Son and very right wing racist views

[Strawberry33]

My son 14 has been extremely influenced during the past year by stuff in the media that he now calls lefty propaganda and some unfortunate experiences. He now has decided to completely shun our families values and wants to become a right wing politician. He’s very bright but been debating with teachers and pupils today in his online learning and I’m worried he’s going to be punished and silenced which seems to only feed into his views.
Just to add he’s not at all violent, aggressive or nasty towards people of any group. If he was I’d definitely get police involved or counter extremism involvement.
I just want to shape his views but he just digs his heels in more and more! X

Everyone starts somewhere. OP is right to be concerned as would any parent of male teenager who is attracted to online groups linked to racism or sexism. There’s evidence of radicalisation in these subcultures.

Doesn’t mean OPs son is destined to become a criminal, but now is the time to be involved and engage before it gets worse.

Which is why she posted here and got lots of good advice. Comparisons of 14 year old autistic boys to violent, murderous, sexually violent adult incels are entirely inappropriate and you should ask for those posts to be withdrawn. That's someone's child.

I'm going to bed so won't reply again this evening.

"I don't believe in critical race theory' - which theorist/s in particular @turnitonagain?

apoogies @turnitonagain, that question was for @HmmSureJan.

" I do not believe in systemic sexism or white privilege where all men are sexist and/or all white people are racist and benefit from being so"

@HmmSureJan critical theory does not say all men are sexist and all white people are racist.

What on earth have you been reading?

@Chookie89

" I do not believe in systemic sexism or white privilege where all men are sexist and/or all white people are racist and benefit from being so"

@HmmSureJan critical theory does not say all men are sexist and all white people are racist.

What on earth have you been reading?

This! It really doesn't, maybe you've misunderstood when reading?

@youvegottenminuteslynn

I don't think the poster is reading critical race theory. When questioned, these types never seem to have actually read any CRT.

I think she's been reading complaints about the field written by 'commentators' like Pluckrose and Lindsey - neither of whom have any scholarly background on the topic.

They've sure made a pretty penny out of spreading fearful bullshit around the topic, just like Jordan Peterson.

@turnitonagain

Are there many teenaged boys in workplace CRT trainings?

People are using this thread to air grievances unrelated to OP’s problem.

Way to miss the point

And I did say "popular culture" which I daresay even you know teens might be aware of.

I haven’t missed any point.

CRT is not why this child is browsing right wing websites and saying black people aren’t British.

I believe that in some instances being a man or being white will confer an advantage. I do not believe in systemic sexism or white privilege where all men are sexist and/or all white people are racist and benefit from being so.

You've misunderstood what 'systemic' means. You actually do believe in systemic sexism/racism.

OP have you seen the Jack Reed case? He was recently named as he turned 18. Do take a look. Some of the pertinent info : probably autistic, but parents chose not to get him "labelled". Became very enamoured of far right politics. Didn't do anything to anyone, but was convicted of planning to.

Everyone is entitled to thier views however i would like to think that we are living in a progressive society. 'prevent' is there for parents and carers to prevent radicalisation. This parent has recognised that there is a problem and she has sought advice on here as it is a concern. Early intervention is key if we are to help the next generation. My family is from the windrush generation and I do not wish to go back to the teddy boy days. Things has improved vastly over the past 25 years and I wouldn't want that to become undone with the next generation.
We don't have an active kkk in the uk but with the way how things are potentially going if the next generation is being influenced by far right views then it is highly likely.
I would report my own child or seek support if my child was expressing far left or far right views regardless.
At times there could be underlying reasons for these views and I would seek to understand the rationale or identify whether my child has undiagnosed mental health or SEN.

From reading the replies, i also see that alot of people don't truly understand the purpose of BLM, it has been incorrectly politicised due to the police brutality which occurred in the states. Unfortunately before camera phones and social media, these things occurred regularly but it wasn't seen in the media or spoken about so widely.
My understanding and perception of the BLM campaign is that many people feel disenfranchised systematically due to how things have been and now people are collectively coming together wanting recognition of past and present failures to ensure that the future is brighter.
When my grandparents came to the UK, they were unable to find property to rent and when they finally bought a house, neighbours moved away or faeces was posted through thier letterbox, thier churches were burnt down and many other incidents which are to many to mention, we have come a long way from those days however now the racism at times is subtle whether that is rejection at interviews due to lack of an Anglo Saxon name, or being stereotyped by the police driving a nice car or being ignored by medical professionals when in pain giving birth due to the supposed notion that black people have a higher pain threshold or even being pushed into sports and music at school rather than academic means. BLM is highlighting the need for equal treatment in society. Please note that this is not everyone's experience but to get a better perspective of everyday experiences i'd suggest that the commentators read 'slay in your lane' to get an understanding of what black people have to overcome just to be successful or be accepted.

This is why history is so fundamental in the diet of our children's education. There are plenty of examples of how extreme right wing views have led to horrendous and horrific events in history.

It would be a good idea to speak with him about why he has these values what sparked them and get an idea of the root cause of this. Extremism often is linked to people who are vulnerable in an are of life. Counter his views with more empathetic reasoning. Try and break down his arguments.

Then teach him about how views like this have disastrous consequences by giving examples from history. Schindler's list is a great tool for this. It's hard to watch but shows the steps that led to such a terrible event.

Young minds can be shaped so easily by a fragmented media. It's not easy being a teenager currently

@independent98

What churches burnt down? I ask because I remember Cymdeithas yr Iaith burning down second homes in Wales but don’t recall any churches burning down and I’ve never heard this from anyone I’ve known. I mention the cottages because I think this has been whitewashed out of history too. BBC says that Cymdeithas yr Iaith were a peaceful organisation, so I’m questioning myself now.

This is why history is so fundamental in the diet of our children's education. There are plenty of examples of how extreme right wing views have led to horrendous and horrific events in history.

And extreme left wing views

Try and get him to watch some contrapoints. She often converts young men like him.

@independent98 thank you for sharing your grandparents' story. A really good explanation of what it's all about.

your son needs to be banned from his social media until he learns not to be a racist. make sure to drink wine and stay away from your son. maybe even kick him out of the house for a bit for learning.

This is an American article but talks about a woman whose son was radicalised by the far right: www.washingtonian.com/2019/05/05/what-happened-after-my-13-year-old-son-joined-the-alt-right/

OP you need to tread carefully here, do not come on too strongly because it may well push him further away.

You have to try and take the emotion from it, so don’t think of him as having different views to you think of him as simply having his own views. And he is entitled to those views, whether or not you agree with them.

It’s always worth reminding him that people engage online in a different way than face to face and often people can be a lot more ruder/aggressive/argumentative online and it would be unwise to get drawn in (people have been fired from jobs etc etc).

And if you are worried it’s going beyond a political stance and into extremism then contact your school pastoral team, they have lots of training in this area and they will help.

Troubled by all the those saying "black people can't British" isn't a racist or extremist view...

I realise this post was sent a while ago but I'm interested to know how your son is now. My 15 year old is currently expressing the same views.