I feel like the Latin translation for a white supremacist/Christofascist slogan is not the key piece of information that we need in the summary here, CNN.
Wasn't there just news about Donald Jr. posing with a rifle that has a Crusader Cross design on it? And here's a terrorist attack linked to crusader graffiti?
I just read the story and there is no discussion in it of the wider use of the phrase in white supremacist communities, just that it popped up in the suspect's own social media posts.
They're not willing to link him to anyone but himself. A lone wolf acting in a vacuum.
They're not willing to link him to anyone but himself. A lone wolf acting in a vacuum.
Can't make this up.
"'Deus Vult' is Latin for 'God wills it,' according to Merriam-Webster."
CNN is going with "The dictionary defines..." and not looking at who else is using the phrase, and how, and where, and why.
"'Deus Vult' is Latin for 'God wills it,' according to Merriam-Webster."
CNN is going with "The dictionary defines..." and not looking at who else is using the phrase, and how, and where, and why.
Hi, thanks to everyone who is telling me that the well-known Chi Rho symbol is the well-known Chi Rho symbol standing for the name of Christ.
I'm not asking people to explain things. The literal translation of things is super not what we're talking about.
Is that not clear?
I'm not asking people to explain things. The literal translation of things is super not what we're talking about.
Is that not clear?
This is not a mystery I'm trying to unravel. Or rather it is, but the mystery is why CNN is looking these things up in the dictionary and not tying it to any other reporting that has been done on people using this phrase in threatening contexts.
Just this past fall "deus vult" was in the news because it was being pulled from the stock phrases used by factions in a pseudohistorical game about the crusades BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A WATCHWORD FOR MODERN-DAY NAZIS. The news knows!
And while I don't expect every journalist to know every aspect of everything being covered in the news... checking out graffiti left at a crime scene for ideological connections seems pretty basic? It's been in the news so they would definitely find the connection.
I'm railing at CNN and not the reporter in particular because this could be editorial, wtih reasoning like any particular personal meaning to the arsonist or connection to other people who use the phrase was conjecture.
But it is a failure, and one we can't afford.
But it is a failure, and one we can't afford.
Okay, to people who are asking: as far as I know as a lapsed Catholic, the literal meaning of the symbols flanking it are Mary and Jesus. I don't personally know if they hold deeper/different meanings to the Catholic alt-right.
But I don't want to get deep into the weeds about what the symbols are supposed to literally stand for and lose sight of:
1. Christian imagery used in an attack on Planned Parenthood.
2. The specific phrase being associated with white supremacist Christian extremists.
1. Christian imagery used in an attack on Planned Parenthood.
2. The specific phrase being associated with white supremacist Christian extremists.
...honestly, the more I think about it, the more I think someone at CNN didn't want to deal with the implications that would arise from identifying the two glyphs as common Catholic symbols and also tying the phrase to white supremacists.
I think cowardice and complicity.
I think cowardice and complicity.
