We are watching the anti-vaxx movement become radicalized into far right extremism. In real time. A THREAD:
-
Show this thread
-
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.
5 replies 8 retweets 69 likesShow this thread -
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.
1 reply 3 retweets 49 likesShow this thread -
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.
3 replies 9 retweets 82 likesShow this thread -
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.
1 reply 7 retweets 81 likesShow this thread -
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?
1 reply 7 retweets 82 likesShow this thread -
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.
1 reply 8 retweets 72 likesShow this thread -
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.
4 replies 8 retweets 86 likesShow this thread -
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.
3 replies 6 retweets 87 likesShow this thread -
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
11 replies 10 retweets 107 likesShow this thread
It's not "hard and fast." This rightward drift of the antivax movement has been going on at least a decade. It accelerated during the political battle over #SB277 in California in 2015, accelerated more with the rise of @realDonaldTrump, and still more with the #COVID19 pandemic.
-
-
Replying to @gorskon @realDonaldTrump
In my circles, hard and fast. Some went to SB277 protests. But they were devastated by the 2016 election. Now they’re suddenly ready to re-elect. I can’t tell you what % of the movement they represent. But I can tell you it’s a swift radicalizing.
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likesThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.