Integrating extremist views into a debate can lead to exclusivity in discussions on issues, policies and ideologies– particularly regarding groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Neo-Nazis.
These views reinforce a biased way of thinking, lack nuance and further deepen division within groups.
Instead of focusing on transformative issues, extremists reiterate hateful rhetorics and polarizing arguments that linger in debates. It causes the lack of open-minded discussions and the opportunity to truly understand every angle and perspective of others. From this perspective creates a hostile space that does not implement an impactful change within our policies, society, and government.
Extremist ideologies enforce oversimplified interpretations that emerge from real-world events to support their claim of the argument.
Extremists apply their claim, to amplify their voice to be an extension of their argument while speaking on the issues and policies they wish for others to comply towards, according to a Dec.19, 2024, Disinformation Social Media Alliance article.
These views create a space and dynamic of hateful speech that encourages other extremists and hate groups to gather and polarize an online space–which filters hateful speech, propaganda, accounts, and racial memes.
According to a USA Today article, it encourages hate and violent speech on social media platforms such as Facebook after the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd.
The content of this speech consisted of targeting the Black community with racial slurs, comments, and violent threats.
Acknowledging the presence of extremist views can negatively impact and affect our society.
As the hateful content of extremist views continues to become popular on various social media apps and entertainment platforms, it can influence many teens and young adults in our society to sway to this content.
With online debate spaces such as the YouTube channel Jubilee, providing a voice for extremists like Charlie Kirk enables extremists to vocalize their own beliefs and ideology of our society and the way it should be.
It ultimately can harm people who are targeted and affected by these certain ideologies and views through the projection of their voice.
This exposure can lead to violent attacks, as seen when the white supremacy group the Proud Boys launched the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a Dec. 23, 2022 (NPR) article.
This attack is an example of why extremist views should not be considered in debates.
It justifies harmful conflicts and movements among younger generations and imposes an ideology to hate, spread misinformation, and raise violence.
Although extremists have free speech, hateful rhetoric including antisemitism, racism or transphobia does not allow the opportunity to mask the hate of their words and actions justified as speech, according to an Aug.1, 2023, USA Today article.
Extremist views within a debate are not productive or transformative for change, as they can have a negative effect on the future of our society.
