Book Review – Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy
Image: Culture Warlords by Lucy Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
5 out of 5 stars
Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin is the disturbing reveal of the most hate-filled corners of the internet - and of American society and politics. It is an extensive collection of research, filled with narratives of Lavin’s own experiences interacting with white supremacists as well as verbatim messages from her catfishing endeavors. (For those unfamiliar with the term, catfishing is the act of pretending to be someone you are not, typically via the internet.)
Lavin clearly put remarkable effort into her journalistic approach to white supremacy in America. Her research was extensive and deeply personal, with the author at some points spending months at a time catfishing potentially dangerous white supremacists and pretending to uphold their racist, misogynistic values. This allowed her to uncover potential threats, learn more about the white supremacy movement, and spread awareness.
Throughout her book, Lavin makes compelling connections between various widespread forms of hate, such as anti-Semitism and anti-Black racism. She shows the historical and cultural ties between the types of discrimination, prejudice, and violence that rest under the umbrella of white supremacy. Additionally, she illustrates the connections between white supremacy and religion, particularly Christianity and pagan religions, such as those that involve the worship of Odin. At no point does Lavin assert that Christians or Odin-worshipping pagans are inherently racist; she simply conveys the message that these religions are often co-opted by white supremacists and that they can be vessels for the justification of hatred and violence.
Culture Warlords could be potentially triggering for certain individuals. It addresses horrific systemic problems in American society and explicitly discusses racism, sexism, and physical and sexual violence. While the topic of the book is highly disturbing, it is vital for awareness to be spread of the hate that hides in the ordinary neighborhoods of America. Lavin’s book is an excellent resource to learn more about present-day racism, anti-Semitism, and misogyny - and what you can do as an individual to combat it. While at times, Culture Warlords can be a difficult read due to its heavy topic, Lavin’s intensive research and witty voice make for an engaging, informative book that is pressingly relevant to an increasingly divided America. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
