Framing the Alt-Right

As the White House fills with white nationalists, they and their allies are working to make their hateful beliefs discussed and normalized. I would like to take a moment to talk about framing and making sure that we all use accurate language that doesn't give them any leeway. Below is an excerpt from the Associated Press on how to talk about the 'Alt-Right'. This name is deceptive and, as the report says, it is important to reframe them as white nationalists or white supremacists whenever possible.

Recent developments have put the so-called “alt-right” movement in the

news. They highlight the need for clarity around use of the term and around

some related terms, such as “white nationalism” and “white supremacism.”

Let’s tackle them.

The “alt-right” or “alternative right” is a name currently embraced by some white

supremacists and white nationalists to refer to themselves and their ideology, which

emphasizes preserving and protecting the white race in the United States in addition to,

or over, other traditional conservative positions such as limited government, low taxes

and strict law-and-order.

The movement has been described as a mix of racism, white nationalism and populism.

Although many adherents backed President-elect Donald Trump in the recent election,

Trump last week said he disavows and condemns the “alt-right.”

The movement criticizes “multiculturalism” and more rights for non-whites, women,

Jews, Muslims, gays, immigrants and other minorities. Its members reject the American

democratic ideal that all should have equality under the law regardless of creed, gender,

ethnic origin or race.

Usage

“Alt-right” (quotation marks, hyphen and lower case) may be used in quotes or modified

as in the “self-described” or “so-called alt-right” in stories discussing what the

movement says about itself.

Avoid using the term generically and without definition, however, because it is not well

known and the term may exist primarily as a public-relations device to make its

supporters’ actual beliefs less clear and more acceptable to a broader audience. In the

past we have called such beliefs racist, neo-Nazi or white supremacist.

Boilerplate

Again, whenever “alt-right” is used in a story, be sure to include a definition: “an

offshoot of conservatism mixing racism, white nationalism and populism,” or, more

simply, “a white nationalist movement.”

Here is an example from the AP news report:

With an ideology that’s a mix of racism, white nationalism and old-fashioned

populism, the “alt-right” has burst into the collective consciousness since members

showed up at the Republican National Convention to celebrate Trump’s nomination

last summer.

Be specific and call it straight

Finally, when writing on extreme groups, be precise and provide evidence to support the

characterization.

We should not limit ourselves to letting such groups define themselves, and instead

should report their actions, associations, history and positions to reveal their actual

beliefs and philosophy, as well as how others see them.