/learning/who-was-linnaeus/linnaeus-and- race Hübinette, T., Wikström, P., & Samuelsson, J. (2022). Scientist or Racist? The Racialized Memory War Over Monuments to Carl Linnaeus in Sweden During the Black Lives Matter Summer of 2020. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies , 9 (3), 27-55. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48710349
- Physician and Proponent of Scientific Racism
Who: Dr. Samuel Cartwright (1793-1863) What: Known for his medical theories that claimed physiological differences between Black and white people. When: Early to mid-19th century Details: Dr. Cartwright is infamous for his theory of "Drapetomania," a supposed mental illness that caused enslaved Black people to flee captivity. He also proposed that Black individuals had different lung capacities and used these pseudoscientific claims to justify slavery and the subjugation of Black people. Why and How It Was Racist: Cartwright's work provided a veneer of scientific legitimacy to the racist beliefs that underpinned slavery, reinforcing the dehumanization and mistreatment of Black individuals. Sources: Willoughby, C. D. (2018). Running away from drapetomania: Samuel A. Cartwright, medicine, and race in the Antebellum South. The Journal of Southern History , 84 (3), 579-614. Guillory, J. D. (1968). The pro-slavery arguments of Dr. Samuel A. Cartwright. Louisiana history , 209- 227. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4231017
- Historian and Plantation Owner
Who: Edward Long (1734-1813) What: Authored "The History of Jamaica," which promoted scientific racism. When: Late 18th century Details: Long's work included extensive commentary on the supposed racial inferiority of Africans, using pseudoscientific observations to argue that Black people were naturally suited to enslavement and were inherently inferior to whites. His writings were influential in justifying and perpetuating slavery in the Caribbean and beyond. Why and How It Was Racist: Long's theories provided a scholarly basis for racist ideologies, reinforcing the social and legal structures of slavery and discrimination against Black people. Sources: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146633762 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Long
- British Physician and Surgeon
Who: Charles White (1728–1813) What: Authored works that claimed the inherent inferiority of Black people. When: Late 18th century Details: Charles White's book "An Account of the Regular Gradation in Man" (1799) argued that Black people were a separate species, closer to apes than to white people. He used measurements of skulls and other body parts to justify his claims of racial hierarchy, arguing that Europeans were superior. Why and How It Was Racist: White's pseudoscientific claims provided a justification for the enslavement and mistreatment of Black people, reinforcing the belief in white supremacy. Sources: White, Charles (1799), An Account of the Regular Gradation in Man, and in different Animals and Vegetables, C. Dilly https://speculativefaith.lorehaven
- Dutch Anatomist, Anthropologist, and Naturalist
Who: Petrus Camper (1722–1789) What: Developed the "facial angle" theory to compare the physiognomy of different races. When: Mid to late 18th century Details: Camper's "facial angle" theory was used to measure the angle between the forehead and the jawline, comparing humans to animals. He claimed that the facial angles of Black people were closer to those of apes, while Europeans had angles more similar to classical Greek statues, which he considered ideal. Why and How It Was Racist: Camper's theories were used to argue that Black people were biologically inferior to white people, providing a scientific rationale for racial discrimination and colonization. Sources: Lynn, M.R. (2002). [Review of the book Race and Aesthetics in the Anthropology of Petrus Camper (1722-1789)]. Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences 57 (2), 228- 229. https://www.muse.jhu.edu/article/15327 . Panese, F. (2014). The creation of the “negro” at the turn of the nineteenth century: Petrus Camper, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, and Julien-Joseph Virey. In The Invention of Race (pp. 48-59). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315813318-4/creation-negro- turn-nineteenth-century-francesco-panese