# 4chan trolls - It's OK to be White **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 2, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496 "2017-11-02T14:14:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/1 "2017-11-02T14:14:47Z")
[Sample story here.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/signs-saying-its-okay-to-be-white-found-at-maryland-high-school/2017/11/01/92013a26-bf3b-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html?utm_term=.de14494b940e)[Background here](https://squawker.org/culture-wars/4chaniotbw/) (alt-right link, you’ve been warned). What’s the best way to deal with these douchebags? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/2 "2017-11-02T14:16:51Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > [Sample story here.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/signs-saying-its-okay-to-be-white-found-at-maryland-high-school/2017/11/01/92013a26-bf3b-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html?utm_term=.de14494b940e)[Background here](https://squawker.org/culture-wars/4chaniotbw/) (alt-right link, you’ve been warned). > > What’s the best way to deal with these douchebags? Same way you deal with anyone expressing anything positive related to their identity. Or is it that it’s saying “white” grounds for different treatment? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/3 "2017-11-02T14:20:10Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Same way you deal with anyone expressing anything positive related to their identity. Or is it that it’s saying “white” grounds for different treatment? You probably still hold your finger 1 inch away from your sister saying, “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you,” don’t you. Let’s not pretend that the point of the signs is about anything other than what they admit it is, which is > [@](#): > > about creating the most overblown reaction from the SJW Left possible. So that this overreaction would then hopefully be taken negatively by middle of the road political centrists, or as 4chan users tend to refer to them as “normies.” ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/4 "2017-11-02T14:24:06Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > You probably still hold your finger 1 inch away from your sister saying, “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you,” don’t you. > > Let’s not pretend that the point of the signs is about anything other than what they admit it is, which is Well, the simple solution is the obvious solution. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/5 "2017-11-02T14:25:29Z")
Why does anyone need to react to this? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/6 "2017-11-02T14:26:39Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > You probably still hold your finger 1 inch away from your sister saying, “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you,” don’t you. This is something other than the greatest debate technique I’ve ever witnessed. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/7 "2017-11-02T14:30:00Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > Why does anyone need to react to this? Nobody needs to react, and in a perfect world nobody would give the trolls the attention they so desperately crave. But we don’t live in that world. We all know people are going to react, and they’re going to react in a way that gives the trolls exactly what they want – a sense of victimization. Given that we all know a reaction is inevitable, I’m asking what the best way to deal with it is. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/8 "2017-11-02T14:31:30Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > This is something other than the greatest debate technique I’ve ever witnessed. Don’t hold back, tell me. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/9 "2017-11-02T14:34:56Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Nobody needs to react, and in a perfect world nobody would give the trolls the attention they so desperately crave. But we don’t live in that world. We all know people are going to react, and they’re going to react in a way that gives the trolls exactly what they want – a sense of victimization. > > Given that we all know a reaction is inevitable, I’m asking what the best way to deal with it is. Didn’t you just describe the best way to deal with the posters? Or do you mean what is the best way to deal with the reactions to the posters you anticipate? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/10 "2017-11-02T14:35:47Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Nobody needs to react, and in a perfect world nobody would give the trolls the attention they so desperately crave. But we don’t live in that world. We all know people are going to react, and they’re going to react in a way that gives the trolls exactly what they want – a sense of victimization. > > Given that we all know a reaction is inevitable, I’m asking what the best way to deal with it is. So what you are saying is that people don’t have any self control when faced with a harmless and boring message? That doesn’t give much credit to those people. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/11 "2017-11-02T14:43:06Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So what you are saying is that people don’t have any self control when faced with a harmless and boring message? That doesn’t give much credit to those people. At what point did I give you the impression that I wanted to give any credit at all to the people who get riled up by trolls? But just because I don’t approve of their response doesn’t mean I also approve of the trolling. Do you? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/12 "2017-11-02T14:46:46Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So what you are saying is that people don’t have any self control when faced with a harmless and boring message? That doesn’t give much credit to those people. I suspect that most people will ignore it—based entirely on the anecdotes of my life. Some people don’t have control. And some folks look for opportunities to stir the shit pot. That final group will likely get together with their counterparts who’re distributing the posters and churn that cauldron like Hobart mixer. Which’ll be fine if the shit sticks only to each other. The Recreational Outragers will certainly get their money’s worth. But, like you, I imagine most folks’ll shrug. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/13 "2017-11-02T14:47:54Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Nobody needs to react, and in a perfect world nobody would give the trolls the attention they so desperately crave. But we don’t live in that world. We all know people are going to react, and they’re going to react in a way that gives the trolls exactly what they want – a sense of victimization. > > Given that we all know a reaction is inevitable, I’m asking what the best way to deal with it is. Yes, people have reacted. The best way to deal with those reactions would probably be to tell the crying SJWs to grow up and get over it, or at least cry quietly, in the privacy of their own homes, to avoid giving the trolls the satisfaction of seeing liberal tears. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/14 "2017-11-02T14:49:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, people have reacted. The best way to deal with those reactions would probably be to tell the crying SJWs to grow up and get over it, or at least cry quietly, in the privacy of their own homes, to avoid giving the trolls the satisfaction of seeing liberal tears. They could also post DNFTT stickers next to the posters. Might be more effective than telling them that they’re cry-babies. Maybe not though. Maybe telling folks they’re cry-babies will calm 'em right down. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/15 "2017-11-02T14:50:59Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > But, like you, I imagine most folks’ll shrug. 99.9% will shrug, but in 2017 all you need is 6 stupid tweets and you’ve got the makings of a “People are freaking out over X” story. Literally, 6 is the right number. And every alt-right blog will take some combination of those same 6 tweets and recycling them into their own story, and then alt-righters are inundated with stories that prove how fragile and racist the left is. Being that the 99.9% can’t control the actions of 6 people who lack self control, I’m asking what novel ideas people have to deal with the trolls. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/16 "2017-11-02T14:52:37Z")
I never suggested “telling them they’re cry-babies”. If that’s what you took away from my post, I would encourage you to re-read it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/17 "2017-11-02T14:57:07Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > “…tell the crying SJWs to grow up…” > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I never suggested “telling them they’re cry-babies”. If that’s what you took away from my post, I would encourage you to re-read it. SHS, is that you?.. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/18 "2017-11-02T15:00:25Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > At what point did I give you the impression that I wanted to give any credit at all to the people who get riled up by trolls? > > But just because I don’t approve of their response doesn’t mean I also approve of the trolling. Do you? Since identify politics is all the rage these days I find this a fascinating development. I don’t see the issue with people choosing to write a harmless sentence. I do think that the emotionally underdeveloped that are bothered and are hypocritical with regards to the acceptance of identity politics will act predictably and counter productively. So to answer your original question again the correct action in response to triggering material is the obvious action. In other words, if one believes they are having their chain yanked for a laugh don’t take the bait. Reading “white is ok” or whatever should be a complete non issue. Hopefully a doper can find one of these posts and staple an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe to it. It’d go viral. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/19 "2017-11-02T15:01:17Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I never suggested “telling them they’re cry-babies”. If that’s what you took away from my post, I would encourage you to re-read it. my bad. replace “cry-babies” with “the kind of people who cry and who need to grow up and who need to get over it” Since they cry and need to “grow up”, perhaps they’re just cry-kids instead of cry-babies? Seems to read about the same, imho. ymmv ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496/20 "2017-11-02T15:05:43Z")
So, it’s NOT ok to be white? Or it is? or something else? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4chan-trolls-its-ok-to-be-white/800496.md?page=2)