The media needs to stop calling them militias

[Trumpocalypse]

They are terrorist gangs.

[matt819]

1. Or just terrorists, or

Terrorist cells

American terrorists

White terrorists

Christian terrorists

[pat_k]

2. Yes. We need to change language (personally, I prefer White Terrorists)

American or Domestic Terrorist doesn't capture the fact these are White Power/Supremacists/Extremists. I think Christian Terrorists might work, but are they all Christians? (We know they are all White.)

[LizBeth]

5. +1

[unblock]

3. Terror cells. Exactly.

Militia is a neutral if not supportive term.

[RockRaven]

4. Terrorist cells.

White terrorist cells.

Fascist terrorist cells.

Incels in cells.

[pat_k]

7. White Terrorist cells gets my vote.

[pat_k]

14. Letters to editors of newspapers and networks needed -- LOTS of letters

One way to lobby for a change in language is in letters to the editor. (Or to bring attention on any subject.)

Personally, I''ll be lobbying to change White Supremacists, White Extremists, White Power movement, Militias, etc. to "White Terrorists." As noted in other posts on the thread, I think this is more accurate and a simpler transition from current language. YMMV. There are other labels suggested on this thread, like Right-Wing Terrorists, you might prefer. I like including "White" because I think this ultimately boils down to racism -- not just "right-wing" beliefs.

In addition to writing to papers/news local to your state/city/region, below are some nationals and progressive-friendly magazines.

I've also included cable and network news contacts.

When you write, cite a recent article (articles) that have instances of the objectionable term. Make a short case for a new, more meaningful and accurate, label. Note the the problematic language is used everywhere.

Best to keep it under 200 words, whether or not the outlet provides this as a guideline.

National Newspapers

--------------------------
WaPo
Write to [e-mail] or to: Letters to the Editor, The Washington Post, 1301 K Street NW, Washington DC 20071.

Guidelines: [F]ewer than 200 words and take as their starting point an article or other item appearing in The Post.

------------------
NYTimes
[e-mail]

Guidelines: Letters should be exclusive to The New York Times or The International New York Times. We do not publish open letters or third-party letters. -- That is, customize for NYTimes citing a few articles with the objectionable term and noting that the term is pervasive.

---------------------
USA Today
[e-mail] -- also need to be under 200 words (fewer the better).

Progressive Magazines

-------------------
The Atlantic
[e-mail]

----------------
Mother Jones
[e-mail]
or send snail mail to Backtalk, Mother Jones, P.O. Box 584, San Francisco, CA 94104-0584.

--------------
The American Prospect
David Dayen, Executive Editor, [e-mail]

The American Prospect
1225 I Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005
[phone]
[e-mail]

-----------------
Harper's
Harper’s Magazine
666 Broadway, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10012
212-420-5720

To email us about articles in the magazine:
[e-mail]

-------------
The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/letters-editor-0/

--------------
Washington Monthly
1200 18th Street NW
Suite 330
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

Cable News and other network news

CNN
https://www.cnn.com/feedback

MSNBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112

ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/contact
List of contacts for specific shows
https://abcnews.go.com/contact

NBC News
Assistant Managing Editor for Politics
Gregg Birnbaum / [e-mail]

Assistant Managing Editor for News
Tim Perone / [e-mail]

CBS News
Different contacts for evening weekday and weekend news. See https://www.cbsnews.com/news/contact-information-01-08-1998/

[littlemissmartypants]

27. If you were to create a unique post for this information then I and others so inclined,

could bookmark it for future reference. I also suggest cross posting it to the Activists Group
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1011

Awesome post, thanks.

❤ lmsp

[pat_k]

33. Do you recommend posting with a message . . .

. . to lobby for change in language, or as a general "contacts" list without specific issue?

[littlemissmartypants]

35. They're not mutually exclusive. You can make both points and not lose

any effectiveness. ❤ lmsp

[LizBeth]

6. white supremacist, KKK, Nazi thugs extreme RW terrorists. Nothing about them are militia.

I have posted on at least 20-25 threads on FB. Change the language.

[pat_k]

8. I don't think White Supremacists is strong enough.

White Supremists or Extremists or White Power movement does not capture the fact that their goal is to terrorize POC and anti-racists. Their veiled, and not so veiled, threats to "eliminate" POC and "take back" the country for it's "rightful" white populous are terroristic threats.

To me, they are White Terrorists, plain and simple.

Also, the transition from "White Supremacists" to "White Terrorists" seems the most straightforward.

[LizBeth]

9. I am good with that.

[pat_k]

16. Help make it happen -- letters to editors. Link to contacts

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[LizBeth]

30. Well pat, I am impressed. I was hitting every site on my Fb, now I will do as you suggest.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. Exactly. Illegal militias. Every one of the fifty states and Wash. DC have outlawed militias, for

good reason as we can see.

[Hassler]

11. If these armed vigilantes were black, they'd be labeled thugs

They are right wing terrorists.

[pat_k]

18. Let's push for a change in language

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Conservative terrorists or Right-Wing terrorists, to be more precise. . . . nt

[pat_k]

20. Letters to editors

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Agreed!

I heard the AG say state charges are being brought. One of the charges was being in a gang.
So, the group meets their state's definition of a gang. In Michigan, they are a terrorist gang.

[pat_k]

21. Help push for change in language

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[Greybnk48]

15. Terrorist Vigilantes. That's what they are! N/t

[pat_k]

22. Help push for new language

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[Brother Mythos]

17. I believe Right-wing Terrorists is how these illegal groups should be described by the media.

They are, after all, "militias" by traditional definition. And, based upon our country's own history, the patriots of the Battles of Lexington and Concord were "militiamen." Therefore, attempting to change the definition of what a "militia" is has uncomfortable consequences.

I also agree that these people are "White Supremacists," "White Terrorists," and "White Supremacist Terrorists."

However, I believe that labeling them instead as "Right-wing Terrorists" would be the most effective way of purging them from our society. My reasoning is that while their being "White Supremacists" and "Terrorists" is certainly true, many of their vast redneck brethren become defensive, and sympathetic to them simply because of the "White" parts of those labels.

But, if instead, we and the media were to label them "Right-wing Terrorists," the redneck, knee-jerk response to defend the "White" parts of the alternate labels would be far less likely to be triggered. In addition, it would place the right-wingers, and especially the far right-wingers, in the position of either having to defend these "militias," or renounce them. And, I can't see where defending them would be very popular. As, after all, isn't "populism" what these right-wingers and their leaders are really all about?

[pat_k]

23. Good. However. . .

Personally, I''ll be lobbying to change White Supremacists, White Extremists, White Power movement, Militias, etc. to "White Terrorists." As noted in other posts on the thread, I think this is more accurate and a simpler transition from current language. While Right-Wing Terrorist is a vast improvement, I prefer to see White included because I think this ultimately boils down to racism -- not just "right-wing" beliefs.

If you want to lobby news media to change their language (to whatever you think is best), here's a list of contacts:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[lagomorph777]

19. Terror cells.

[pat_k]

25. Lobby media for the term you think we need to use

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214248809#post14

[Sympthsical]

24. No, they're insurrectionists, rebels, traitors

We should use proper words.

[Mr.Bill]

26. Republicans. n/t

[fierywoman]

28. Domestic Terrorists.

[Doreen]

29. Do not forget to add HOME GROWN.

Doing so will leave the chance for some to claim they are foriegn out.

[soldierant]

31. I don't care what we call them

as long as it enables us to deal with them the way Greece is finally starting to deal with Golden Dawn.
https://thenib.com/golden-sunset/

[flibbitygiblets]

32. If their skin wasn't white, the "Terrorist" label would have been automatic. So let's fix that!

[warmfeet]

34. Treasonous murder gangs.

Their intent is to kill and to take down the United States government. They are relics from the civil war and from nazi germany. Deal with them now, there may not be a later.

[Johnny2X2X]

36. Terror Cell

That’s what they are.

[niyad]

37. I have been calling them home-grown white boy terrorists for many years.

[Politicub]

38. My vote is for terror cell

And call the individuals terrorists.

[Liberty Belle]

39. Vigilante terrorists. Or terrorist vigilantes.

We don't know if they are all Christian, or even all white, though they are racists.