My descent into America's neo-Nazi movement & how I got out | Christian Picciolini | TEDxMileHigh
At 14-years-old, Christian Picciolini went from naive teenager to white supremacist, and soon, the leader of America’s first neo-Nazi skinhead gang. How was he radicalized, and how did he ultimately get out? In this courageous talk, Christian shares a surprising and counterintuitive solution to hate in all forms. After leaving the white-supremacist skinhead movement that he helped build in the 1980s and 90s, Christian Picciolini co-founded Life After Hate, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people disengage from violent extremism. His memoir, White American Youth: My Descent into America's Most Violent Hate Movement-and How I Got Out (Hachette), which details his involvement, and eventual disengagement, from the early American white nationalist movement, will be published on December 26, 2017. Christian lives in Chicago. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Changed behavior is stronger than an apology. This is an example of changed behavior.
I’ll be your first reply even tho you have 760 likes.
So true. Honestly, I could've fallen into the same trap as he did a few years ago. I was really leaning towards the hateful ways of racists. Blaming my problems, and my country's problems, on everyone else. Luckily, I started seeking information in the last year or two that has swayed me to the complete opposite side of things. I have been very passionate about what's been going on in the US lately. But had things not happened the way they did, I could've been on the other side of this whole ordeal. Morally, I'm glad I chose the side fighting for equality, not hate.
The_Descendant II and what’s the truth?
The_Descendant II oh lol you’re just a skinhead. Okay. Can’t wait till your kind is put down
The_Descendant II you just do not hold the mental capacity to digest the information from the above mentioned report correctly.
The guilt he has must be unimaginable. I'm so proud of him getting out of that hole. God bless his soul
@Payton Bloom couldnt help but lol at this post. Your avatar (the ok hand emoji) was declared a hate symbol by the ADL, any thoughts on that?
luke have you ever heard of the circle game? You put that around your knee and if someone looks you get to punch them lol I think that’s what his picture is
Ry Guy I quit smoking weed about 20 years ago. It’s bad for your central nervous system. ENJOY! I hope you develop a panic disorder.
Ry Guy Nah, I’m good. Also quit drinking in 2009 and nicotine in 2011. Clean as a whistle. 🤫🥳
Ry Guy Thanks
This is a man. Someone who can see his mistakes and own up to them with dignity. Respect.
It does take alot of balls to admit you were wrong for 8 years and hurt people.
amen
It was good he changed but he still did horrible things ... Soo
@@starrysoup so? He recognized and changed, this means his apology is accepted, end of story.
Emily, you didn't understand a word he said. You missed the entire point.
heart warming story, Mark Twain said it perfectly “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness"
Good old Samuel Clemens. I wonder what he's up to on Haley's Comet about now? Maybe spreading wisdom to another planet in desperate need of it?
We must destroy the German ideology
😊 I love that Mark Twain quote! It's so true!
That's absolutely true but take it from somebody who's travelled a lot and learned the languages and experienced the cultures: of the world, the point is not to pretend all other countries and cultures are perfect. They're generally at least as bad as or worse than the US judged from the standpoint of enlightened values. The lesson to be learned is that all people everywhere have a lot of toxic cultural/biological/religious programming and need to fight against their own worst instincts as well as those of others.
violent hate groups always target people who are emotionally lost, it allows them to place their rhetoric where love and compassion should have been. edit: i did not expect this comment to be received so well, thank you all
I agree. I've heard the same thing with ISIS recruitments.
A lot of groups do this. Religions, cults, gangs, hate groups, etc. It's much easier to find someone who's lost and give them a place in the group to make them feel loved, wanted, and respected than it is to convince someone who's emotionally stable and has their life together to join your group.
@@dx1450 sadly one of the flaws of capitalist society is it capitalizes off wants, as well as needs. If you need something, you can bet that you will have to pay for it, with some exceptions. So starting a group for people who feel left out of society will usually turn out as a cult or pyramid scheme...there is no viable solution at this point in time. Similarly in non-capitalist societies some needs are just unavailable altogether, pushing people to join corrupt groups.
I read "The Wave" for English class a couple years ago and this is true even in that book's story. The most bullied and isolated character becomes the one most passionately involved with the movement.
@@ilanlaham6911 we crave social interaction. and when we are deprived of it, we will seek it wherever we can find it. Even if it is unhealthy/abusive
"Give compassion to those that deserve it the least, because they are the ones who need it the most"
Nah. Kill nazis.
@@MeatCatCheesyBlaster help protect vulnerable teen boys from extremist manipulation
@@dilemmaofemma kill nazis and protect the youths
@@Otra_Chica_de_Internet did you watch the video? Killing never solves anything
haha 420th like
Bruh, I just watched the TedX talk with the guy that was almost a school shooter and his ask was almost identical to this guys’ ask. Show compassion to those that look like they deserve it the least. The “almost shooter” had a friend that simply treated him like a friend and stopped him from committing murder. Such a beautiful thing.
The woke mob on Twitter needs to get this message. If there was more quiet virtue and less virtue signaling, we'd all be better off.
i came through the same path. was surprised too!
I came here after watching that too
I just watched that one too. Do we have the same feed? :)
watched that vid right before this one
I am a Muslim, and this brought tears to my eyes, may Allah bless his soul Ameen
You are from Kerala, India. Malayalee. Your name is NOT Muslim, but Christian. Mathai is Mathew.
💛
What kind of Muslim? There are many..
i too want to find peace and serenity in islam.
@@MarKuzvicky My name is Japanese, though I am not the slightest so. I was named after my godmother, who was a family friend but of no relation to us. Does that make me a less legitimate individual because my name does not fit my ethnicity? Of course not. And so it is quite a silly deduction to make IMO, to presume that a person's country of origin, name, ethnicity and faith all have to be matchy-matchy. Life is so complex and rich, and that is a GOOD THING! Peace to you.
When he said that his music, after decades of being out of the movement, inspired the Charleston shooter, it hit me. The power and braveness to admit that, and to fight it later, so amazing. Skinheads started out as a socialist punk rock movement, and neo nazis used the ideals of individuality to get vulnerable white men to join. This is an amazing story to hear.
Christian has a somewhat current punk band called Random 55 (of course with more progressive rhetoric)... I recomend checking them out
SHARP >
Link the songs or he’s a liar
Nazis are collectivist.
This is the point at which i cried. He is the definition of the movie American history X.
"Hatred is born of Ignorance, FEAR is its Father and ISOLATION is its mother".
Fear was there for a reason, and most of these reasons don't exist in our modern world. When you have some sort of phobia it's nearly always irrationnal. And when it's "rationalized" or justified, it's usually based on misinformation, ignorance or unfactual data.
@Terry Martin Yes and to me it isn't rationnal either. People afraid of medical pros seeking help of unprofessionnal strangers instead, people afraid of unknown races or identities and denying basic human rights to kids rescued from war and destruction, the amount of cognitive dissonnance in climatosceptics speeches.... Please, are these things really rationnal?
@@GreyPunkWolf WOW you totally missed the point. Your reply has absolutely nothing to do with what I posted. 216 people understood the quote but 2 people just missed it entirely.
@@DrewAndrews Did not, and actually replied to a person that did. Or at least that tried to prove you wrong.
“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”
I met Chris a couple of years ago in Denver. I found him to be very intelligent, incredibly well-read, and compassionate man. That said, I'm very happy that I didn't meet him 25 years earlier because if I had, I probably wouldn't be here today.
@ImYour Huckleberry he’s probably Jewish. Just a guess
@@yusoufhakim3429 With a name like Jim Kelly? LOL ☘️ I think he means that these rightist brutes would just as soon kill you as look at you (like any violent radicals anywhere around the world). They have no respect for life.
@@yusoufhakim3429 ya jim kelly is not a jewish name
the guy is not a homicidal ???? i dont get what you mean
@@clarepellerin my grandfather had the name Reilly but he was Jewish, he changed his name in the 1920s to escape anti semitism
My parents are racists. not extremists, but I was conditioned to only see "the other." It's been a long journey of awakening to see myself in every face and every thing.
But know there are so many, including myself, who applaud you for starting this journey and will support you during it
Me too. I had to unlearn a lot of hate and fear, but now I do my best to be an activist and treat everybody with kindness, compassion, and respect :)
@200 ???
@200 ???
@@thesilverone7011 who are you referring to?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
LOl
*loves *gets assassinated
I thought of this quote during the video
dedede feedldee dee sad that you can’t critically think to see the bigger picture... do you even understand how much progress has been made since the 60s?? Probably not because you can’t even critically think to understand what MLK was trying to say with that quote
MLK Jr hated Jews
It really takes a strong person to acknowledge their wrongs, and personally apologize and actively try to fix them. Bravo 👏🏽
Takes a stronger person to never subscribe to irrational HATE!, celebrate those. Imagine how many lives his very existence destroyed, and now virtue signalling to the bank.
odigie johnson yea but i think its powerful when one discovers how wrong they were and admits to how wrong they were. Not only does it help themselves but others who are still like they were.
You were correct and still are, I just give my 2 cents. Stay strong!
I don't think he was trying to make himself look better. If he were he wouldn't be telling this story to begin with, and he'd especially leave out the part where he ruined lives as best he could. I think he was more or less saying the same thing you are, Odigie; that becoming a neonazi (for him, anyway) was the result of a lack of strength, and a lack of direction. This wasn't a "look at how strong I am" thing; it was "this was how this happened for me, so maybe it can help you interact with others or avoid having it happen to you." It may also have been an attempt to reach people who believe the things he used to believe; I don't know.
Bjay _jw it really takes a stronger person to not do those wrongs in the first place
"And he embraced me, and he forgave me." Oooohhhhhhh here come the onion chopping ninjas...
lol
me tooooooo
What an amazing school security guard for forgiving instantly!
A great exemple of empathy😊
I saw the comment before it came up and, damn, still got me.
"Hatred is born of ignorance. Fear is its father, and isolation is its mother." Damn. Good words.
If a certain group of people hurt your loved ones would you not feel contempt and hatred for them? Would you not want to stay away from them as in isolate?
@@joemerr1091 Yeah, ignorance. A smart person will know that the actions of a few people shouldn't dictate how they perceive an entire race of people
@@SubcribeMinecraftNOW and how would you determine who those few people were? No matter how smart you are will you be willing to risk your life to find out?
@@joemerr1091 You risk your life every day in a million ways. You have a much much higher chance of dying when you get in your car on the way to work. Or maybe you have an aneurism. Or maybe you get cancer. What exactly motivates you to dehumanize another race of people? Do you honestly, truly think that each person can't have emotions, biases and prejudice? Or in that same vein, does every person of that race lack dreams, aspirations, motivations? I think you should think long and hard about the direction that racism takes you. It is the most useless, self-pitying and cowardly ideology you can subscribe to. Is that really all you are? Is there nothing in you that tires of hatred?
Totally reminds me of the "I was almost a school shooter" speaker Aaron Stark. They make a very similar point.
Tony Maynard Andrew Yang brought me here.
That school shooter vid was what I watched right before this.
@@JackFoxtrotEDM me aswell
Their conclusions are exactly the same, yeah
That's cos a lot of these sorta people dont have original story's lol
It takes a real man to admit his mistakes. It takes a REAL man to get up on stage and say the same. Good on this man. I wish many others would hear his story, and consider what they think. But this is also a real man, who will listen to someone with hate in their heart, and will pull them in closer to show them the way. He is a person who truly bears his name. He is a person who all Christians should emulate in character. I bet that imam knows the best falafel carts, and I'd love to have some with him.
lit
Oh look, a fake Justin Y.
"person who everyone should emulate in character" is better :) i get what you meant though, btw i now want falafel and its early morning ....thanks for that :D
WhatnotSoforth I messed up my relationship with my girlfriend and her mother and they don't want me in their life. I'm lost and depressed. Just looking for a friend. As you've said in your comment how do I be a man and confront them and apologize for my actions?
@@historia9914 Well, what did you do that messed things up? Once you know, that's a good place to start. Figure out how you can fix that. If they won't accept an apology, or you don't think you can change, then your best bet is probably to move on to something better.
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... Hate leads to suffering.” -Master Yoda
The wise words of yoda
Godspeed, Master Yoda
Excellent quote. 🙏🏾🙏🏼💙🌹❤️
FALSE fear is not cause of our anger or hatred!!!you know nothing about us so shut up!!!
@@keepingbloodpuretypenation5906 soooo you must have made it to the anger phase. Maybe you just passed that stage and went straight to the hate phase. Keep your blood “pure” if you choose, you talk about rights, I have the right to choose also. Do you think you’ll be a hated minority? If so, you have to admit to yourself, you believe minorities aren’t treated so well at times. Grace fellow human.
He's a courageous man. This is also why it's so important to show empathy. You can't fight hate with hate. You fight hate with kindness, compassion, and empathy.
@General Pinochet I realize you are. But it's okay. I'll show you empathy regardless. :-)
Well many people on alt-right are sad and lonely and that feeling can be used to balance out your hatred
@@keepingbloodpuretypenation5906 Most of these right wing people are extremely miserable and frustrated
@@tessy28 exactly. a point i like to bring up with this and similar topics is this: "do you think they're happy? do you think happy people do things like that?"
@@tessy28Yeah look at what is happening to our once beautifull country
I really like how he said even privilege is a pothole.
Flint 25 - yeah, that stuck out to me too. Perhaps it's that privileged people start to think they deserve it and are better. I think of my luck in being adopted into a loving supportive family as luck and am grateful, not that I am better - mainly due to my mother's teaching - bless her.
Good catch, thanks I missed that.
@@jasonwalsh6032 Privilege isn't being successful. Privilege is advantages you have by virtue of who you are. Privilege isn't earned, you are born with it.
@William Bauer privilege doesn't depend on what you do, it's just the advantages you have for no reason
@@pjaypender1009 you need to stop believing everything you hear in the media
If you think that this guy deserve empathy but an ex ISIS recruit doesn't, you are controversial. Both this man and an ex ISIS recruits should be understood in order to prevent this problem. And they should be helped not condemned.
yes!!!
I personally think anyone can redeem themself. The recruits of ISIS/neonazis and similar groups are often terribly young, so they have a real chance to see the light someday. It's probably a lot harder for old people to get out of a movement like that, as they would have to shed a believe they held for decades, but never impossible.
the isis person maybe even more deserves a second chance. look at where most of them came from. watching their innocent family members die because another country wants to take your land and resources. having zero chance to move up in society because there is no society after other countries destroyed yours. going through things people in america think only happen in hollywood. i hate to think of all the potential lost to groups like this. 😥
I am pretty sure the guy in his speach explicitly said, that the people who seem the least deserving of compassion and forgiveness are the ones that need it the most, and from the people they last deserve it from.
Not the same Once CAUSE damage across the land Please show me gutting of human
My life has been bathed in so many cultures that I never had the chance to develop an idea that anyone is better. I'm luckier than most.
LS the fact that you even do that shows more character than most people
So a culture where women are property and homosexuals are thrown off buildings is no better or worse than modern Europe?
Same
@@s0lid_sno0ks 1. I'm assuming you are talking about Islam; educate yourself further than the bias media you had received. 2. You are confusing societies with people. There are societies who's discrimination and misogyny is a bigger problem than in others; that doesn't mean the people that form that society are less valuable as humans.
@@akiras.3595 what makes a society? the people? or something else?
I’m from Charleston, SC and I remember that night very well, and it disgusts us to this day to see tourists taking selfies in front of the church where it happened. I hope it comforts people to know that after that incident, Charleston became stronger and more loving than ever to counter that hate.
I’m sorry you feel this way. If this makes you feel any different I doubt it will but ppl do the same thing at the 9/11 memorial in nyc
@@typicalnewyorker5993 yes I completely understand that. I personally would never take fun selfies in front of a tragic site.
@@aReallySwellGuy fully agree.
I had a teacher once who always liked to say, "When someone is hard, you just have to love them harder." There is no other way.
Hot
r/missconnections
This is very difficult
@@glorykiller998 Do you know what a psychopath is?
@@glorykiller998 Yes. They make up around 1% of the population. Cops are armed because of people with psychopathy?
Who and why would someone give this man's story a thumbs down? This man makes me want to be a better person.
Vernon Leemon for real
Probally some angry neo-nazis who has not yet re-connected with their innocense yet:) Real good story
Ummm white suprematists?
he is a jewish shill
@@deeplydisturbed7601 Innocence? Ignorance is a bliss.
When he mentioned, "privilege" as one of the "potholes" that could send a young person in the wrong direction it reminded me of a problem I noticed is easily overlooked by parents. It is easier to say "yes" than to say "no" to our children. We love them. We want to give them everything. We often forget that our children need to learn independence. We can't just give that to them. For that, we have to demand of them. We have to require that they earn privileges and trust. One must respect by showing respect. When we give them what they want because it feels good to give them gifts and let them stay up late we are indulging ourselves and neglecting their needs. We are human, and it is an easy mistake to make. Discipline should never be cruel. It must always be calmly given, but remember that its absence is neglect.
Well said
@@bobsmith93 Thank you.
"An enemy is someone whose story you haven't heard"
Dank Rich A bit like when you can’t see it but you know something is there.
I like that explanation.... Thank you.
I agree, read mein kampf
@@radioactivebeans8724 bruh
@JOSEPH DEJEU read his story
It's never too late to start doing the right thing.
some s.j.w.are communist.
@Nephilim of Kemet Communist or socialist? That's a very important distinction
You are late when you are dead.
When is the best time to plant a tree, Today.... There’s a metaphor that represents that statement well.
@@Karl_der_Genosse not really. They're both failed forms of government
Extremist movements always seem so distant until you see them in person, or notice connections to them in real life. Dylan Roof killed one of my mother’s best friends. Hearing him mention that shooting hit really hard.
I like to feel sympathy but from my experience there's more sympathy if you are white.... There's alot of double standards when POC are seen as less human to some
That's horrible, I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I hope you are doing better, though I imagine it's a tough road.
@@alexandrealferan7144 yup!!
@@alexandrealferan7144 I feel for you. I think that is how this man felt - as he said marginalized. You may have more in common with him then you know. I would recommend if you could to reach out to him.
i as an indian felt pain for those at the church but what i remember the most is that during the trials i recall someone forgave him and thats what the lesson i learned how can i not forgive someone for less. thank god for ppl like those
I’m so glad that he got out. Hopefully he can get more people out with by speaking about this.
amen
No he can't because those who developed this views for there selves can never understand this man Because we are nothing like him
@@keepingbloodpuretypenation5906 i hope one day you are no longer so lonely that you can only find community in a death cult that will start killing each other for lack of purity after they run out of other people to blame. You can only fix problems that are really plaguing you if you identify the actual causes. Until then you will just go in circles and the hate, anger, and helplessness will consume you. All of humanity can be your brothers and sisters and friends. To join with and help solve your loneliness and despair to alleviate your fear. Now you are limited to a small arbitrarily defined sliver of humanity and cutting yourself off from many who could or would help you in life. It seems like an awful way to live. I sincerely hope you start doing better and get the things you really need.
I’m so happy for this man, and I’m proud of him for sharing his story. To take such a dark path and be able to admit his mistakes, and do so publicly. THAT is a real man. And the security guard who forgave him, THAT is a real man.
Hatred is a disease, but diseases can be cured. And this guy found the cure.
Not all diseases can be cured..
@@SageVaughn I suppose you are right, are you trying to make a point?
Trump ended funding to his organization. No need to wonder why.
@gianni pischella Who are these leftist?
@gianni pischella So you're calling people fighting against a system of injustice and inequality leftist? That's what Tim Wise does so why is that wrong to you?
Your first mistake was trusting a guy who told you not to smoke weed
Hahaha... Got that right!
favorite comment
Daaaaaamn right son!
His first mistake was trusting the violent controlled opposition.
Are you guys really balancing the 420 likes? :D
"Bonding over chuck norris" The god of this world unites us all
?
No one chooses what race they are when they are born. How can that be held against them? I've never understood this concept. But, then again, I was raised in a mixed family.
At its core I beleive its a igorant fear of people in the "other" group. could be wrong tho
Its just fear. These people are scared and were not raised in loving and supporting families. Hate comes from fear. They want someone to connect with them. And they connect with others who have the same hate in their souls. And they connect with something horrible like prejudice activities. Its really sad.
You won't know what it truly feels like you experience it and luckily most of us don't. People always have a reason for the way they are,
@La ϟϟ It doesnt. So what does that have to do with anything? Whats your point?
@La ϟϟ You shouldnt. Thats being prejudice toward other races and thats how racism began. You should only like someone because of their personality. Racism was built off someone thinking their race was more superior. it wasnt really about not liking other races, it was about thinking their own race was the best and everyone should respect that race. You understand?
I feel sorry for racists. They're afraid of their world, unhappy, and alone. That's why they blame all their problems on people who don't look like them. It's easier for them to isolate than to embrace change and accept happiness. Hopefully love can convert them the way it did this man.
Amen sister
Yup. I was an overall bully in high school, so that consisted of racism, sexism, basically just picking on anybody for anything. And I know for a fact it came out of insecurity and unhappiness. Learned my lesson into adulthood.
@@CL-fs3kt You learned that vunerability is strenght. Thumbs up
"embrace change" = mass immigration and top down social engineering.
Sounds just like BLM
Mans came to speak at my school what a G taught me a lot about forgiving myself and admitting when I'm wrong
Lies
@@jeffreyhullumjr1286 hey f you
Patrick Holleran f u
@@jeffreyhullumjr1286 lol it aint like i have anything to prove. 211 likes on a yt comment lacks benefit, why would I lie?
@Amina I'm a student in California. He goes to speak at schools around the US.
I just told my parents about how ive been feeling for awhile now, and this video is the reason for my courage. hopefully i get better, ill come back in a few months if i remember and edit this to update it. Edit: I know its only been a month, but ever since I got my feelings out I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and that I can be more energetic, happy, and even procrastinate less and be more responsible with my surroundings. I 100% urge you to tell people how you feel even if its once in a while. its quite nice.
Please just know that you are on the right track and the majority of the planet has more in common with each other in terms of class than on racial lines. Class solidarity, friend. ✊️
Good luck with your journey.
You got this bro. Don't stop you will have obstacles but you will succeed
One of the best Ted Talks I’ve seen. I agree with a few Conservative ideals and a few Liberal ideals, but his message is universal to everybody, especially in our world today. Ignorance leads to fear and hatred of what we do not understand. I pray everybody, no matter your age, race, ethnicity, or gender, tries to talk to one another and realize that the people who say ridiculous statements or claims are the minority. The only way we can solve one of our worlds most serious problems is to communicate and try to learn from one another.
Well Said, Ben. I wholeheartedly agree!
"Hatred is born of ignorance, fear is it's father, and isolation is it's mother.'
Hared in born of ignorance, fear is it's father, and isolation is it's mother
Hared in born of ignorance, fear is it's father, and isolation is it's mother
This is by far my favourite Ted Talk, because first of all, this man is so corageous to talk about all of his past issues like that, to open up that was and agnowledge your mistakes. But even more so, showing people the wrong in hatred, and helping them, seeing his story and the man he has become. I just love it
Ajavisk I messed up my relationship with my girlfriend and her mother and they don't want me in their life. I'm lost and depressed. Just looking for a friend. As you've said in your comment how do I be a man and confront them and apologize for my actions?
@@historia9914 Like when Picciolini came across the security he was in fistfight years earlier, just go there and say what you have to say by your heart. Can't guarantee they will want you back in their lives but if you recognize you made a mistake and express that feeling, it will definitely ease your pain. I wish you the best.
Actually, my favorite is one of at least 3, where this African American man converts a national leader of the KKK to abandon those beliefs through the power of communication. I can share a link if necessary, that man is my hero.
Cmdr. Knisan late I know, but that sounds like the Reverend Wade Watts, who was frequently target by Oklahoma grand dragon, John Lee Clary and his klan. Whenever confronted by Clary, Rev. Watts would respond by cracking a joke and reminding Clary that God still loved him. Even after Clary had set fire to his Church, Rev Watts maintained compassion towards hims, and eventually John came to realize how wrong he had been. I’m pretty staunchly atheist, but I appreciate religious leaders like that and it inspires me to try to be more compassionate to even the people who have wronged me. It’s easy to love the people who always get it right, and perfectly understandable to want to reject people who hate us. Though I try not to, I still do that sometimes. But I think there is value in attempting to empathize with them. We all struggle in some way and we all experience fears and impulses that can lead people down a bad path. Sometimes you need to be the force that nudges someone towards a better one.
lol. I just came from that ted talk. They both went through different ways but their conclusion ended up the same: Hatred comes from ignorance. And the best way to divert that is not to push those people away, but to have communication, respect and compassion.
Empathy is the death of bias. As long as you can understand the other person is a human being, that's half of the way to becoming more understanding of their situation. The echo chamber created by movements deprives people of that very vital interaction with those that are different from them.
facts still remain. logic still holds. empathy gives another side/perspective to make their case - it doesn't guarantee that it will change the outcome. it may, but not necessarily.
I was filled with anger for a long time and was starting to have the same ideas. Recently I had a long and heart felt discussion with someone close. It really helped guide me to much better place.
What did you discuss?
@@ijm1261 Bro got laid
I'm 14 and I'm so happy that he got out, because if I got pulled into that situation I'm not even sure if I could have the emotional strength to break away like he did. He's extremely brave, and I applaud him for that.
@@HELLO7657 I don't get what you're implying..? Because bigotry for sure isn't caring about your future. Are you talking about the homophobia? The Nazism? The racism? The sexism? I don't know what you're trying to get at.
@@HELLO7657
@@HELLO7657 What does "the nation" mean to you? As I see it, Heritage, Culture, And loving the "glorious" past and all of that BS have a net negative effect on people, Because it all means nothing,It only exists in your mind.
@@HELLO7657 you realise they’re talking about far right nazism right?? Did u forget we’re talking about nazis 😭
@@HELLO7657 the only current threat to white lineage in America is immigration/diversity and there is absolutely no harm in that. I am so glad I was able to grow up in a multicultural environment.
Extremist groups and cults tend to most effectively target isolated or emotionally vulnerable people. It's sad and frustrating and aggravating.
frustrating and aggravating is the same word mate
@@ricky7426 not exactly
@@ricky7426 no
True, e.g. scientology sent out recruiters on 9 11 to prey on the vulnerable.
Democrats call people Victims and create boogey men to keep them in their sphere.
I admire this man. One of my closest friends has struggled her whole life with this ideology. It's gotten much worse since 2016 and extremely bad in the last couple months. She's not even talking to me now
Praying for whoever it is. God can reach and change stony hearts to flesh
Sending love to you and praying for your friend 🙏
She’s a real one, you should take a note or 2 from her
@@DWBI3735she did .. that’s why she is sharing her notes..
Based if your white you should support her
Your son must be so proud of you as am I, a perfect stranger. Keep telling your story; the world is prime for listening. Ty.
My ex went from voting to Bernie to going down the alt-right rabbit hole discovering nazis at the bottom. I don’t know what happened to him. I broke up with him when I couldn’t take it anymore. He was becoming a monster before my eyes.
same thing happened to me
An all too common occurrence these days. I went through something similar :(
@M ha ha edgy
I'm sorry that happened to you and your ex 💛
wow this terrifies me. how easily it happens. I can't even believe it.
You can hear the anxiety in his voice. He’s still effected by his past.. like PTSD or something.
its called guilt
He's still pissed off about the weed.
@@stefanavic6630 😂
Prob nervous
@@stefanavic6630 😭😭 so funny
Incredible story, this filled my heart with a lot of love. We are all one 💕💕💕💕
Thanks for your testimony and message about love overcoming hatred.
he's right, u hate what u dont understand. how many times have u guys punched a machine when it stops working rather than fixing it?
NOICE but why does it work after you punch it
Jack Edwards still doesnt work.
This is why I hate math >:|
I don't know, why do you have loli hentai as a profile picture?
Sir Butternuts IKR
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Mark Twain Get out there people - we all have more in common than you know.
I would agree but being a white catholic male I would not have a good time if i traveled to Iran or saudi arabia
Yeah but mass immigration is inducive to it
Mason Michalec ...depends on the person, i think. some embrace immigrants and learn from them while others fear and reject them. this TedX gives a good explanation of why some choose fear over embrace.
You learn once you traveled enough to sleep with one eye open and to distrust everybody.
@@LifePlusOne lol you would I'm a white Christian (born into the religion, now am agnostic) male from Iran but, idk about Saudi. As a female you'd have less of a fun time as you'd have to wear a hijab. They actually love visitors but hate western governments.
I grew up in foster care so I grew up many different cultures. One blessing from that life that I'm grateful for.
Great talk and it's great to see someone so bought into something was willing and able to question his views and then change. We all need to do that even if we think we have our act together and think we care and are right about our beliefs/thoughts. All of us, me included. Peace.
Damn, I knew that "i'm sorry" was going to be cliche but damn that got me crying a lil.
HenthaiSenphai same
HenthaiSenphai same
@Christian Extremist silence
Sammme dude
I love you!!!
This is one of the most Human TED talks. a personal story with certainly some dark corners and some dark spots. But it will remain to be a classical inspiring humanistic tale, because it's the story of a smart survivor looking for answers. it's an honest and seemingly simple effort to make a humanistic common sense in an increasingly polarized world.
I’m from Charleston and I’m in tears. My librarian was killed by Dylan Roof. He came from North Carolina... he almost shot at my sisters college. But he killed the most accepting people I had ever known. I remember having to print out my papers for abortion because I was in an abusive relationship and she saw my bloodied gums and she didn’t make me pay for the papers. She just smiled and said she’d pray for me to get through what I was going through. No judgement. She was Christian but she didn’t have any prejudice towards me. I would stay in the library as much as I could to avoid the abuse. She never did anything but smile and I could feel her warmth. I wish sometimes she was alive instead of me. It was such a loss. It breaks my heart to this day. It really does.
"Fear is it's father & isolation is it's mother" REALLY struck me there! There is A LOT of truth in that statement when he talks about Hate!
I am of Jewish decent and this was very hard for me to listen to and I have always had a frame of mind of hate towards natzis / neo natzis which seems understandable but I really don't like the burden of hate. I want to forgive them and I know that I should. Hearing this from someone who was one of them showed me how much I need to learn to forgive. I wanted to scream at him at the beginning of the talk. What neo Nazis have done is horrible but in my heart I am starting to forgive. He changed his frame of mind in the end and that showed me that they are still people and they can change.
OPen borders for Isreal
@@johnathons1789 Does the irony of calling people "NPCs" and then being a parrot for /pol/ slogans escape you?
Don't worry, this guy is just a LARP
Well you did kill Jesus lol
Danny Kelly did this person directly kill Jesus? No. Grow up. Also it was the romans headass not the Jews. Also it was hundreds of years ago
This is very true, I joined an extremist group because I needed to belong and when I joined i felt like i finally had a family. And I left it because I met a wonderful guy who is against racism, and he gave me love and understanding and im still with him.
Happy for you. Congratulations.
That is what makes you a rare byrd.. mass love.. S. H. A. R. P.
Lies!
@@keepingbloodpuretypenation5906 Can you explain what your username is?
@@nopenope4502 Do i need to? It says what it is, it describes what type of nationalist i am because there is also fake nationalism like civic nationalism, Lingistic nationalism, and cultural nationalism,
This is how redemption sounds like. Great speech brother 👊🏿🖤
I love this so fitting for these times. The best part of it was that he didn't need to mention religion at all. No, "I found god and got out." no, "I hated everyone else because they were a different religion than me." Just self reflection taking a step back from the person he was being upset about it and changing. Truly inspiring.
"The best part of it was that he didn't need to mention religion at all". I thought the best part was he realised what he was, changed, and told us about it.
You love this because your anti religion
@@keepingbloodpuretypenation5906get off this site
One thing I notice about this is when he transitions from recounting his history into beginning to explain the lessons to be learned, he seems to get more nervous. I suspect he still struggles with guilt and the idea of trying to inform people who may think poorly of his past probably is a point of anxiety. Could be reading it wrong, but it's very cool to see the courage here. Thank you for sharing, Christian.
Great comment. Experiences vary, but I've found guilt never goes away. This can be a very useful thing, to never forget. Regarding the matter of informing his audience, I can imagine it could be partly the feeling of being judged, while at the same time recognizing that there is righteous judgment vs. self-righteous condemnation. He has lived both experiences quite fully. He began his life self-righteously condemning others, then judged himself righteously, and now recognizes both toward him from others. Wisdom is the scar of experience. In the same way that he spoke of drawing those who needed compassion closer in order to help them see for themselves-- even as he felt the urge to show them directly-- he knows that it is the same with his audience. I would guess he meets a variety of reactions offstage post-talks, and I can see him exercising compassion in those situations as well, both toward them and toward himself. He has discovered and practices Love.
My brother died because of his hatred. I wish that he had met you.
Katherine Terria I'm sorry for your loss, Katherine.❤️
Andrea Douglas why
I'm sorry for your loss Katherine, I hope he found peace, and that you have as well.
I’m so sorry ❤️💜
Hurah wtf do you mean why
this was very good after watching Darryl Davis and his friendship with grand wizard of the KKK
okay
i'm Italian, too as are most of my friends, we all got endless anti-fascism and, of course, near-rabid catholicism talks from our grandparents and great grandparents didn't you? regardless, I am glad you came to an epiphany and walked away and that the right janitor was put in your path!
We went to High School, it's so good to see him doing well.
Man, I can't even speak... Mr. Holms, and Cooper,...my childhood just slapped me in the face.....
That’s amazing hahah. Yeah he is incredible, I’ve read his memoire. I bet it’s crazy seeing him like this.
The relevance of this speech at the moment hit me hard.
Pep Ciccarelli a WOP? WTH is that! Also your name is Ciccarelli.
@@MasteIsIllmatic without papers
@Pep Ciccarelli If the descendent of immigrants "went back to where they're from", the US economy would crumble overnight. Also, it's "should have" not "should of", you illiterate moron.
Listening to this post 2020 election, post January 6th riot on the Capitol... Brings a whole new urgency to the work.
The world needs more people like Christian. A touching story well told. He finds himself as he explores his hate and nurtures it to love. A remarkable man. Truly uplifting talk.
Isolation is radicalizations bestfriend. This is why we have to work hard to build relationships in our community outside of our comfort zone. What an inspiration for the ability to change. ❤️😭🙏🏽
Most people wouldn't go to such lengths to make amends. I applaud him.
Indeed. I read someone's post on this thread, criticizing him for using his violent past for profit. They suggested that he should volunteer instead. Maybe so. But if you think all of us and our value in the workplace, we are a walking toolbox of self-worth. Where is this man's true worth of benefit in society? Installing computers in a school, while a valued job to be sure, any number of people can do that. But how many people are out there who know what he knows, who have come out on the other side, are willing to share their story and be in a headspace to help others leave that world, too? To me, his knowledge is a commodity worth every cent for which he may get paid. Too much hatred is dismissed as acceptable.
It's people in things like Google, the UN, and AIPAC who should be making amends.
Beautiful change I’m literally in tears. Amazing I wish everyone was open to understanding others the world would be so much better
Thanks to this man for showing how people can change.
Falafel brings people together.
You know, that's just what vegans and flexitarians say to keep you docile!
Bacon has something to say about that.
Falafel is damn good with garlic sauce!
And Chuck Norris does too apparently
Döner macht schöner.
"I was too embarrassed to sell my music in front of my friends" This is how you know it ain't right. Reason why I stopped making a certain type of music myself. Good video
without too much detail, can I ask what kind it was you stopped producing?
@@drumraider certain street music.
It wasn't because you sucked at it?
@@thomaserickson568 I rolled on the floor with this because of what it made me think.
- I stopped making certain type of music myself because I feel ashamed - Was the type "bad music"? That's why you feel ashamed?
this guy must've felt amazing when he got this off of his chest. he lived one of the struggles few will know, and he changed. i wish i had seen this sooner - it's an amazing story
When we listen to people like you, the faith in humanity strengthens.
I am part of a multi-cultural club and it's such a wonderful feeling to build relationships with people of all different cultures, so happy for him that he saw the light.
In a small group multiculturalism can work, on a global scale one cannot deny the sheer toll that it's taking on civilized society. I want it to work as anyone does but humans are prone to conflict, envy will be one of the biggest problems we will face. A strong desire to envy of the more successful instead of being inspired by them.
Oy vey
@MrTrollsen Sure it does. Otherwise we would all be dead by now.
Wtf is a multi cultural club? Lmao
Multi-culturalism is cultural suicide.
Crazy on how this guy went from such a low.... to an incredible high !! Much respect
I love sharing this Ted talk around and similar ones to it, but also re-watching it occasionally to remind myself that the people with I argue with online are still people that can change
It seems that every 6 months or so this video will pop up in my feed. I've seen it 4 times i think. I'm always reminded of something important, and i always learn something new. Never assume you're totally dialed in.
Man I'm a muslim and I love this video so much, it's great how this guy is helping people understand each other
Internet Person If you're a Muslim your ideology is just as harmful as his past one. I hope you escape extremism soon ❤️
what does you being muslim have to do with this?
@@ricky7426 Because we're constantly hated on
@Internet Person Nazis are also constantly hated on; it's because the contents of their ideology are abhorrent. Do they actually deserve respect despite believing in terrible things? Muslims should do some self reflection and leave their religion if they want to avoid justified hate.
@@internetperson3228 by who? your own goverments? by us christians that havent forgoten the turks who masacured our people and oppresed those they enslaved? or do you just say that because you are told that everyone hates you?
How beautiful is this man to share his heartbreaking truth with such vulnerability?
When he said he left the group I thought "thats nice, but it hardly makes up for what he has done" but when I heard how he convinced others to leave extremist groups I felt he had redeemed himself
This talk gives me hope, even though it was given in 2017 and things took a left turn since then...as long as there are people like this in the world there is some hope.
I am touched. You can see that prejudice is rooted in many other issues. I love how he interacted with the very people he hated. Great talk!!!
ya, drop your prejudice against men now
@PCPofficial I literally live in a place where whites are rare af and its on the border and we our crime rate is pretty damn low.
It takes courage to bare your soul like this. My hat is off to Mr. Picciolini.
He simply figured out a good way to make money, giving talks like this for TED and schools. It's entirely self-serving.
nah. it's way easier to be anti-white on the mainstream media
@@MorusAlba1975Not really guys like these are hired by Jewish NGO's to stop the spread of rightwingers Notice how they say ignorance yet dont adress thr claims
This was SO heart warming!!! Empathy is an outstanding force that has changed so many lives for the better. Well done, and I give you best wishes for your journey to help more young people find the right path.
I’m so glad I found this video. I needed to hear why compassion was important because the pain and struggles of the last few years had robbed me of the reason and I was on autopilot looking for a reason to let compassion go. It is right to forgive if your wealthy in strength and love. People who are angry are literally killing themselves with stress. It is no way to live.
It is good that you can relate to him while as me as alt rightist can't understand or relate to him a little
What I'm extremely afraid of is that we're doing the exact opposite of this as a society, instead of understanding what is going so wrong in these people's lives that they're joining and forming such movements.. we're labeling them as monsters and isolating them more..
True, we don't give them a chance to say how they feel and why. The only people who should be attacked are these internet websites and channels that exploit the feelings of these people and leaders like trump should be shut down no matter what.
Some of them are monsters....
wow, I hope extremism in Islam could be understood d by the west the way this man understands it. it will solve a lot of problems. I'm a non-religious person living in a Muslim country and I see hope in this man thinking because extremists used to be people that really want to feel belonged and ideology comes in later
Islam is an extreme ideology. Islamic texts are full of hate and contain more anti-Semitism than Mein Kampf.
@@draoi99 I agree with you to some extent, yes there's hate speech in the Quran no question about it... but what I've seen is that a majority just don't follow it and don't act based on it, that's why I'm still alive although I speak my thoughts about Islam freely but maybe a bit careful on how I say them... this part most of the west don't know about, they put Arabs in the same package, but there are a lot of Arab atheists, non-religious, or people just don't give a damn about religious thoughts... extremist behavior, in my opinion, is a mental illness, and what ideology serves this illness will be adopted, that's why Isis has a good amount of European individuals involved... it's a mental illness... hope you can see my point
I can't even imagine how you feel in a Muslim country. One of my over-the-Internet friends live in predominantly Muslim part of Russia, as many young people (young mean - under 40) he is a non-believer, and that is bad enough already.
@@draoi99 Not really, most of them dont practice it in an extreme way. The source material is questionable your right, but so is the bibla and torah.
@@TotalRookie_LV it's not that wonderful feeling I know but again I'm not alone most of my friends are atheists and some are religious but in a very light way. but the thing is that the west as they have the power and can manipulate the political system, they don't put Arab free thinkers in power although they certainly can, they simply ignore them and deal with corrupted leaders whom they find their benefits through tempting their people with religion. that's why there's a bad image about Arabs around the world. few people can surpass that and dive into real Arabic culture which is for me so beautiful.
I'm struggling w my b addiction rn and I really need to hear this thanks dude! I just don't know what to do but this is the first thing I listen to this morning 🌄
This is one of my favourite Ted ever. I really felt him and it reminded me a phrase from a famous Italian children's book writer (Rodari): "in every mistake lies the possibility of a story." It takes courage to become better, and you had it. Thanks a lot 🧡
I really want to know if Christian reconnected with his family, he deserves it.
He said he never lost touch with them. He had his boys over every other weekend. They are 28 and 26 now i believe.
Im simultaneously furious with him for doing what he was doing but so proud and impressed that he is so honest and regretful
Chelsey Abbott some times you have to fall into darkest before you can see light again
fact is he was so blinded, he couldn’t even evaluate what he was doing. people capitalized on his fear and gave him something to blame it on. it’s easier to tackle your demons if you symbolize them in something real. they took all of his insecurities and problems and told him it was in people different than him. it’s very interesting
"Hatred is born of ignorance. Fear is its Father and isolation is its Mother. When we don't understand something we tend to be afraid of it." - BRILLIANT!
You are a beautiful person!! Don’t ever change!! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story!!! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕