A Public Reference: Links about Daniel Gallant

This poem was read at the artivism Men Resisting Violence Against Women event in 2012. Today after receiving a lot of defamatory, degrading and threatening emails and posts in the cyber-sphere, in response to my latest blogs, I re-visit this poem and share with you. This poem reflects what is happening in the Black Metal and white supremacist online forums which utters threats and saying cruel things about me; which is nothing but expected.

I lived in that prison of self deceptive loathing far to long in my life. I understand their hatred well. I have been free from those shackles for many years. For me, this poem is important, but more importantly my motivation for posting this is to encourage others to not engage in bullying.

Now about this piece, it manifested during a social work class I was taking. A fellow classmate who was saying derogatory things about me when I walked into the room. He was going off about my critical analysis of structural issues relating to racism, social policy and social work. For whatever reason, unbeknownst to me, he obviously takes a major issue with who I am and the way I articulate myself about how social work and MCFD operates on delegated authority through racist social policy (Indian Act and CFCSA); nonetheless, people do as people do.

This situation sparked the inspiration for this poem.I often refer to gossip as being social warfare. Gossip hurts. I have participated in gossip in the past, and I have been hurt by gossip. I have defined what gossip is. Now I consciously do my utmost to not participate, nor to allow gossip to transpire around me. When people gossip in front of me at school, work or other situations I will either name it or disengage with discussions and people. My blog does not consist as gossip due to the literal meaning of the word “gossip”.

For me gossip is identified when a person engages in personal discussions about another person’s life, behaviour and situation in a manner that is not transparent. Often ‘behind their back’. I find, that gossipers usually have something to hide. It is my opinion that this is because the person partaking in gossip is displacing energy that assists in deflecting and displacing, while projecting, their own issues.

Gossip is often shielded by secrecy. Intentions of the gossiper are anything but compassionate.

Gossip can include truth. In situations, like the one that inspired this poem, the person (me) being gossiped about is under attack for not conforming to a particular social norm. Scapegoats are often people who do not fit into little social boxes.

The fellow classmate who was initiating gossip was scapegoating me in his social warfare. The week prior he was gossiping about other classmates to me; I merely said, in the sake of transparency:

“I wonder how that person would feel if he knew you were saying these things”

His response was,

“hahaha, I don’t care”

I knew in that moment, along with another instance that I had to separate myself from this individual. These social dynamics are toxic and utterly hurtful. I believe that gossip is about gaining social power over others who, for whatever reason, are perceived threats to the gossiper.

It is unfortunate that in a social work program with grown adults, over the age of 30, that these individuals feel the need to engage with this type of oppressive violent behaviour. Gossip is violent. Gossip is personal.

I understand that I have opened myself up to many things to be said about me both good and bad throughout the postings in this blog. I am ok with being verbally attacked by people whom are engaged with the social circles and people mentioned in the previous posts. I hope to participate in sharing and relating with others.

Hate in the North (Part V): White Lies

December 2, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

In addition to the conspiracy oriented backbone of the white supremacist worldview there is another likewise problematic misconception. This is the notion of racial purity and the links biology has to culture. Eugenics based science/theory, which is archaic in its development, and the belief that biological determinism is one of the crux of white supremacist idealism speaks to the lens of these pseudo-intellectual lenses. We as a collective society now understand that race and biology do not determine socialization. Socio-cultural dynamics which include intelligence, deviance and criminality are referenced throughout much of the right-wing doctrine as being linked directly to physiology and biology. This biologically determined belief structure is not only archaic, but de-bunked as a science. As indicated by UNBC professor and scholar Michelle Bouchard race is a social construct and what people typically refer to as ‘race’ does not actually exist genetically in a solidified and quantitative manner.

Loose connections are the root of white supremacist doctrine and propaganda. Extremists from the right wing agenda, like Arthur Topham, regurgitate distasteful, hurtful and violent messages, which are rooted in half-baked pseudo-intellectualism. These individuals are not tucked away into the corners of society and hidden away. They work in your schools, courtrooms, universities and construction sites. It is my goal to include, in this blog, insight into who some of these people are; and what they are up to. It is my hope to inform those from the extreme-far-right, that there is a way out of the misconceptions of their indoctrination; all while promoting compassion and solidarity amongst our collective human experience in order to decrease the amount of abuse and oppression that occurs in our country, our cities, our streets, our institutions, our homes and most importantly in our minds.

Hate in the North (Part IV): Perversion of Rights

December 2, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

There is a long history of right wing doctrine that is connected to theses legalese claims, from Doug Christie and the people that he is associated with; as well as the fanatical white supremacist clients he often provides legal council and representation too. He has a long history of representing people charged with hate crimes and who are members of, and affiliated with, right-wing-hate groups. Christie is closely affiliated with the pseudo-rights-group, Canadian Association for Free Expression (CAFÉ), which is connected to and run by well known white supremacists. These individuals are linked through social media and real life relationships to other white supremacists, hate groups, and extremist/terrorist organizations and/or movements.

White supremacist groups have a strong hold in Canada and utilize freedom of expression as a shield against prosecution for hate crimes and human rights charges. Groups such as Canadian Association for Free Expression (CAFÉ), which is run by Paul Fromm who encourages violent extremist groups and supports their cause. Although Fromm will deny that he is a white supremacist when facing legal battles, my experience proves to me alone that he is an utter liar.

Paul Fromm often works along with Canadian lawyer Doug Christie who utilizes the human rights as a defensive shield for violent extremists who face charges under Canadian hate law. Both Christie and Fromm supported Ernst Zundel’s high profile case while attempting to build a defense case, by perverting Canadian rights law in Canada. Christie has violated the Law Society of BC’s regulation and fined for professional misconduct in the past and paid violation fees and restitution of more than $20,000.

Now Arthur Topham is said to be accessing Paul Fromm and Doug Christie to defend him against recent criminal hate crime charges that stem from his online news reports. The Radical Press offers anti-Semitic editorials under the guise of providing the public with alternative news sources from the right-wing-agenda. From posting mainstream news reports of systemic issues to writing pro-Nazi propaganda, this online news source has very obvious intentions that support and incite hate speech.

The ‘Zionist’ conspiracy theories utilized by violent extremist groups link communism, world (high) economics, media control, political domination to the half-baked explanations of how and why the Jewish ‘Zionists’ allegedly are controlling the world and seeking to exterminate the apparent ‘white-race’. As described by white supremacist activist/sympathizer Doug Christie, opposition to Zionism should not be illegal, this legal position is definitively in support of the right-wing agenda. The background of this statement does not inform that the half-baked theory of Zionist conspiracy for world domination also incorporates the promotion of genocide, atrocity and harm to those who are implicated in the ‘Zionist conspiracy’; which includes ‘race-mixers’, ‘race-traitors’ and most citizens.

Hate in the North (Part III): Ideological Glance

December 2, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

From the 1930s to the 1980s the Social Credit party thrived in Canada. The party had a history of being openly anti-Semitic which was rationalized through half-baked conspiracy propaganda theories that suggested there is a worldwide economic regime led by ‘Zionists’. However, after a split within the Social Credit party the anti-Semitic position was curbed and members who promoted hateful rhetoric were shunned.One of the individuals who was ejected from the party was Doug Collins, a former journalist for several Canadian newspapers and the CBC up to the 1980s. Collins denounced Schindler’s list as the ‘swindler’s list’ propaganda.

One of the central literary pieces that surfaces within anti-Semitist circles is The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. This text is often utilized by a variety of anti-Semitic groups in order to establish claims that Zionists are Jewish supremacists who are out to control and harm other non-Jewish groups. The users of this book include Islamic and white supremacist groups, as well as many other fanatical groups that have religious and/or political ideological positions. This book is said to have first surfaced in Russia in the early 1900s. Nazi Germany referenced this book as a true text; as do many violent extremist groups today. The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion is continuously referred to by extremists to solidify their hate mongering against Jewish religion while targeting Jewish people for attack.

Social Credit activist James Keegstra, a high school teacher, and past mayor in Eckville, Alberta, was stripped of his teaching certificate and convicted under Canadian criminal law for promoting hate. He was teaching his social studies class that the Holocaust was a fraud. Keegstra’s teachings are shared by others who promote that the mainstream reports of the Holocaust are not historically correct; which of course is a ridiculous and obnoxious claim. These fictional accounts of revisionism include the likes of Ernst Zundel, who spent a total of seven years in prison in three separate countries for his commitment to public Holocaust denial.

Zundel’s rhetoric is shared by right-wing-extremist-groups such as the group formerly known as The World Church of The Creator (W.C.O.T.C.), now called the Creativity Movement. The founder of the W.C.O.T.C. Ben Klassen, originally from Saskatchewan, developed a rationalization which allegedly ‘proved’ that the Holocaust did not happen the way history dictates. It is referred to as the Holo-Hoax. The very groups that teach and promote these deceptive allegations typically harbor racist ideologies, believe in archaic biological deterministic science, eugenics based perspectives and promote violent extremism, whether direct or indirect in method. The W.C.O.T.C. has been linked and affiliated with promotion of hate, assaults, murders, terrorist cells, and suicidal ideation. Promoting suicide, murder and genocide in Canada is a crime, period. The headquarters for this church was later established in the U.S.A. The latest leader a former lawyer in Illinois is now in prison.

Hate in the North (Part II): Arthur Topham

December 1, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

Quesnel BC’s own white supremacist Arthur Topham:

http://www.radicalpress.com/blog/

News articles relating to Arthur Topham:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/06/b-c-man-charged-with-promoting-hatred-against-jews-on-website/

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/06/bc-blogger-charged-with-hate-crime-for-promoting-hatred-against-jews

http://anti-racistcanada.blogspot.ca/2012/05/arthur-topham-arrested.html

This local arrest is a very important event. It provides the north with the opportunity to say that we will not tolerate violent extremism in northern BC. No assaults, whether verbal or physical should be encouraged or even permitted. Since I have moved to Prince George four years ago, I have linked the promotion of hate, youth recruitment into hate groups, racist vandalism, and violent extremism that includes explosives/bombs. This is an opportunity for Prince George and the northern region to state the claim that violent extremism is not welcome in our communities.

The online white supremacist chatter is currently running wild. Quesnel, BC, is now on the map as a white supremacist location. Arthur Topham is reported to have been arrested and his house searched by RCMP while hate crimes charges have reportedly been laid. White supremacist websites and discussion forums are expressing support and outrage about Topham’s arrest. Already the defense of free speech is being advocated by Paul Fromm and of course lawyer Doug Christie. This is not the first time Arthur Topham has been the center of online white supremacist discourse. In 2009, Human Rights complaints were lodged against him. The complaints were dismissed due to complex legal issues. However, Topham has now been caught with his ‘cyber-pants down’. It is claimed by Paul Fromm that Doug Christie will be representing Arthur Topham.

If asked, most people would not think that violent extremism is present in the northern part of British Columbia. However, with the actions of several racist-right-wing skinheads and white supremacists the north is seemingly becoming plagued by extremists, just like anywhere else in Canada. (http://scholarsfromtheunderground.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/white-supremacist-action-in-prince-george-bc-a-request-for-public-safety/)

Hate in the North (Part I): AVE Provides Hope

December 1, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

In the last couple of years there has been a spike in overt violent right wing extremist attacks in western Canada. These crimes are being committed by white supremacists. Both Alberta and BC have been plagued by bombings, weapons caches, assaults, rapes and murders, which are all connected to white supremacist individuals/groups. This recent spike in extremist action in the western Canada is concerning for all of us; whether we are impacted directly or not by these horrific crimes.

As our society progresses and develops the promotion of multi-culturalism and diversity, we are also facing increasing number of threats from the extreme right. It is important to bring attention to these alarming facts. It is also important to remember that there is hope and that social change is possible. Society can change and so can people. However, all to often it proven that the impacts of hate crimes last lifetimes. In my case, I have changed but the crimes I committed in the past have left people wounded and traumatized. That is something that can never be changed or taken back. However, I can participate in drawing attention to patterns that others may not have insights into about the extreme right that contribute to creating more healing spaces for both the victims and the abusers.

I am an example of hope, diversity and compassion that can be seen through my work as an anti-racist activist, and a re-formed violent right wing extremist. As a right-wing-skinhead who has committed hundreds of assaults during my time in the white supremacist movement, I believe that my experiences can benefit society by offering insight into hate crimes, and the patterns that surround these violent acts. Over ten years ago I was awakened to a path of redemption and social change through epiphanies at the height of my extremist action.

As an author for http://www.lifeafterhate.org (LAH), which is one of the many projects launched by through the Against Violent Extremist (AVE) network, I am not only engaged in activism and writing in order to get my story out there, but to also serve as an insightful source of education to employ others to identify and prevent hate crimes and extremist action. My involvement with AVE and LAH is motivated in compassionate solidarity. The direction of AVE/LAH is an ideological and pragmatic position that I believe will result into a wider and deeper understanding through collective insight for our global community. The members of these organizations are made up of former extremists, victims/survivors, scholars/researchers, and grass roots activists who believe in collectivity. Here is the summary taken from the AVE website:

“The Against Violent Extremism (AVE) Network is a unique and powerful new global force in the ongoing struggle to tackle violent extremism. Former violent extremists (‘formers’) and survivors of violent extremism are empowered to work together to push back extremist narratives and prevent the recruitment of ‘at risk’ youths.

AVE uses technology to connect, exchange, disseminate and influence all forms of violent extremism (from far right and far left to al-Qaeda-linked and inspired and gangs). It leverages the lessons, experiences and networks of individuals who have dealt first-hand with extremism. Through the website and YouTube channel, members can stay in touch, share ideas, collaborate, find investment and partners, and project their messages to wider audiences.

AVE was seeded and launched by Google Ideas at the Summit Against Violent Extremism in Dublin in 2011. It is managed by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and is a unique private sector partnership between ISD, Google Ideas, the Gen Next Foundation and Rehab Studio.” (www.againstviolentextremism.org)

As I am completing my Master’s degree in Social Work at UNBC and my ten years of experience as an anti-racist activist, instructor, researcher, counselor, and advocate I am prepared to offer all I can in every forum possible to the direction of the AVE.

I am in the first year of having my writing published, both auto-biographic creative non-fiction and poetry. I hope to inform and inspire social change and social justice. I often speak to students, professionals and law enforcement about the realities of the threat of violent extremism in western Canada, while offering support and networking that fosters healing for those who have suffered due to violent extremist actions.

In the early days of my positive life transformation I was challenged by a counselor I was seeing to apply to social work school in order to challenge my belief structure. Since there are very limited resources and services available to former members of violent extremist groups, which includes gangs, I believe that fostering change through education will nurture the direction for clearing the path for those who come to their own realization that violent extremism only ends in suffering, for everyone involved, and want to evoke true change and liberation in their own lives.

God is Dead: A poem about sex trade workers in the lower east-side: East Vancouver

November 27, 2012 by Daniel Gallant

In the fall of 2012, I read this poem I wrote at UNBC event for Men Resisting Violence Against Women and at the Weaving Words Aboriginal Storytelling Festival.

This piece was published by the Simon Fraser University literary journal, The West Coast Line no. 72, 2012.

At the Men Resisting Violence even I read along with two poets Ken Belford and Robb Budde, and Novelist Josh Massey.

At this storytelling festival I read along with Garry Gottfriedson and Richard Van Camp, this was an honour for me. To have these individuals allow me the space to tell a few short stories alongside them establishes their praxis on creating healing spaces for all people. Why is a a former right-wing-extremist allowed space to read at an aboriginal storytelling festival, it is because it is about healing and good medicine.

Dr. Si Transkan, my thesis supervisor and self proclaimed cranky-bitch-feminist, who organized the 12 week ARTivism event at UNBC to bring attention, awareness to violence against women and to bring healing spaces into a patriarchal and paternal academic space.

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