#ProudBoys Whisperer 2019 Recap: A Year in Tweets
In January, I took the leap and started a @patreon account because I knew I had something worth sharing with the public and I knew it needed support.
At the time, I was in my last semester of a grad school and working two graduate assistant jobs. I am grateful to all who have helped me bring my incident tracking project to life and continued to support me and my organization this year.
Couldn’t have done any of this without you.
In January, I also provided clarifications on #ProudBoys degrees in relation to Roger Stone.
In February my coder and I began turning my map data into a dashboard. We knew we had to stop Gavin, from again manipulating the public into believing the Proud Boys were just a fraternal drinking organization, but we wanted to do it with data.
In March, I began The Fash Fatigue Chronicles, a glimpse inside the life of a countering violent extremism researcher open about burnout. I also got to share my research insights at my university’s Title IX office to introduce them to the far right.
https://twitter.com/ashkenaz89/status/1113612515714322432?s=20
In April, I completed my comprehensive exams and appeared on Daniel Harper’s I Don’t Speak German Podast to discuss my Proud Boys research. In April, my research on DARVO was featured in an activist publication.
In May I graduated with my masters degree in communication studies and began my “Based and Bookpilled” series, a growing resource that will be incorporated into new initiatives to counter violent extremism, through dialogue and engagement.
In June I spoke again with Daniel Harper about Edgelord comedy as a recruitment mecanism.
With Jared Holt about what to expect from the #ProudBoys in 2020.
I also spoken with Caroline Orr about the Proud Boys co-opting the Yellow Vest movement in Canada.
In July I wrote about what it means to have skin in the game
In August my research was featured in the Rolling Stone.
And added to a list of resources in #NationOfChange
In September I continued my summer job as a cocktail waitress, and reflected on the appeal of Jordan Peterson.
In October, I got to help my university reduce the likelihood of violence through proactive messaging.
Prior to Charlie Kirk’s #CultureWar speaking event, swastikas were again found at my university.
My alma mater hired me to be a part of their Resist Hate Initiative, where I shared my research findings and helped faculty and students prepare.
Part of my work involves explaining how the far right galvanizes your outrage to recruit. I was proud to assist with proactive messaging to help UNR students better respond to and resist far right recruitment efforts on campus.
I then probed Charlie Kirk’s inconsistencies during his question and answer section, the time he allots for audience responses.
At the end of October, someone considering committed a terrorist attack encountered the I Don’t Speak German podcast episode where I encouraged people to reach out.
After reaching out, Light Upon Light was able to engage, deescalate, and prevent him from committing a terrorist attack.
I also got to provide more insight into the victimization narratives that circulate in the Proud Boys in the context of their sentencing.
In November, thanks to the generous support from my followers, I got to present with my research peer CV Vitolo-Haddad at the 105th Annual NCA conference. Our panel was titled, “Pain, Mediocrity, and Rage: Ethnographic Theories of Right Wing Male Behavior.”
We also met with others working on exciting new initiatives at American University.
In December, the most precarious time of the year, I got to visit my family.
After much needed family time, I returned to my academic pursuits. I finally submitted my manuscript thanks to the generous feedback of academics who believe in my research.
In addition to the bad news of being put on a kill list, and disinformation spread about the work I do, I’ve also received good news that more Proud Boys have left or are considering leaving.
If you have interviewed me this year, supported my research, asked for insight into problems you were facing in your communities and at your universities, allowed me to interview you as a victim of violent extremism, a community organizer, or as a former extremist, I thank you.
In an age of growing extremism, we all have skin in the game, and we all have something to contribute.
If you are in a position to provide financial support, send a one time contribution through Venmo: @ashkenaz89.
If you cannot provide support financially, here are other ways you can contribute.
- Share the information you have with me through Twitter/signal DM or email. Info: samantha@proudboyswhisperer.com.
- Spread awareness of my academic and #OSINT research on and offline.
- When you can, listen to others with different viewpoints, persist against the initial discomfort against these types of interactions, and innoculate yourself against disinformation and propoganda. With enough practice, you may be in a position to combat disinformation the next time you see it.
I hope you’ll keep fighting the good fight with me in 2020.
Sam, The Proud Boys Whisperer
UPDATE
*I announced my decision to leave Light Upon Light February 2020 and am no longer affiliated with their activities.
