Almost by definition, the white nationalist movement over the past 40 years has worked against the political establishment. But I had never believed Trump’s administration would have trouble distancing itself from the actual white nationalist movement. I do, however, think it is essential that we recognize that the white nationalist history embedded in American culture lends itself to white nationalist rallies like the one in Charlottesville. The president’s words legitimized the worst of our country, and now the white nationalist movement could be poised to grow. To challenge these messages, we need to acknowledge the continuity of white nationalist thought in American history, and the appeal it still holds.

Source: New York Times August 19, 2017 18:45 UTC