Culture Warlords

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

I started reading this 2, maybe 3, months ago. I could only take it in small chunks because it is just brutal. How Lavin managed to maintain some semblance of sanity while immersing herself in the world of racists, anti-Semites, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, homophobes, misogynists, incels, and conspiracy theorists is beyond me. Important to shed light on the violence and hatred consuming the world, but this was NOT an “enjoyable” read.

squirrelbrain Sounds tough 😬 2y

batsy Ooof. Sounds tough but super intriguing, too. 2y

50 likes2 comments

AllDebooks

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

#Booked2022

Played catch up and now all is left is Winter. Here's my Spring read list.
The Priory of the Orange Tree 5⭐️
The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks 5⭐️
The Promise 4⭐️
Cultural Warlords 4⭐️
On wilder seas 3⭐️
The Twyford Code 4⭐️

@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @alisiakae

25 likes

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

It‘s taken me awhile to process this one and write a review for it. It is full of triggers and all of that makes it difficult to read and difficult to review, but anything that reveals the darkest heart of humanity, no matter how disturbing that may be to the reader, IS essential reading. Turning our backs to it because that‘s easier, less traumatic for us the viewer, allows that darkness to grow and metastasize unchecked. ⤵️

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ The only way to stop it is for authors like this one to expose it to the light so that we can all be aware and hopefully with knowledge excise it. 2y

Bookwormjillk This book was pretty horrifying but I agree it‘s necessary 2y

shanaqui I'm really curious about it, but at the same time, choosing my moment to read it... 2y

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vlwelser

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

so-so

I um just finished this a couple of days ago. Oops. It's informative and detailed and well written. But I did not exactly enjoy this experience. If I wasn't at least pretending to read this with the group, this would have been a bail for me.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sorry, they can‘t all work each time unfortunately…and in this case some was more the dark and bleak subject matter that made it difficult (at least for me). 2y

vlwelser @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it was good. But maybe the topic wasn't for me. It's good to have a different perspective. It's very hard to pick books for a group without reading them in advance, which sort of ruins the moderator's experience. You do a great job with this group and I appreciate you. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser oh, thank you. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser Just so you know, in case I don‘t say it enough… I appreciate you too, we have a great group and you are an integral part of that. 2y

43 likes4 comments

AnneCecilie

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

I have no idea how to rate this, so I‘ll write my review without a rating.

For a considerable amount of time Lavin is infiltrating the far right and Neo-Nazis online. This must have been hard for her being surrounded by so much hate towards Jews, Blacks and women. But she doesn‘t bring in anything new. That Neo-Nazis and the far right will be even more extreme in their viewpoints online on their own forums speaking to likeminded, doesn‘t shock

AnneCecilie me. What left the most impression was her writing about Ukraine and the uprising of the far right there, especially since this is one of Russia‘s arguments for invading in the ongoing war. Another thing was how easy it was to hate when you had already started hating, like her chapter on incels and how easy it was to move their hate from women to Jews or Blacks or anything else. #SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa (edited) 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Good review, and yes very interesting read… I found myself remembering that this was researched and written before Jan 6 when we saw just how organized the far right could be and how much of a warning about groups this could have been. 2y

ravenlee @AnneCecilie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree - it‘s an interesting read but there‘s not much in the way of new information or important conclusions. Also, in the face of Jan 6 and the ongoing hearings, many of her observations/predictions about the extremists vs mainstream Republicans seem way off base. 2y

47 likes3 comments

ncsufoxes

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

This is one of those books that is highly important to read, especially as white supremacy has been on the rise in the US over the last few years (per the Southern Poverty Law Center tracks hate groups). It is disturbing to read what goes on in some of these chat groups. I don‘t know how Lavin endured it. It was very eye opening. It wants me to get rid of all social media/google/you tube & keep my kids off of all of it. Definitely a must read.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa, TheAromaofBooks

ncsufoxes #shesaid #bookspin finishing this book gives me 2 bingos for the month #nonfiction2022 prompt: I‘m loud or boisterous 2y

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y

15 likes2 comments

MallenNC

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

I‘m glad I read this because I think it‘s important to know the reality of hate, but it was a tense reading experience.I can‘t imagine being the author and actually immersing myself into this online. It was helpful to read this with our #SheSaid group.

24 likes

Singout

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

A deep powerful dive into the far right in the United States: Lavin explores how ultra right and fascist groups operate, with the courage to go undercover as a fake girlfriend, a young incel man, a conference reporter, and eventually a girlfriend who extracts secret info from a Ukrainian fascist leader. Analysis of history and practices, especially of antisemitism, are woven throughout.
#Nonfiction2022 #ComfortZone
#SheSaid

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

11 likes

Singout

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Anti-fascism rises as fascism rises, and falls as fascism falls…the principal goal is to prevent violence from happening in the first place. Anti-fascist aim to be wherever fascists are, working to sow discord, engender paranoia and discouragement, and to ensure that there is, above all else, a social cost to fascism, racism, and virulent homophobia and transphobia. In the Trump era, that social cost has been vastly eroded.

6 likes

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Hello #SheSaid!

I can‘t believe we‘ve come to the end of another month and another book. As powerful as this read was, and as much as I know I needed to hear it all…I‘m hoping the next is a bit lighter 😂. I‘ll try to get that schedule up as soon possible for you. Again, next book is Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong.

So what are your thoughts now that you‘ve finished this book?

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ↩️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you ☺️ 2y

Bookwormjillk This was a very hard read, but worth it. 2y

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KathyWheeler I kept trying to put myself in her place, but I couldn‘t do it. I don‘t think I could ever subject myself to that kind of hatred. It‘s definitely a good book, though, and an important read. 2y

Singout Really powerful insights into what‘s going on that a lot of us only get a superficial report about. The “romance” between her and the Russian fascist took incredible courage. The closing chapter about anti-fascism is really interesting, as someone who has been involved in different kinds of activism. 2y

MallenNC This is one of those books that I‘m glad I read but it was a hard experience reading. Like others have mentioned, I‘m really impressed by her for doing this work. I couldn‘t. 2y

35 likes6 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Hello #SheSaid! Happy Sunday!

Anyone else watching the Jan. 6th commission hearing while reading this? For me it‘s adding another whole layer to that and to most of the mass shooting stories. It‘s stuff I knew, but not how truly deep it ran..It‘s a hard read, and one I often what to stop thinking about. But…BUT…if we don‘t know it‘s there and how it‘s metastasizing, we can‘t fight it either. As a country we need to address white supremacy.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ⤵️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you 🫠 2y

AllDebooks I have been and thought it made the reading all the more poignant and valid. I have finished reading now, as tough as I found it, I'm so glad I did. We need to know how deeply entrenched this ideaology goes in order to challenge it at every opportunity

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul

2y

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Bookwormjillk I am also watching the hearings. I am hoping now that we‘re nearing the end she offers some solutions. 2y

MallenNC @Bookwormjillk I hope so too. It is important just to have the awareness of this world that she‘s sharing, but I hope there are some suggestions for change. Reading this makes me regret the invention of social media, but then I‘m reminding of the benefits of it — like making reader friends here on Litsy. It‘s a double edged sword for sure. (edited) 2y

vlwelser This book is hard to read. I'm not plowing through it at my normal pace. As far as the hearings, no. Just reading random articles on the internet. 2y

KathyWheeler @MallenNC Reading this made me ambivalent about social media too, but then again, these attitudes and this deep hatred have always been there. It‘s just now that people feel more free to just let them out in all their ugliness. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC just remember that everything from slavery to the holocaust managed to take shape, spread, and cause havoc long before the internet was even a thought….so hate can thrive, grow, and spread in any medium. It only needs humans 😬as scary as that is…we are the common denominator… let‘s hope we evolve more soon.🫣 (edited) 2y

ravenlee Anyone else see that Marjorie Taylor Greene is selling or endorsing t-shirts that say “Proud Christian Nationalist” and feel kind of sick? 2y

ncsufoxes I haven‘t been watching the hearings but do read a few news stories when I have time. I too have felt slightly apprehensive about social media while reading this section. I worry more about my kids. My oldest is 18 & getting ready to leave for college. I continue to have discussions with him about things to look out for. He told me I don‘t need to worry (he then asked me later if I would buy him some new shirts that said “abolish ICE” & “protect 2y

ncsufoxes trans kids.” But it is really scary to think about how quickly people can become radicalized & how social media just feeds some peoples obsessions. Luckily there are people like Lavin & other researchers & journalists that continue to expose these groups. I follow the Southern Poverty Law Center which tracks all these groups. They have been saying for years that this is a problem but the last administration ignored everything & of course gave more 2y

ncsufoxes hate groups a platform on the National stage. It‘s such an important book to be reading but it‘s also so hard to realize what other people out there exist. 2y

37 likes12 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Hello #SheSaid.

This book is a tough read for me, I don‘t know how she managed to do this…not only get in the door, but not blow her cover or fall into a deep depression being immersed in this stuff day in and out. My thoughts right now are, more power to her & I couldn‘t have done it. 😬 it‘s definitely a tough one just to read after the hard work was done by her… necessary to know it all exists and to that extreme, but tough to read anyway.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ⤵️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you 🫠 2y

MallenNC I agree with you. I cannot imagine being so immersed in that world. I think it is important to expose these ways of thinking but I couldn‘t have done it. I find myself not wanting to read this one very late because I don‘t want it in my mind before trying to sleep. 2y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Personal Update: my mom is doing well. Back surgery Monday…said see you later at about 5:30am, she was finished and waking up in her room by 6pm. And all the stuff we‘ve read about pain management and women…well, I definitely saw some of that. By Thursday…they send her home. So as I write this she is sleeping on her own couch again, with some decent pain meds. Long week, but over the hump now. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC Yes… it‘s so informative, but not one I‘m rushing to pick up and read 😂…guess I have a natural tendency to want to hide my head in the sand more than I thought. So disturbing & infuriating 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Glad your mother is on the mend. She‘s so lucky to have you by her side and ready to advocate on her behalf. 💗 2y

MallenNC @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m glad your mom is doing well! It‘s hard to be a caretaker, I‘ve had to do it for my mom, luckily short-term. I hope the hardest part of the surgery recovery is done. 2y

Karisa Yeah, I have been listening to the book on audio and it‘s just like a whole other world she‘s uncovering. All the “incel” (if that‘s how you spell it) stuff. There are so many code words and so much hiding. They know what they are doing and saying is deeply wrong. Otherwise why would they hide so much? Dangerous and creepy! 2y

Bookwormjillk This is a tough read for me too. Some of the people she talks too remind me of villains from Stephen King‘s books. 2y

Bookwormjillk I‘m glad your mother is better! 2y

AllDebooks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa so glad she's home and on the mend. Must have been a tough time for you x 2y

AllDebooks Such a tough read, I'm really struggling with all the hate and prejudice. The incel chapter made my blood run cold. It makes me despair that there is so much unmitigated, unnecessary loathing being fuelled by far right groups. How is this any different to all the conditioning and grooming of young people into ISIS, etc? What scares me most is how accessible/constant it is 24/7. I'm going to need some serious comfort reading after this!! 2y

vlwelser I'm struggling to read this. I still cannot imagine how she managed to do it. 2y

Singout This is definitely grim: feeling very different from other books I‘ve read about experiences of or critiques of oppression. Like others, I knew in my head that this existed but haven‘t really read a lot about it. Subjecting herself to that stress and risk takes guts. 2y

Singout My one exposure to this was when a close friend was kidnapped doing human rights work in Iraq many years ago: I was asked to research previous voluntary releases and the best sources of info about kidnappings were essentially from groups centred on hatred of Islam and the Middle East. Those spaces turned my gut every time I went into them. 2y

MoonWitch94 I am finding it difficult to get through as well. I am sticking with it because I don‘t want to put my “privilege before my discomfort” as the saying goes, but goodness this is hard. How the author managed to do this for so long is a testament to her as a person. But my heart feels heavier than it did when we started this. It‘s so much worse than I ever imagined, and I don‘t see an end. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MoonWitch94 Yes, I think you summed it up so very well. I‘m having very similar feelings. 2y

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AllDebooks

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

I'm looking forward to joining in with @Andrew65 #jubilantjuly readathon. Need to have a think on my goals, maybe a mix of mood reading and focused reading for my reading challenges. Including catching up with the tagged with
#shesaid

Andrew65 Great to have you with us. 2y

AllDebooks @Andrew65 😀 2y

13 likes2 comments

ravenlee

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

I finished it, partly because I have a trip coming up and couldn‘t follow the timeline anyway, and partly because I didn‘t want to stew in the subject matter.

Important subject, and I‘m absolutely in awe of Lavin for the work she‘s done. That said, I don‘t think the book was written, or maybe edited, as well as it should have been. Lots of redundancy, especially talking about major figures (Tarrant, Roof). Can‘t really rate it. #SheSaid

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

ravenlee #DannyBoy is feeling better. He had to get an antibiotic shot yesterday, but I think it made a difference. He‘s mostly back to his usual self and fighting me so valiantly on meds that I‘ve given up on the sedative and painkiller. If he‘s so set against taking it, so be it. Trauma for both of us will not make anything better! 2y

30 likes1 comment

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Sorry for the massive delay ladies and gentlemen, my sincere apologies. My mom is having back surgery tomorrow, it‘s been planned and scheduled for a very long time… but today quickly became a long list of things to get done beforehand and I completely forgot to post until now. Again, my apologies, I‘ll check in tomorrow while I‘m hanging out in the hospital cafeteria for most of the day. Take care out there. #SheSaid

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ⤵️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you 2y

vlwelser I was going to message you but my day also was extra. I hope everything goes well with your mum. 2y

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vlwelser I don't know how this author hung around all this hatred long enough to write a book. I maybe haven't finished ch 4 yet totally. 2y

MallenNC I hope your mom‘s surgery goes well! I‘m with @vlwelser I don‘t know how the author could stand to immerse herself in that world. I also cannot imagining having that much hatred inside. We all get one life, and that‘s how they use theirs? 2y

Bookwormjillk I hope the surgery goes well. I‘m with others. I don‘t know how the author did it. 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Hope your mom‘s surgery goes well today and wishing her a speedy recovery! 💗 2y

Karisa @Bookwormjillk @MallenNC @vlwelser I agree. So much hate witnessed. Lavin is incredibly brave to document it. Tough to listen to but it feels important to have record of it and see how hate incubates. I hope her work and others can lead to solutions somehow. 2y

MoonWitch94 I‘m behind, so I‘m catching up. Hope your Mom is on the road to recovery! 2y

36 likes9 comments

ravenlee

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

It‘s been a really busy week or so, plus I decided to try reading an issue of the NYT (Tuesday‘s copy, which I may finally finish today 😳), so I haven‘t been reading much. Yesterday and today I‘ve been trying to catch up on some nonfiction reads. Think I‘m going to need something light and fluffy next.

IamIamIam I was just thinking the opposite! Tons of ghost stories have left me needing a good non fiction read! Lol, have a great weekend! 2y

ravenlee @IamIamIam isn‘t it funny how our reading diet can be so like our eating habits - when we have too much either of serious healthy eating or fluffy empty calories, we crave the balance of the other? Hope you enjoy your weekend, too! 2y

32 likes2 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Hello #SheSaid

What an intro in this one… I am both very curious how she did this for months and recoiling a bit at what she‘s describing as everyday behavior for some. I was apparently still living in some denial 😬

How are you all doing with this book so far?

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ↙️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you 😊 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa As much as I know, and learn, and think I know…. I‘m still shocked that they are still trading around lynching pictures like trading cards. 🤢 2y

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Karisa It is appalling the level of hatred she was witnessing online—even directed at herself. I kept picturing the people she was encountering online and thinking how they are the same people out in our communities. How do they get to that point of dangerous toxicity? How do we protect everyone in our communities and stop the chess pool factory? It felt very brave of the author to go into these hate-filled areas and expose them. 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yeah, and the references to those who have killed others as “Saint” 😱 They are in a warped reality! 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Karisa Oh god, yes! I think I fell into the same group as her growing up… you learn about this things, but in the past, as conquerored, overcome, done…. And then to find out they are alive & well & thriving & immediate is very disconcerting. I suddenly, despite everything we know today, feel very naive. (edited) 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa And all those hangings in public places, after George Floyd protests that were labeled “suicides” by authorities…. Really makes me doubt those determinations. But honestly, it seemed ludicrous at the time too.🙄 (edited) 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m a middle school teacher, and many of my students feel that racism is something from the past. Then we have others using racial slurs casually to control others and when confronted use the “it was just a joke.” Many times those being targeted say “it‘s ok, it doesn‘t bother me”. But if you ask how hearing it would make their families feel, then they get it. The instances online are like taking it to level 1000 though… 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I remember that! Small towns, middle of the night stuff. Right out of horror movies! Listening to this audio book shows the mentality behind such murders—hiding because they know it is wrong but controlled by such hate and wanting to control others with fear. More should be done 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Karisa Yes it should, but I‘m afraid it won‘t be…now it‘s become a political brand and I‘m afraid by that shift it will basically become protected speech….as in you just don‘t want my pov, are only shutting down the xyz point/platform/party…violating my freedom of speech…. It seemed to work well when certain people wanted to speak at universities, the freedom of speech argument, but now it‘s a whole political party…I think it‘s going to get worse 2y

Karisa @Riveted_Reader_Melissa It does feel like that. Like a favorite football team that must be supported no matter what. My parents are Republicans, and I‘ve seen a progression of acceptance of hate. They also see everyone else as just too sensitive. Yet these are the same people that took me to church to learn kindness and treating others the way you want to be treated. The hateful behaviors their politics are protecting do not match their “morals” 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Karisa I understand, the golden rule which I too grew up by, seems to be getting ignored more and more. I‘m still baffled how a “Christian” coalition has joined with such hateful politics…because it just isn‘t the religion I grew up with either. But I guess there is a reason why I left organized religion…sadly maybe it‘s less that I grew and changed, but they did. 2y

AllDebooks I haven't started this yet, it's next in line. I know this is going to be a very difficult but all the more crucial read, for that reason. There is no shying away from the amount of hatred and toxicity we live with in contemporary society. I aim to inform myself as much as possible, to help turn the tide to a more positive future for all. I want my children to understand the importance of equality for all. 2y

MallenNC I just finished this week‘s section. I was almost hesitant to read this one bc it‘s going to be disturbing but it‘s important not to ignore it. The second chapter shows the deep roots of anti-Semitism and that there have always been racists who found large platforms for their beliefs. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @AllDebooks @MallenNC I agree, in many ways this reading group has helped me tackle difficult books that I‘ve been meaning to read, but kept putting off because of the difficult subject matter. I‘m so glad we have each other for the journey and a sympathetic ear to our venting, worries, and hopes for a brighter future for all of us. 2y

Julsmarshall I read this last year and it both shocked me and made me sad, of course that is how it is, they are. Looking forward to re-experiencing it alongside you. What the author endured in researching and writing this book is amazing. 2y

ravenlee I haven‘t gotten my copy yet, but it should arrive this week (Book Outlet shipping is so unreliable!). 2y

AnneCecilie I think what struck me the most was the hatred she met online when she used pseudonyms from complete strangers who where discussing hurting her. I‘m a little out of it today after the shooting In Copenhagen, just 8 days after the shooting in Oslo. (edited) 2y

vlwelser Thank you for picking this one. Not sure I would have found it on my own. And it seems like it's going to be an important and timely read. All this hatred has always baffled me. 2y

Bookwormjillk I finally had a chance to start this. It‘s frightening, and I‘m interested to see where it goes. 2y

ncsufoxes I lived in Poway, CA (we just moved to Boston last week) for 10 years. We lived there during the shooting at the synagogue. The kid that was responsible, his dad was a teacher at my son‘s high school. His parents were just completely shocked & devastated by his actions (they actually disowned him & refused to go to any of the court appearances). It was found that he was radicalized within just a year of finding an online hate group. I‘ve seen a 2y

ncsufoxes flier at a local Starbucks for one of the hate groups. People were shocked but then we also live in an area where after Trump was elected would chant Trump while walking down the halls. Luckily my son went to the one high school in the Poway area that was very different & forward thinking. The principal trains all his teachers in racism, LBGTQ+, & everything else. They were the pilot program for ethnic studies this last year. People were shocked 2y

ncsufoxes when the shooting happened but also don‘t think that they are racist at all (& racism is a huge problem in Poway, kids set up an IG account titled Black In Poway to discuss the amount of racism that kids faced not only from other students but also teachers). These kids started a huge trend that made administration look closer to what is happening, something they were not doing. My son‘s black & brown friends told him about the racism they have 2y

ncsufoxes experienced for years. It made him sad & frustrated (but also didn‘t surprise him). My rambling point is I am always saddened & shocked about how much goes on behind a computer screen. It makes me want to delete all social media but I also know that I can not live in an isolated bubble. This book has been on my TBR & happy to be reading it but I have a feeling it‘s going to be hard. Happy to have other people to read along with on such a hard area 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ncsufoxes yes, to all of that. We all need to stop turning a blind eye and hoping it will just go away. And yes, the best part about book club, is a group of people to discuss and vent to about these tough subjects, so we don‘t have to face them alone. So many books I‘ve read and o want to talk about what I‘m reading, but the outlet just isn‘t available in public discourse anymore (which is another really scary problem) 2y

MoonWitch94 I kept waiting for the intro to end where she‘s say “…and then it stopped” but instead it just kept going & going. So much hatred directed towards the author simply for existing & writing articles about her community. I don‘t know how she did this for a whole year, and ever found peace again. I‘m livid for her. It‘s so sick & twisted. I used to be a person who just thought ignoring those twisted scumbags would make them less ⬇️ 2y

MoonWitch94 powerful; but as this author illustrates, it‘s not true at all. We can‘t burry our heads in the sand and just think these folks will stop. We need to do more. What an important read this is. (edited) 2y

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vlwelser

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Obviously this author and I would be besties irl. Already hooked.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Leftcoastzen That‘s awesome! 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That is awesome! 2y

33 likes2 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

The next schedule is here #SheSaid!

Again, a reminder to put in your library holds and/or interlibrary loans.

And again… we picked this book months ago, almost a year ago now… and again it pops up at a fitting time as the Jan 6 investigation are being held. You all have excellent taste and apparently premonition abilities 😉

I can‘t wait to dive into this one!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Nute @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks ⤵️ 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @ravenlee @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @IndoorDame @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you 🤓 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s in tiny type at the bottom of the photo, but just a reminder that next up in August is Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong for anyone planning ahead.
2y

See All 10 Comments

ravenlee So much of what I‘m reading these days ties in to #SheSaid and current events, whether it‘s other buddy reads or my own picks. I don‘t think I‘m doing it deliberately, but it‘s fascinating and enlightening. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ravenlee Some of it, I think, is just that we are seeing more connections than we did before. Maybe as we learn more, we see how things interconnect, where before they flew under our notice.🤷‍♀️ 2y

Bookwormjillk My audiobook for this just came in. Looking forward to it! 2y

shanaqui Ooh, I'm really curious about this one. 2y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @shanaqui do you want me to add you to the tag list to join in? 2y

KathyWheeler I read this book last year, but I think I‘ll give it a listen now. 2y

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 2y

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catiewithac

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

Warning: this is an intense read! ⚠️ Talia Lavin goes deep into America‘s white supremacist groups. It‘s an astonishing journey in its vast reaches: YouTube, social media, dating websites, and 8chan. What becomes crystal clear is that hate breeds hate; anti-semitism leads to racism which leads to misogyny which leads to homophobia, etc. Hate is a metastatic disease that sometimes reaches beyond the web to unleash IRL violence. Important read!!!

Cinfhen Great review... I‘m nervous to pick this up...it‘s anxiety inducing 3y

MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen I had requested this from the library when it published. My hold came in like a week before the election. I read 15 pages, said “HELL NO!”, and returned it. Someday, someday, maybe. 3y

Cinfhen Let‘s hope @MicheleinPhilly 🙏🏼 3y

catiewithac @MicheleinPhilly It‘s worth it when you can 3y

iread2much Oooo, looks so interesting 3y

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the_wastrel

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

I have no words, but I'm informed, inspired, and enraged.

SW-T Welcome to Litsy! 😊 #litsywelcomewagon 3y

Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳🌹🥳 3y

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 3y

the_wastrel @Nute thank you so much! 3y

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mdemanatee

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

I did not *want* to read this book, but I figured I needed to get a better idea of what is going on in the corners of the internet I will never venture to from the safety of a book. So far it is both disturbing, and yet I don‘t know if I have a clearer picture or idea. Though I might have been hoping for answers or conclusions that just don‘t exist. But to remember that there are people who think this way is just so upsetting.

21 likes

cariashley

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

A really disturbing, scary listen. Maybe not the best audiobook for the past week, which has been a more hopeful one in America... though the reality is that the specter of white supremacy didn‘t disappear when Biden won, as has been widely and accurately observed. 😠

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Decalino

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

It seemed like a good time to read this account of the author's immersion in the extremely unsavory world of white supremacy. She outlines the variety of hate groups active on social media, where she has monitored them and even undertaken elaborate catfishing operations. I don't know how she could stand exposing herself to the toxic sludge these guys generate, but it's clear their hatred has real world implications. We can't afford to look away.

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KathyWheeler

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

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Well, after following Lavin into the world of online white supremacy groups, I now feel dirty. Given as she had been the subject of harassment by these groups, I don‘t know how she stood reading the postings of and interacting (not as herself, of course) with people who expressed such vociferous hate. The book was good but it could have been improved with a better organizational structure and less repetition.

28 likes

Julsmarshall

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

So good! Riveting, upsetting and stark but ultimately reassuring to know that smart people are working hard to keep the bad guys at bay. So timely right now and it helped me better understand the terrible events taking place around the world. Gotta love a smart, tough woman outing nazis! Highly recommend!

Cortg I put a hold on an audiobook. Sounds interesting! 3y

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Augustdana

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Was curled up with a blanket last night just shitting bricks. I‘ve also been watching the news a bunch so maybe I should just pick one and go with it. Also to see people be all smug sitting in Canada thinking this doesn‘t happen here. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ IT IS HERE TOO

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KathyWheeler

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Tonight‘s reading.

22 likes

Julsmarshall

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

Dipping into this book about white supremacy and American racism and fascism. Tough but timely subject. Whenever it gets too heavy, I look out my window and feel blessed by the glorious snow. Those of us in Texas don‘t see it often so it feels like a fist when we do!

Suet624 Wonderful! 3y

bibliobliss Beautiful 💙❄️ 3y

Liatrek Yes! I live in Texas and we are enjoying the snow❄️ 3y

Bookzombie I‘m in San Antonio and all we got was rain. ☹️ 3y

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CortexVortex

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

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Extremism has been propagating in the dark web as more and more sympathizers get entrenched in it's narratives. Most of us have no idea what takes place in the corners of the dark web. In Culture Warlords, Talia Lavin is unapologetically unafraid to dive into several online far-right communities to give us a glimpse of behind the scenes of radicalization.

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sebrittainclark

Culture Warlords: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Battle for America's Soul | Talia Lavin

pick

4/5

Super interesting read about far right and white supremacist groups, particularly those that organize online. The audio book is read by the author.

H_SQUARED This looks excellent! I hadn‘t heard of it. 3y

41 likes2 stack adds1 comment

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