Small illustrated guide to hate in Québec

Why a guide to hate?

Because hate, whether visible or hidden, runs through our everyday spaces. This guide provides the tools to spot hateful symbols and speech, understand their meaning and assess their impact, whether ideological or legal. It helps everyone stay vigilant and prevent escalation toward violence.

123 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z !?*

123

Numeric code referring to Adolf Hitler’s birthday, April 20. It is regularly used by neo-Nazi and antisemitic groups, and is frequently associated with other numeric codes such as 18 or 88. It is not, however, exclusive to far-right circles, and most often refers to the consumption of marijuana at 4:20 p.m. on April 20 (the 4th month) of each year.

Numeric codes

14/14 word

Numeric code referring to the following (14-word) phrase: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White children.” First formulated by American white supremacist David Lane, it has become famous within far-right circles, mainly among white supremacist groups, neo-Nazis, and the Alt-Right. This numeric code can also refer to another phrase by the same author: “Because the beauty of the White Aryan Women must not perish from the earth,” and is sometimes accompanied by another number, often 88 (in reference to the expression “Heil Hitler”).

Numeric code referring to the first and eighth letters of the alphabet, A and H, the initials of Adolf Hitler. It is mainly used by neo-Nazi skinhead groups and the Alt-Right, and is sometimes combined with other similar codes, such as 88 or 14.

Numeric code referring to the second and eighth letters of the alphabet, B and H, for “Blood & Honour.” It is a translation of the slogan “Blut und Ehre” of the Hitler Youth (the organization that brought together the young members of the Nazi party in Germany between 1926 and 1945). Today, the code often refers to the far-right extremist group and neo-Nazi music promotion network of the same name. It is sometimes used in combination with other similar codes, such as 88 or 14.

Numeric code referring to the third and eighth letters of the alphabet, C and H, for “Crossed Hammers,” in reference to the logo of the neo-Nazi and white supremacist skinhead group Hammerskins, founded in the late 1980s in the southern United States and with several branches internationally.

Numeric code referring to the eighth and third letters of the alphabet, H and C, for “Hail Christ,” an expression sometimes used by Christian extremist groups such as the KKK.

Numeric code referring twice to the eighth letter of the alphabet, H, for the expression “Heil Hitler.” It is generally used by neo-Nazi groups and the Alt-Right.

Numeric code referring to the date of the Battle of Poitiers (Tours), in France, on October 25, 732. During this battle, Charles Martel (grandfather of Charlemagne) succeeded in repelling the invasion of an Arab-Berber army, thereby supposedly ending the Umayyad dynasty’s invasion of Western Europe. In far-right circles, this date symbolizes victory in Europe over the Muslim invader and a form of reconquest of territory. It is sometimes used by French identitarian or ultranationalist groups, or by RAC (Rock Against Communism) bands.

Numeric code referring to the year of the Siege of Vienna, during which the Habsburgs resisted the invasion of the Ottoman Turks. In far-right circles, this date symbolizes victory in Europe over the Muslim invader and a form of reconquest of territory. Notably, it was displayed on the weapons of the perpetrator of the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

a

Visual symbols

Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB)

Logo of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), or Afrikaner Resistance Movement, a neo-Nazi-inspired white supremacist group from South Africa. Its symbol is inspired by the triskelion, a Celtic decorative motif representing three spirals joined at a central point and oriented in the same direction. As the AWB logo, the symbol also evokes a three-armed swastika and features the colours red, black, and white. It is used exclusively by neo-Nazi groups. The original triskelion (from the Celtic tradition) does not necessarily signal adherence to far-right ideologies, so it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Theories and concepts

Anti-White Racism

Notion referring to the belief that there is a vast cultural current carrying hatred toward white peoples. In far-right circles, this belief is often used to put forward a victimhood narrative justifying the ideological positions of various groups toward cultural and religious minorities. The notion of anti-white racism is sometimes associated with other far-right theories, such as the idea of white genocide or the Great Replacement. Some far-right slogans, such as “anti-racist is a code for anti-white,” echo this notion. It is not, however, used exclusively by the far right, and may be invoked by more conventional right-wing actors and political parties.

Expressions

Arbeit Macht Frei

German expression meaning “work sets you free,” which was displayed above the entrance gates of several Nazi extermination camps, most notably Auschwitz-Birkenau. The phrase is now taken up by neo-Nazi groups, who display it in their tattoos or on their clothing.

Visual symbols

Arrow Cross

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length, each ending in an arrowhead. It is borrowed from the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist and antisemitic Hungarian political party founded in 1935 and dissolved in 1945. Since then, various neo-Nazi or white supremacist individuals and groups have sometimes used this antisemitic political symbol.

b

Expressions

Blood and Honour

Expression that is a translation of the slogan “Blut und Ehre” of the Hitler Youth (the organization that brought together the young members of the Nazi party in Germany between 1926 and 1945). Today, it is used as a slogan by far-right groups to show their adherence to Nazi ideology. A neo-Nazi music promotion network of the same name was founded in 1987 by Ian Stuart, singer of an anti-communist rock band.

Visual symbols

Burning Cross

Racist practice used by members of the Ku Klux Klan, consisting of planting a Latin cross in the ground and setting it on fire. From the early 20th century, the KKK used it on certain occasions, such as during Klan rituals or to threaten Black families by planting such a cross in front of their homes. Its use is generally limited to groups that adhere to racialist theories, mainly the KKK, but it is now more widespread among certain other white supremacist groups, sometimes outside the United States.

c

Visual symbols

Canadian Red Ensign (1921 version)

Flag showing a Union Jack and the coat of arms of Canada on a red background. The Canadian Red Ensign was Canada’s flag before 1965. It also serves as the basis for the flags of several provinces, such as Manitoba and Ontario. It is sometimes used by monarchist, traditionalist, or even white supremacist groups to symbolize pre–Quiet Revolution Canada and to honour Canada’s British heritage. It can also be used as a form of denigrating Quebec (“Quebec bashing”) by pointing to the fact that, in its coat of arms, the symbol representing the Crown sits above the fleurs-de-lis. This flag is not used by nationalist groups in Quebec. Given its historical meaning, this flag displayed on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Visual symbols

Celtic Cross

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length set within a circle. The Celtic cross has its origins in Celtic Christianity, but differs from the religious version, which is instead made up of a Latin cross (whose lower arm is longer than the others). It is mainly used by neo-Nazis and the Alt-Right, for example in the logo of the racist forum Stormfront, where it appears surrounded by the words “White Pride World Wide.” In the Quebec context, its political use almost always signals adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is often displayed by sympathizers of the neo-Nazi movement.

Visual symbols

Confederate Flag

Red flag featuring two crossed blue-and-white bands set with 13 stars. The Confederate flag was the emblem of the Southern states defeated in the American Civil War (1861–1865). It generally symbolizes support for both the enslavement of Black people and racial segregation, and is often used by groups or people who are racist toward Black people. Those who use it, aware of its offensive nature, often try to conceal its racist meaning by associating it with “rural pride” in the United States, although it may sometimes be used by people who have not considered its real significance and symbolic meaning.

Visual symbols

Crossed Grenades

Emblem of the 36th SS unit of the Nazi army, whose commander, Oskar Dirlewanger, was notorious for his violence and sadism during the Second World War. He is now considered a hero within neo-Nazi groups, who wear the crossed grenades insignia in his honour and in reference to the actions of this unit between 1939 and 1945.

Visual symbols

Crossed Hammers

Logo of the neo-Nazi group Hammerskins, showing two crossed hammers, often on a cogwheel, and presented in black, white, and red. The group, founded in 1988 in Texas (United States), now has branches in various countries, including Canada. Their logo is sometimes accompanied by the number “38” (for CH, Crossed Hammers), generally in the same black, white, and red colours.

Term meaning “cuckold,” or a man who “lets himself be walked all over.” It pejoratively refers to men who do not meet a standard of virility and machismo in society or toward women, and is mostly used by the Alt-Right. It is, however, becoming increasingly popular in other spheres of the far right. As with many online expressions, its use does not automatically signal adherence to far-right ideologies, so it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

d

Expressions

Dependopotamus

Used mostly in the U.S. military context, this misogynistic term refers to overweight women who depend on—and above all take advantage of—the income and benefits of their partner’s or husband’s military employment. It is fairly widespread on online networks and amounts to a hateful prejudice against military wives.

Expressions

Deus Vult

Latin phrase meaning “God wills it,” the rallying cry of knights during the Christian Crusades. The expression was generally used to support and justify the Crusaders’ military expeditions to the “Holy Land.” Popularized by Hollywood films about the Crusades, it is often used by individuals linked to the far right, ironically and threateningly toward Muslims. Those who use it seriously see themselves as the symbolic heirs of the Crusaders, come to cleanse the Holy Land—which can now mean any Western country—of “Saracens” (Muslims).

e

Expressions

Echo ((()))

Antisemitic code consisting of surrounding the name of an individual, an institution, or a category of people, such as (((politicians))) or (((banker))), with three pairs of parentheses, in order to designate that individual, institution, or social category as Jewish (as a pejorative identifying marker). It is a fairly recent antisemitic code, which appeared in 2014 on the Alt-Right blog “The Right Stuff.” It is therefore mainly used online by individuals linked to the Alt-Right, neo-Nazism, or white supremacy. Along the same lines, the terms “blue” or “blueish” are also used by the online far right to covertly designate people or organizations as Jewish on social media.

f

Expressions

Feminazi

This term draws a link between “feminism” and “Nazism,” and thereby seeks to designate and categorize feminism—and therefore feminists—as extreme and violent. On the one hand, the term conveys prejudice against women’s liberation struggles; on the other, it promotes a false notion that associates this struggle with violence comparable to that unleashed by the Nazi regime.

g

This expression puts forward the idea that a homosexual political agenda has been put in place mainly to replace heteronormative norms. It is mainly built around the idea that the homosexual community—especially men—seeks to convert heterosexuals. Promoted by a right wing associated with Christianity, this “agenda” is mostly seen as a form of conspiracy theory, accusing a specific minority group of harbouring malicious intentions toward a majority.

Expressions

Gazillion

Contraction of “gas” and “million.” Expression used in far-right circles, particularly the Alt-Right, to mock the 6 million Jews exterminated in Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. It is sometimes replaced by “Gorillion” or “Six Gorillion” to suggest a supposed exaggeration of the “real” number of Jews who died in the extermination camps.

Visual symbols

German Imperial Flag

Black, white, and red flag, often featuring an imperial eagle or an Iron Cross. These were the war flags of the Reich for the periods 1903–1918 and 1933–1935. Less recognizable than the swastika flag, it is used and displayed by neo-Nazi groups to express their ideology. Its political use is exclusively neo-Nazi.

Expressions

Goyim

Hebrew word that literally designates gentiles or non-Jewish nations, and was originally used in a fairly neutral sense. The term was later used in an antisemitic context. The phrase “The Goyim Know, Shut It Down” is used, sometimes in memes, to mock Jewish people by referencing the conspiracy theory that the system is controlled by Jews. The idea is that a non-Jew (goy) has discovered the “truth” about the conspiracy, so it must be shut down to avoid being exposed. “Goyim” is now widely circulated by white supremacists and antisemites to designate individuals who supposedly serve as instruments of the international Jewish conspiracy. Some antisemitic activists sometimes call themselves “goy” to signal their pride in being non-Jewish.

Theories and concepts

Great Replacement

Conspiracy theory according to which there is a plot to replace white “native” populations with waves of racialized migrants. A recurring idea since the 19th century, the theory was developed in more detail in 2010 in a book entitled “Le grand remplacement” (The Great Replacement), and holds that the replacement process takes place through cultural and biological means, such that within a few decades, the identity of a native majority would change under the influence of a minority identity. It is in line with antisemitic conspiracy theories, but does not always name Jews as responsible for the plot. In Quebec, it is notably relayed by the Fédération des Québécois de souche, which sees immigration as a great lie by the State or another way of “getting rid of the Québécois.”

“Gyno” refers to women and “cracy” is the ending of several terms for political systems. This ending comes from the Greek word “kratos,” meaning command, power, domination, or control. The expression is thus meant to convey that we live in a system dominated by women, who have become the symbols of an authoritarian regime. The idea that we live in a matriarchal society is generally associated with it. It is a theory mainly widespread in masculinist and far-right circles.

h

Online world

Happy Merchant

Caricatural meme meant to depict a Jewish man smiling while rubbing his hands together (implying dishonest intentions). First popularized as a drawing in the mid-2000s on various white supremacist sites, it now circulates on Alt-Right forums such as 4chan and Gab. An exclusively antisemitic symbol, it is now part of the Alt-Right’s iconography.

Visual symbols

Hitler Salute / Nazi Salute

Gesture in which the right arm is raised at a 45-degree angle with the palm open, sometimes preceded by a fist to the heart or accompanied by a click of the heels, generally performed while standing at attention. Derived from the Roman salute, the Hitler salute became the official salute of Nazi Germany, generally accompanied by the words “Sieg Heil” (“hail victory”) or “Heil Hitler” (“hail Hitler”). It is a symbol specific to neo-Nazi groups and their members.

i

Theories and concepts

International Jewish Conspiracy

Theory according to which the Jewish people or Jewish communities aim to dominate the world. The Jewish conspiracy theory has roots going back to Antiquity, but reached its peak in 19th-century Europe, notably with the production of a forged document entitled The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, intended on the one hand to document, in a pseudo-official way, the existence of a secret Jewish society planning world domination, and on the other to justify and legitimize antisemitic opinions, behaviour, and crimes up to the Second World War. The Jewish conspiracy theory runs through all far-right movements today, but can also be invoked by parties or individuals on both the right and the left.

Visual symbols

Iron Cross

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length that widen at the ends, often depicted in black. This cross is first and foremost a military decoration that predates the Nazi regime, as it was among the military decorations of Imperial Germany. Because Hitler received it after the First World War, it became a decoration widely used under the Nazi regime and thus became a symbol of the regime. It is often used by bikers, sometimes without political meaning. Used on its own, it does not always represent adherence to far-right ideologies, but its political use is exclusively neo-Nazi.

k

Visual symbols

Kekistan Flag

Black, white, and green banner bearing the letter K four times, in a design inspired by the Nazi war flag. The logo of the 4chan forum appears in its upper left corner. Green was chosen to represent the “god Kek.” This “Kekistani” flag has been seen at various white supremacist demonstrations in the United States. In Quebec, the symbol remains largely a virtual phenomenon, known and circulated mainly by people close to the Alt-Right.

Visual symbols

KKK Hand Signs

Gestures that include various hand signals, for example forming a “K” with three fingers, or holding one’s belt while leaving only the middle, ring, and little fingers showing. They can also take the form of a salute, similar to the Nazi salute but performed with the left arm and four fingers spread, for the four Ks of “Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” These gestures are performed exclusively by KKK members and their sympathizers.

Visual symbols

Kolovrat

Symbol from Slavic mythology representing the sun god, made up of two swastikas or eight Sieg runes. It is sometimes used by racialist neo-pagan groups, but is above all frequently used as a tattoo by neo-Nazi skinheads. Given its historical meaning, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Expressions

Kâfir / Kuffar / Infidel

Pejorative expression (kâfir in the singular, kuffar in the plural) first used by Salafist and jihadist movements to designate non-believers and apostates of Islam (Jews, Christians, atheists, or Muslims living in the West). The term has been reappropriated by right-wing extremists to signal a rejection of Islam and pride in not being Muslim. An Islamophobic symbol in the far-right context, it may be written in Arabic so that it can be read and understood by Muslims who speak or understand the language. It is often associated with military/militia/police imagery and is popular among Islamophobic militias such as the Three Percenters (III%).

l

Expressions

Landwhale Womanatee Hambeast

Variants of one and the same idea, these words are first and foremost fatphobic, in that they mock people who are significantly overweight. Two of these words, “landwhale” and “hambeast,” are used to describe an obese or overweight person (man or woman) in an intentionally judgmental and hateful way. The third, “womanatee,” is used specifically for women who are significantly overweight.

Visual symbols

Life Rune

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), later taken up by Nazi mysticism. Under the Nazi regime, the life rune appeared in the logos of numerous ministries and adorned the graves of SS soldiers killed in combat. The symbol has been more widely adopted by the far right, notably in the logo of the National Alliance, a white supremacist organization in the United States. Given its historical meaning, however, the life rune used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used. More recently, the symbol has occasionally appeared within the eco-fascist movement.

Visual symbols

Lowered Chevron

Symbol appearing in various logos and emblems associated with right-wing extremism. Under the Nazi regime, single or double chevrons adorned the insignia of various ranks and decorations of SS soldiers. It can also evoke the Greek letter lambda, the symbol the Spartans bore on their shields. In contemporary use, for example in the logo of the French extremist group Génération Identitaire, it symbolizes adherence to traditional values. However, since this symbol is regularly displayed for non-political reasons, its use does not necessarily signal adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

m

Acronym for “Mort aux Juifs” (French for “Death to the Jews”). It is an antisemitic expression used almost exclusively by neo-Nazi groups and individuals, and may also refer to the title of a song by the neo-Nazi band Panzerjäger calling for the genocide of Jews. Note that in French this acronym can also mean “mis(e) à jour” (“updated”), so it is essential to take the context into account.

Emoji used in reference to white and male superiority, as well as a rejection of veganism, feminism, and diversity. The association between milk and white supremacy is linked to a 20th-century notion that “white peoples” have a greater tolerance for lactose due to a specific genetic mutation. This association was recently repopularized within the far right following a 2017 white supremacist demonstration in front of an anti-Trump art installation, during which protesters chugged gallons of milk. Many white supremacists and Alt-Right activists then began adding glass-of-milk emojis to their Twitter names and using the hashtag #MilkTwitter, sometimes in opposition to the notion of the Soyboy. Since the “glass of milk” emoji, like many web symbols, can be used ironically, its use does not automatically signal adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

n

Visual symbols

Nazi Eagle

Symbol inspired by the 19th-century German imperial coat of arms, showing an eagle clutching a swastika. Created by the Nazi party in Germany in the 1920s, it was later adopted for the coat of arms of the German Reich from 1935 to 1945. Various versions of this symbol are now used by far-right groups (mainly neo-Nazi groups and the Alt-Right), often in combination with other symbols.

Visual symbols

Nazi War Flag

Black, white, and red banner featuring a Nordic cross topped with a swastika in an off-centre white circle, as well as an Iron Cross in the upper left corner. During the Second World War, it was mainly displayed by various German military entities, notably the Kriegsmarine (the navy). Today, when used in political contexts, this flag always signals adherence to far-right ideologies, as well as explicit support for the Nazi, racist, and antisemitic political project.

Theories and concepts

Negationism (Denialism)

Term introduced in 1987 by French historian Henry Rousso to designate the theory of historical falsification that consists of denying events (mainly war crimes and genocides) in order to promote an ideology or a conspiracy theory, or to provoke populations. The best-known example of negationism is the questioning of the Jewish genocide and the denial of the gas chambers during the Second World War—the Shoah being, according to negationists, a hoax by Jewish populations and governments intended notably to justify the creation of the State of Israel.

Symbol borrowed from American racist movements of the early 20th century. It evokes lynching and is a sign of hatred toward Black people. Uncommon, this symbol is generally found on pins and badges. The political use of this symbol is almost exclusively far-right.

Expressions

No race mixing

Expression often represented visually by the figure of a Black man (black is used generically here to symbolize what is not white) and a white woman holding hands. It is used by white supremacists to denounce multiracial and multi-ethnic unions, couples, and families which, in their view, contribute to “the extinction of the white race.”

o

Visual symbols

Odal Rune

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet). Under the Nazi regime, the Odal rune appeared on the insignia of certain SS divisions, as well as on that of the Race and Settlement Main Office (RuSHA). Because of its adoption by the Nazi regime, this symbol has some popularity among right-wing extremists, notably neo-Nazis, neo-fascists, and the Alt-Right. Given its historical meaning, however, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Visual symbols

OK Hand Gesture

Hand gesture consisting of forming the letters “o-k” with one’s hand. It originally began as a hoax, orchestrated by 4chan users, to make people believe it actually represented the letters “WP” for White Pride or White Power. The symbol is now used semi-ironically by actual white supremacists, but also by a significant portion of “meme culture” participants, consumers of online memes. Used on its own, this symbol does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Online world

Operation Google

Expression referring to a system used online by far-right groups to convey racist remarks using code words, allowing them to conceal their opinions. These code words also make it possible to evade Google’s algorithm, which flags certain content and can trace it back to these groups. As part of this “Operation Google,” words such as “blue,” “blueish,” or “skype” are used to designate Jewish people and to convey hateful remarks about them in a concealed way.

p

Online world

Pepe the Frog

Frog meme depicting a character from Matt Furie’s comic Boy’s Club. Pepe appears in several variations (Sad Pepe, Smug Frog, Angry Pepe) and is used to illustrate different moods, like other memes. In recent years, the image was taken up by unmoderated forums such as 4chan and became, despite itself, the icon and mascot of a significant portion of the Alt-Right. Today, Pepe is almost always associated with far-right content. Used on its own, this symbol does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and may indicate an understanding of meme subculture or familiarity with the Alt-Right. It is therefore important to consider the context in which it is used.

r

Expressions

RAHOWA

Expression meaning Racial Holy War. It refers to the project of an armed conflict pitting “whites” against their supposed racial enemies, which would eventually lead to the final victory of the “white race” over them, as well as to its world domination. The expression was popularized by American white supremacist Ben Klassen, founder of the World Church of the Creator (a religion centred on white nationalist ideas). Since then, the expression has been used by various white supremacist or neo-Nazi individuals and groups, often in the form of calls for racial violence or to take up arms in defence of the “white race.” More recently, the code word “boogaloo,” or “big igloo,” has appeared online, used by individuals linked to the far right to refer to this race war.

Theories and concepts

Remigration/Reconquest

Expression referring to the return (forced or not) of racialized people, immigrants, or people of immigrant background to their “country of origin.” Used as a slogan and demand by many far-right identitarian groups, it is a synonym for deportation, and generally does not concern white immigrants or people of white immigrant background. In Quebec, remigration has notably been used as a slogan on the banners of ultranationalist groups. Sometimes presented as a solution to a supposed demographic threat linked to the Great Replacement theory, it differs from the notion of reconquest, which refers to a similar project of “taking back the territory” but proposes more explicitly violent means.

Expressions

remove kebab

Euphemistic expression and meme meaning “kill Muslims.” The meme refers to an anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim propaganda music video produced in the 1990s by Serbian soldiers, in tribute to Serbian politician Radovan Karadžić, convicted of genocidal crimes during the Balkan Wars. The euphemism has since been taken up by groups and individuals linked to the far right, mainly the Alt-Right, as a meme and as an Islamophobic expression calling for the extermination of Muslims. Notably, the perpetrator of the Christchurch attacks identified himself as a “kebab removalist.”

Expressions

Reverse rape

Although the expression can be used in other contexts, it is generally used by masculinist groups such as Incels to denounce their lack of sexual relations. The denunciations sparked by the #MeToo movement, which began in 2016 (and continued afterward), exacerbated certain Incel grievances, including their inability to obtain sexual relations with women. This context led these groups and individuals to put forward the idea that not having sex was worse than being raped, and therefore that their situation was nothing other than a form of “reverse rape” of which they are the victims.

Theories and concepts

Revisionism

Revisionism is the attitude of excessively relativizing, minimizing, or partially calling into question serious acts or events, such as the atrocities committed during the Second World War, in the name of an ideology or a pseudo-search for truth. It is hateful insofar as it seeks to historically erase proven facts in order to make people believe that it is false that certain specific categories of people—notably Jews, Black people, and people with disabilities—were targeted during these events.

s

Visual symbols

SA / Sturmabteilung

Logo of the Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment), a paramilitary organization that helped Adolf Hitler take power, more commonly known as the “Brownshirts.” The letters “SA” have been taken up by far-right organizations, notably in Quebec.

Visual symbols

Sieg Rune

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), representing the personification of the sun. Under the Nazi regime, the Sieg rune was widely used, notably in the SS insignia, as the emblem of the Hitler Youth, and in the logo of the Storm Detachment (Sturmabteilung). Because of its adoption by the Nazi regime, this symbol has some popularity among neo-Nazis. Given its historical meaning, however, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Expressions

Six gorillion

Pejorative term used to refer to Jews and, more broadly, to the genocide of the Jews by claiming that it has been exaggerated. The word “gorillion” has no meaning in itself and is used mainly by antisemites and the Alt-Right fringe of white supremacists. The expression “Muh Gorillion,” a distortion of “My Gorillion,” is also seen in media and on forums frequented by the Alt-Right, and is used to mock the Jewish genocide.

Visual symbols

Sonnenrad (Black Sun)

Symbol of Nazi mysticism, inspired by the Kolovrat, made up of three swastikas or twelve Sieg runes. It is sometimes used by racialist neo-pagan groups, but mostly by neo-Nazi skinhead groups. Since it is still used by various cultures today, this symbol displayed on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Expressions

Soyboy

Pejoratively designates “leftist” men to describe their weakness and lack of virility, often in reference to the association between masculinity and meat consumption, or to the phytoestrogens contained in soy, presumed to cause reduced fertility in men who consume it. The term appeared online around 2017 and remains mainly used as an insult by individuals linked to the Alt-Right.

Visual symbols

SS (insignia)

Insignia showing two white Sieg runes on a black background. This symbol refers to the Schutzstaffel (“protection squadron”), more commonly known as the SS or Waffen-SS, the elite military corps of Nazi Germany responsible for the concentration camp system. It is used exclusively by neo-Nazis.

Visual symbols

Swastika

Symbol with four arms resembling the Greek letter gamma (hence its common French name, “croix gammée”). It is an ancient symbol found in many cultures throughout history, and is still used in some regions (especially in Asia) as a positive symbol of good fortune. It was appropriated by Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist Party, notably on the German flag of the Nazi period (1935–45), as illustrated here, and is now synonymous with racist and genocidal hatred. Its Nazi version is generally right-facing (arms pointing to the right) and often tilted at a 45-degree angle, but many variations of this symbol exist. In Quebec, the depiction of the swastika is always a symbol of hatred.

t

Visual symbols

The Fasces

Ancient symbol, often heraldic, consisting of an axe wrapped in straight rods bound with straps. Dating back to the Roman Empire, it once symbolized the power and authority of the State. It was taken up in the 20th century by authoritarian parties (such as Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Party, which takes its very name from this symbol) to represent their absolute power. It is now often used by neo-fascist or white supremacist groups.

Expressions

Thot / Thot be gone / Thot patrol

Derogatory and pejorative term meaning “that hoe over there,” used by the Alt-Right to describe women in general, or those they do not hold in high regard. “Thot be gone” or “Thot patrol” express the desire to expel women from their discussion spaces. Used on its own, this symbol does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, but it remains strongly connoted in terms of sexism.

Visual symbols

Totenkopf

Skull over crossbones, in black and white. This insignia was set on the caps of the Schutzstaffel, the SS units in charge of running the Nazi regime’s concentration camps. This symbol is exclusively neo-Nazi.

w

Visual symbols

White Fist / Aryan Fist

A raised, exclusively white fist (generally the right one) on a black background. The White Fist is a symbol adopted in response to the Black Panther movement. It symbolizes “White Power,” that is, white power and white pride, and is sometimes accompanied by the inscription “RAHOWA.” It is used mainly by followers of white supremacist theories and by neo-Nazis.

Theories and concepts

White Genocide

Conspiracy theory according to which there is an international plot to eliminate or exterminate the “white race” through means ranging from mass immigration and interracial couples to violent genocide, as well as forced assimilation or land redistribution policies. The various versions of this theory almost always reflect adherence to white supremacist ideology, neo-Nazi movements, and/or the Alt-Right. Followers of this theory sometimes call for a violent race war to protect this “white race threatened with extinction,” and use slogans such as “diversity = white genocide” to signal their opposition to multiculturalism or immigration.

Expressions

White lives matter / It's okay to be white

Provocative slogans created in response to the “Black Lives Matter” slogan launched as part of the mobilization against police violence toward Black people in the United States. “White Lives Matter” and “It’s okay to be white” were introduced in support of two propaganda campaigns launched by the Alt-Right to provoke their political opponents and to create “evidence” supporting the theory of anti-white racism. They are used exclusively by white supremacist groups.

Expressions

White Pride World Wide (WPWW)

Motto of the Stormfront website. The slogan “White Pride World Wide” is written in black and white in biker style (“top & bottom rocker”) around a white Celtic cross on a black field. Once the largest white supremacist website in the world, and run by an influential member of the Ku Klux Klan, Stormfront was long an essential platform for the far right. It is still used by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups and individuals, but its number of users, as well as its private funding, has declined in recent years.

Visual symbols

Wolfsangel

An ancient rune that does not, however, appear in the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), the Wolfsangel is a German heraldic symbol reappropriated by the Nazis and worn by certain SS divisions. Today, the symbol is used by right-wing extremists as a symbol of resistance for the white race. It is mainly used by neo-Nazi groups and appears in the logo of the Aryan Nations group.

Expressions

WP (white pride/white power)

Slogans used as identity markers to express pride in belonging to the “white race” or in white supremacy, as well as hatred of “non-white” people. These slogans are displayed by white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups within the far right.

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