Assignment 2
Alt-Right Movement--Major Argument Assignment Document
Major Argument # 2: Alt-Right Movement & Free Speech
Introduction
The alternative right, more commonly referred to as the alt-right, is a political movement that emerged in the twenty-first century as a response to growing dissatisfaction with mainstream conservativism, certain social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter and feminism, and free-market capitalism. Much of the alt-right movement originated online, where it continues to gather momentum, allowing many of its members to remain anonymous.
The alt-right has neither established nor organized itself as an official political party with a documented list of members. The movement has widely been associated with fascism, racism (Links to an external site.), anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, and nativism by the media and some politicians. Many self-professed members of the alt-right object to this characterization, although critics of the movement assert that the tendency of many of its members to employ Nazi symbols, hate speech, rape humor, and pseudoscientific racist claims provide strong support for such associations. Members of the movement often target individuals and are associated with online harassment behaviors such as trolling, in which a concerted effort is made to disrupt someone’s online persona, and doxing, wherein personal information such as a person’s address, phone number, or private photos are posted on the Internet in an attempt to threaten the person’s career, personal safety, and emotional well-being.
As an editor for Taki’s Magazine, the journalist and avowed white nationalist Richard Spencer popularized the terms alternative right and alt-right in 2008 to distinguish his political beliefs from mainstream conservatism (Links to an external site.). Spencer had recently been fired from The American Conservative for his extreme views on race but found Taki’s and its audience more receptive to his ideas and style of writing. In 2010, he launched the now-defunct online magazine AlternativeRight.com. Fans of Spencer’s writings and the works of other fringe conservatives began to identify themselves as alt-right. In the same year, Spencer became the president of the National Policy Institute, a research organization exploring issues of white nationalism (Links to an external site.), which he uses to disseminate ideas that resonate with members of the alt-right. Spencer also publishes his views in the institute’s print and online publication Radix.
Most recently, the Alt-Right created an inflammatory presence at their “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence between members of the Alt-Right and those protesting their values ended in killing one person and injuring nineteen others. This event has put the Alt-Right movement in the spotlight. Although the goals of white nationalists are in direct conflict with American democratic values, as a free society, we must deal with the problem of balancing the right to free speech with the greater good of our society. In other words, there are limits to “free” speech, but what should they be in the case of a political movement such as the Alt-Right?
Independent Research Required : 4-7 additional sources, which do NOT require journal entries because you are required to use them in your argument with in-text citations. ALL of your 4-7 sources must be used in your paper, and must have corresponding in-text citations.
TOPICS: Choose ONE
Your Independent Research should focus on this topic you choose.
1. To what extent is there a direct connection between the new administration in power now and the resurgence of white nationalism and the Alt-Right movement? [NOTE: Choosing this topic requires that you take a stand that there IS a direct connection, or that there is NOT a direct connection, and your evidence must demonstrate that connection or lack thereof. In other words, if you make the claim that there is a connection, you will be supporting the idea that this connection is real and can be demonstrated. If you make the claim that there is no connection, you will be proving that those who think there is one are committing a causal fallacy.]
1. Is “identity politics” in the best interest of our country, or should we resist such trends in our society? Make sure you understand what “identity politics” means.
1. Should we encourage speakers like Richard Spenser to speak at college campuses, or should such representatives of the Alt-Right be banned from these platforms?
1. Does white nationalism have a place our society?
1. Research the National Policy Institute. Are the mission and goals of this organization in line with democratic principles as expressed in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights? [NOTE: You will need to read both documents: Constitution and Bill of Ri]
1. What should be the limits to freedom of speech?
Assignment & Manuscript Requirements:
Length: a general guideline for length is 6 typed pages. This is a guideline. I don’t count words and you shouldn’t either. If the paper is too short it is too short because you haven’t made a sufficient argument. If it’s too long then it has irrelevant material. But I don’t think any of these topics can be adequately covered in less than 4 typed pages.
In-Text Citations: You must document source information without the text of your essay and them use MLA 8 citations. You must have in-text citations in your argument—to demonstrate your ability. ALL of the sources you find on your own must be used in the argument; they must also have in-text citations.
Works Cited and Consulted Lists: Required in MLA 8 format.
Documentation HELP (MLA 8) --- see a librarian: Kerry Cotter, Russell Grooms, Anne Beebee
--- see mla.com or owl Purdue
--- Do NOT use online generators at other places—they are incorrect or do not use MLA 8
Font: New Times Roman or Garamond, size 12
Standard margins
Pages numbered