From Mother Jones · Tim Murphy · · 1m 50s
Rhodesia Resurfaces on Right
White supremacist Rhodesia gains traction among right-wing figures and brands.
In brief
White supremacist Rhodesia gains traction among right-wing figures and brands. Right-wing figures and brands are embracing Rhodesia's white supremacist past as a symbol of anti-communism and racial hierarchy. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Rhodesia meme goes viral
Rep. Mike Collins posted a Blood Diamond meme referencing Rhodesia, sparking right-wing online discussion.
“We say Zimbabwe now, don’t we?”
Right-wing reaction
Online users called themselves 'Rhodesia now' and shared images of Rhodesian soldiers.
“We are all Rhodesia now”
Political connections
Collins has ties to white nationalists, including a Nazi-posting son-in-law.
“We’ve got a sitting congressman rhodesia-posting now boys”
Rhodesia on the right
Bo French, Texas Railroad Commission nominee, said 'We need to be Rhodesia'.
“We need to be Rhodesia”
Rhodesian playlist
Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted's former campaign staffer created a Spotify playlist of Rhodesian songs.
“We need to be Rhodesia”
Donald Trump Jr. and Rhodesia
Donald Trump Jr. promotes Rhodesian lifestyle apparel through Field Ethos.
“BE A MAN AMONG MEN”
Brandon Herrera's Rhodesia video
Brandon Herrera filmed himself in Rhodesian camouflage shooting a 'based' Rhodesian rifle.
“The side that was sympathetic with communism won, and now Zimbabwe doesn’t have food”
DHS and Rhodesia
DHS posted recruitment ads using Rhodesian slogans and imagery.
“BE A PATRIOT AMONG PATRIOTS”
Rhodesian flag as hate symbol
The Rhodesian flag is classified as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League.
“hate symbol”
Dylann Roof and Rhodesia
Dylann Roof posted his manifesto at 'The Last Rhodesian' website.
“We’ve got a sitting congressman rhodesia-posting now boys”
Musk's Rhodesia posts
Elon Musk shared posts about Rhodesia four times this year, warning of 'anarchotyranny' and 'race communism'.
“anarchotyranny, expropriation, and race communism”
Rhodesian military history
Rhodesia was a white supremacist state that existed from 1965 to 1980.
“The Rhodesian Bush War”
Rhodesian flag
The Rhodesian flag features green and white with two antelopes in the middle.
“green and white with two antelopes”
Rhodesian military
Rhodesian Army used brushstroke-patterned camouflage and had a mix of white and Black soldiers.
“half its soldiers were Black”
Rhodesia's legacy
Rhodesia's fall to Zimbabwe in 1980 is seen as a cautionary tale about choosing equality over merit.
“the suicidal danger of choosing equality over merit”
What happens next
Elon Musk warns that America is heading toward the same fate as Rhodesia and South Africa.
“Unfortunately, this is where America is headed”
What to remember
Right-wing figures and brands are embracing Rhodesia's white supremacist past as a symbol of anti-communism and racial hierarchy.
