# What should be done in response to the White Power gesture being flashed on camera? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 15, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895 "2019-12-15T16:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/241 "2019-12-18T19:15:49Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > It’s “much” of the white supremacist movement? How much is “much”? Can you site any statistics of how many members of the white supremacist movement are using the “OK” sign? Wild guess: All of them at one time or another. Serious question: Why are numbers important? What would it say about white supremacists if you knew that 48% of them throw the OK sign, 42% do not, and 10% are undecided? > [@Slash1972](#): > > Can you cite what percentage of the United States the people who use the OK sign to signify white supremacy makeup? No more than you can cite what percentage of the US population uses ethnic slurs. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/242 "2019-12-18T19:16:23Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Current events are where I’m getting my opinion about the hand sign. Ok sure. What event were you at where someone explained to you that the OK sign was a white supremacist thing? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/243 "2019-12-18T19:17:40Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Are these guys playing the circle game? > [Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud Boys in Context](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/) Of course not. It has to be below the waist. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/244 "2019-12-18T19:20:03Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Are these guys playing the circle game? > [Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud Boys in Context](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/) They are also wearing red white and blue flag bandannas. is that a white power symbol? The MAGA hats… well, sadly… and like I said, those morons are even more gullible that the pearl clutching SJW are. They bought into the hoax hook, line and sinker. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/245 "2019-12-18T19:29:27Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > If you’re smart, you come out with a statement that forcefully denounces any association with groups that seek to use your image for nefarious purposes. > > If you’re not smart, you passively allow racists to control your image, allowing the public to make assumptions about your affiliation. Yes, that’s the only reasonable response. However, that doesn’t change the fact you’re now potentially evidence of someone’s political leanings. If someone has a lot of Taylor Swift pictures, it might mean something bad. It might mean something innocuous, too, but that doesn’t change the fact it is potentially evidence. It’s impossible to completely cleanse it now, like how it’s impossible to cleanse being into population genetics or being Christian. The only question is how strong the evidence is. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/246 "2019-12-18T19:41:09Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Wild guess: All of them at one time or another. > > Serious question: Why are numbers important? What would it say about white supremacists if you knew that 48% of them throw the OK sign, 42% do not, and 10% are undecided? No idea what it would say about white supremacists. But it would say a lot about how much worry I should have over it. > [@](#): > > No more than you can cite what percentage of the US population uses ethnic slurs. I’d say close to 100% ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/247 "2019-12-18T19:42:20Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Are these guys playing the circle game? > [Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud Boys in Context](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/) Are [these two](https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1250080-ok-symbol-%F0%9F%91%8C) displaying their support for white supremacy? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/248 "2019-12-18T19:43:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > and like I said, those morons are even more gullible that the pearl clutching SJW are. They bought into the hoax hook, line and sinker. You can’t simultaneously castigate “pearl clutching SJWs” and white supremacists for falling for the same hoax. If white supremacists have been hoaxed into using the okay gesture as a symbol of white supremacy, then the SJWs you so loathe _are absolutey correct in their reaction to the okay gesture._ I mean, you keep arguing that this cadet can’t have been making a white power gesture, because the whole thing was started as a hoax on 4chan. And when confronted with actual, unambiguous white supremacists using the okay gesture as a white supremacist symbol, you argue that they’re just idiots who swallowed the same hoax. Which leads to the obvious (to most) question: how do you know this cadet isn’t a white supremacist who was “fooled” by the 4chan hoax in exactly the same way those dipshits in that photo were fooled? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/249 "2019-12-18T19:44:29Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Are these guys playing the circle game? > > [Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud Boys in Context](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/) They are saying it is OK to be white! Duh! Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/250 "2019-12-18T19:45:24Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Yes, that’s the only reasonable response. > > However, that doesn’t change the fact you’re now potentially evidence of someone’s political leanings. If someone has a lot of Taylor Swift pictures, it might mean something bad. It might mean something innocuous, too, but that doesn’t change the fact it is potentially evidence. It’s impossible to completely cleanse it now, like how it’s impossible to cleanse being into population genetics or being Christian. > > The only question is how strong the evidence is. Look, lets be clear: if someone has a lot of Taylor Swift picture, it \*always \*means something bad. It just doesn’t necessarily mean white supremacy. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/251 "2019-12-18T19:51:43Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Look, lets be clear: if someone has a lot of Taylor Swift picture, it \*always \*means something bad. It just doesn’t necessarily mean white supremacy. (scraps plan to replace avatar with Taylor Swift picture) ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/252 "2019-12-18T20:05:27Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Are [these two](https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1250080-ok-symbol-%F0%9F%91%8C) displaying their support for white supremacy? How many people have to explain context to you? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/253 "2019-12-18T20:09:52Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I find it unlikely that you can find any posts of mine where I say that anything by anyone on 4chan is anything. > > I am using years of experience to know that it is the circle game. Not the opinion of morons on the Internet. A few questions. Are there people out there who believe that making the OK sign indicates you are a racist? If so, and such people make the OK sign, are they playing the circle game? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/254 "2019-12-18T20:13:06Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Are [these two](https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1250080-ok-symbol-%F0%9F%91%8C) displaying their support for white supremacy? Are these guys playing the circle game? > **[Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud...](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/)** ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/255 "2019-12-18T20:15:01Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > A few questions. > > Are there people out there who believe that making the OK sign indicates you are a racist? > > If so, and such people make the OK sign, are they playing the circle game? Well, this thread has started to merge the OK sign with the circle game sign. Which are not the same. Could you be more specific on your question knowing that? In the interim, I guess for your first answer, yes. There are people in this very thread who think that making the OK sign indicates you are a racist. And I find it unlikely to the extreme that those people never, ever make the OK sign. They may not play the circle game, because the game is stupid, and most people in this thread are not. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/256 "2019-12-18T20:17:24Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Are these guys playing the circle game? > [Locked Down in OMSI During the Aug. 17 Protests, A Professor Puts the Proud Boys in Context](https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/08/25/locked-down-in-omsi-during-the-aug-17-protests-a-professor-puts-the-proud-boys-in-context/) I’m pretty sure I answered this already. Look at post #243 ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/257 "2019-12-18T20:20:31Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I’m pretty sure I answered this already. Look at post #243 Ah. I legitimately missed that post. Then I’ll answer your question: Jay Z is indeed a Satanist. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/258 "2019-12-18T20:27:35Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Ah. I legitimately missed that post. Then I’ll answer your question: Jay Z is indeed a Satanist. (scraps plan to replace avatar with Jay Z picture) Strange day when Marilyn Manson is the least controversial avatar picture to have. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/259 "2019-12-18T20:39:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No, I dont. They have no idea is means “white supremacy” - mainly as it doesnt. > > It’s exactly as \*\*Bear\_Nenno \*\*says, a silly game played by new military people. But is that silly game ever played by black military people? If it is then that’s evidence that the gesture is not racist, just inane. But if there is no evidence of black military playing the circle game then ?? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895/260 "2019-12-18T20:48:13Z")
> [@Kovitlac](#): > > All I hear is, “WHY ARE PEOPLE SO RACIST WHEN USING A GESTURE THAT HAS HAD A COMPLETELY HARMLESS MEANING FOR 200 YEARS?? DON’T THEY KNOW IT’S RECENTLY BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO WHITE SUPREMACISTS??” > > The OK symbol fucking means “Okay”. Get over it being used. I wonder why people here keep talking about the ‘OK symbol’ because that has nothing to do with the cadets at the football game. What that guy flashed was NOT an ‘OK’ because it was upside-down. Different signs. Not the same. Stop talking about ‘OK’-- it’s nothing to do with this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-response-to-the-white-power-gesture-being-flashed-on-camera/844895.md?page=14)