God Save RiverDancing, Wooden CLogs, IKEA, and Frank Hvam

Dear young, white nationalist from the University of Nevada - Reno, who attended the rally in Charlottesville,

What exactly do you mean by “white European culture?” I read that you are not racist, thank goodness. Lord knows we could do with one less racist out there. I understand that you just believe that “white European culture has a right to be here just like every other culture.” What does that mean???

​Background: The Twitter Account, Yes, You're Racist, revealed who some of the protesters in Charlottesville were.  One of them was a student from the University of Nevada, Reno, who in sum, and according to various news sources, stated that he was not a racist and just wanted to preserve "white European culture."   The letter below is my response to his statement.

---

If you mean that we need to preserve riverdancing, then I’m all for it! I freaking love me some Irish folk music and getting my jig on. Just ask all the confused French people at my wedding. Perhaps you feel these white nationalists and supremacists would like to march around in wooden clogs? Seems like that would be uncomfortable and you might not really march very far, I don’t think. I don't know, I haven't tried it. We could also build more IKEAs and indulge in more Swedish meatballs after we high-five ourselves for putting together lopsided furniture ALL BY OURSELVES! Nothing like building furniture to make you feel independent and badass. Am I right or am I right? How about we make Frank Hvam famous in the States to spread and preserve more of that European humor that most middle-Americans don’t even understand. He is one of my favorite comedians, and white as the Danish snow he made snow angels in as a child. Ooo I know. We can all call ourselves Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, drink like we’re Irish, and celebrate an Irish holiday the Irish don’t even celebrate. Oh wait, we already do that.

However, I get the feeling, you are not referring to all the awesome things aforementioned, which really bums me out, because I totally just got so excited thinking about Finnish spas becoming a regular thing around here. I believe what you are actually referring to, no matter how hard you try to lie to yourself, is preserving what we call, F-A-C-I-S-M. Perhaps you missed this in one of your history classes, but facism is an ugly part of history that killed millions of people and not considered something we want to resurrect, or preserve for those who still feel okay waving around the Nazi symbol which is banned even in the country that initially spread it.

I mean, if you want to preserve aebelskivers and make them as popular or widespread as baklava, by all means, I’d be down for some more Danish pancakes in my life. Of course, having to trek to Solvang to get my fill is probably better for my waistline, but hey, I agree, aebelskivers have just as much a right as baklava to be here.
​
May I ask you something, young white nationalist from the University of Nevada - Reno...can you even pronounce your own last name?

BIG LOVE & HUGS

Love,

Justine

​(American-Asian woman and native Angeleno, who loves churros, Jane Austen, tea time, trampolines, and people not asking me where I'm from knowing they won't be satisfied with Los Angeles as the response.)

P.S. It would totally make my dreams come true if we could make Christmas markets a thing here in the United States. Thanks.

P.P.S.  I asked my white European husband what white European culture is, and he hasn't a clue either.