With every movement, it is inevitable that there will be defectors and detractors. Whether that’s someone genuinely changing their minds or an infiltrator pretending to have a change of heart, it has to be something we handle in a healthy manner. We can’t force anyone to believe anything, so the primary focus should be on how we respond to these situations.
A balance must be met. We cannot just ignore people leaving our ranks, but we cannot make it out to be a bigger deal than it actually is. When it comes down to it, most people are entirely replaceable. The movement is not hinging on any one person, and acting like it does gives them too much credit.
In my opinion, such actions should be met with clear, calm denunciation, and then ignored. If they aren’t fighting for us or explicitly against us at that point it’s a waste of time, energy, and concentration to continue focusing on them. However, we should have responses to any criticisms they rose ready, because the left will assuredly use those arguments against us.
I think that Eli Mosley made some good points in regards to this, there’s a full thread:
I’d like to address the people who backed out of the movement post-cville and the ones who stood strong. People like @bakedalaska & others:
— Eli Mosley (@ThatEliMosley) September 12, 2017
He is 100% right. None of us are ever going to be able to unlearn the things we have. Those that fall away either never believed it in the first place, or they are in denial to themselves. I for one, will not live a life like that.
To those of us deeply involved in the movement, this isn’t just some game. If you’re thinking of “joining the alt-right” just because it’s trendy or edgy, don’t. There are many sacrifices that you will have to make if you do, and you will only walk away with a tarnished reputation if you decide to leave. I wish that it weren’t like this, but that’s how things work now.
