As a homeschool parent, I have long traveled in the same circles as anti-vaxx Moms. I disagreed with their views on vaccines, but overall these Moms were politically progressive. Woo woo, anti-science, but overall... progressive.
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And I was always nervous about the growing backlash against them online. The vitriol of it. The anger and condemnation and blame. Even as I agreed with the people who were spitting mad.
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Alienated from progressive circles, I’ve watched as they’ve been sucked in... by medical charlatans, by conspiracy theories, by anti-government and anti-public health narratives. Every year on social media, their posts get a little wilder, a little more desperate.
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Enter Covid-19. A global pandemic where the ONLY way out of a medical hellscape for us and future generations is... a global vaccination program. The anti-vaxxers, now primed for fear and conspiracy, immediately on high alert.
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Enter the anti-vaxx charlatans. Del, Dr. T, the Instagram-ready angel Moms, etc. They rush in to fill the void of fear with more disinformation. Deeper conspiracies. More and more anger. And to their delight... they reach a MUCH wider audience than they expect. That audience?
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The far right. Extremist groups, MAGA madmen, Boogaloo boys. All immediately and loudly join the chorus. And an unholy alliance is immediately born, and quickly cemented. A slick documentary gives it all the sheen of reality.
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And what about my sweet homeschool Moms, just trying to figure out what’s best for their kids in a sea of disinformation? I’m watching them become radicalized into the far right. In real time. On Facebook.
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I’ve watched as people who I would have counted as compassionate and caring have begun to align themselves with hate. And all the while, their anti-vaxx leaders fall further and further away from reality, greedily lapping up the new fans, new income streams, new reach.
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I don’t have any answers here. I’ve know for years that anger and condemnation don’t work. That begs the question... what the hell does? For now, I just want to share that I have a window into what is happening— The anti-vaxx is taking a hard and fast RIGHT turn into hate. /END
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An excellent wide view at the 5 year history of radicalized anti-vaxxers:https://mobile.twitter.com/gorskon/status/1259927049256546304 …
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One of the many wells that I’m seeing formerly well-intentioned, secular homeschool parents falling down:https://mobile.twitter.com/erumors/status/1259952124995096576 …
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