Breaking The Chains Of Judgement

In a world increasingly divided by labels, it is essential to step back and remember that individuals are not defined by their worst moments. Branding someone as a "Nazi," "racist," or other hateful terms without understanding the broader context does little to solve complex issues and can deepen divisions in society.

People make mistakes, are misled, and can be influenced by factors beyond their control. It is crucial for society to see such involvement as part of a learning process, a life lesson and not a life sentence with a life-defining stigma. This notion becomes particularly urgent when dealing with vulnerable individuals, especially minors, whose actions may stem from manipulation and exploitation.

One case that illustrates this point is that of Rhianan Rudd, the youngest girl ever charged with terrorism offences in the UK. Rhianan was just 15 when she found herself engulfed in the dangerous world of right-wing extremism, absorbing racist and antisemitic beliefs like a sponge. Her story is tragic, ending in her death by suicide in a children's home in 2022. But it’s also a stark reminder of the dangers of labelling people as "monsters" without seeing the underlying issues that contribute to their behaviour.

Rhianan’s mother, Emily Carter, described her as a "lovely girl" who loved horses but became influenced by right-wing extremists online and in her personal life. This influence, particularly from Christopher Cook, an American neo-Nazi, and even the then-partner of Rhianan's mother, shows how outside forces groomed and manipulated her. She was a child, not inherently evil or monstrous, but rather an impressionable individual who fixated on dangerous ideas presented to her during a vulnerable time..

Rhianan’s case reveals difficulties within our society, how do we deal with people who have committed crimes and been part of an organisation or network which advocates violence or terrorism?

Looking at this Rhianan’s story is complex, during her involvement she carved a swastika in her head and then tried to get rid of it. This is not the action of an ERW (extreme right-wing) activist, but someone in need of desperate help and shows that in some cases we need to see people as victims of manipulation and grooming, because this is what they are, pawns in a deadly game, with victims on all sides.

Branding people as racists, Nazis, extremists or even terrorists, can simply set the stage for further isolation and hardship, and this just lays the foundation of more manipulation, as vulnerable individuals get sucked up into an efficient network of activists and organisations whose sole being is the implmentation of white supremacy.

Seeking solutions to reduce extremism, we need to take into account all the complexities that shape the decisions vulnerable people may make, because only then can we find solutions that reduces extremism and protects vulnerable people.

While accountability for harmful actions is crucial and people must go before the courts of this land, it is also important to recognise the humanity of individuals who become involved in extremist ideologies and seek to understand all the reasons people have for getting to this extremely dangerous position.

Society in some cases needs to take a compassionate approach, seeing such engagement as potentially part of a person’s growth or as a tragic mistake rather than the thing that defines their entire identity, and even the rest of their life. Without such an approach, we risk alienating people further, denying them the chance for rehabilitation and redemption and ultimately, we could as a society be making people more committed and dangerous,

This is where organisations like Exit Hate Trust stand out and step in, providing crucial support for individuals trying to escape the pull of extremist ideologies. Exit Hate Trust understands that labelling someone as a "Nazi" or "racist" rarely addresses the root causes of their involvement in such movements. Instead, the Trust focuses on offering holistic support to help individuals break away from these harmful influences and rebuild their lives away from hate.

By focusing on rehabilitation, empathy, and understanding, Exit exemplifies how society can offer people second chances rather than locking them into a cycle of shame and punishment.

Rather than seeing someone’s involvement with hate or violence as a fixed identity, Exit Hate Trust encourages a perspective that recognises people as individuals, shaped by unique circumstances. Their involvement in hate is often the result of grooming, misinformation, or emotional turmoil rather than a reflection of their core character and values.

What Exit understands is that pain is easily transferred into Hate.

But by offering lived experience mentoring, education, and community support, individuals can walk away from harmful ideologies and re-enter society as a whole, healed people

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Rhianna’s case is just one example of someone used by the ERW. She was manipulated, exploited and sexually abused by people who say they are defenders of society, protectors of children, women and Western civilisation. But are they? I don't think so.

ALL Extremism Is Wrong, it's that simple. People get hurt - the victims of hate, those involved, their families and the communities people live in and we need to look for long-term answers, which understand why people become involved in extremism, how this happens and seek to reduce this by building buffers to either stop people getting involved in extremism in the first place or so people don't become deeper entrenched in views abhorrent to most of us.

Rhianna’s case should serve as a reminder to us all: the importance of viewing people as individuals, not as the labels that are easily attached, but can stick for a lifetime and destroy people's lives, long after they have moved on and tried to make amends.

Looking for answers and solutions to extremism, one thing we must remember is that if we continue to treat those who fall into extremism as irredeemable monsters, we shut the door to redemption, growth, understanding, and healing,

thus potentially creating a monster?

And so as I finish this piece let me leave you with this to ponder.

If we do not come together, work in partnership and seek to reduce extremism away from labels using education, compassion and understanding, then what might happen is this - “You have created a monster, and it will destroy you!” *

*Taken from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Author: An Exit Hate Volunteer.