Conversations about white supremacy in America today typically center on right-wing media and incendiary politicians who blast out racist dog whistles.
But hate doesn’t need demagogues to get mainstreamed; it has also found an outlet at elite universities.
On June 29, Stanford University hosted a delegation from the Azov Brigade, a neo-Nazi formation in the Ukrainian National Guard. The panel, during which Azov’s neo-Nazi insignia was projected onto the wall, was attended by noted political scientist Francis Fukuyama, who posed for a photograph with the delegation.
A famous philosopher Francis Fukuyama @FukuyamaFrancis joined us in Stanford. Mr. Fukuyama expressed gratitude to Azov @azov_media Sergeant Arseniy Fedosyuk for his service and heroism during Mariupol campaign and uttered support to Ukraine on our sure way to victory. pic.twitter.com/dpqGjI27v8
— Kateryna Prokopenko (@KatProkopenkoUa) June 30, 2023
This event — and the disturbing lack of reaction from Jewish organizations — showcases the limits of America’s commitment to combating white supremacy.
Call it the Ukraine exception.
Before Russia’s 2022 invasion, nearly every Western institution raised alarms about Azov. Putin’s brazen attack on Ukraine led to a much deserved outpouring of support for the country. Unfortunately, it also led to suppression of those who criticize the dark side of Kyiv: its reliance on far-right military elements, the most prominent example of which is Azov.
Even amid today’s surge of antisemitism globally, Azov has become the Teflon Neo-Nazis: freedom fighters who can do no wrong, celebrated across America, including at prestigious institutions like Stanford.
”I wonder if this guy is secretly receiving funding from Russia. This is exactly the kind of article the SVR (Russian foreign intelligence agency) would want written. I don’t like that a small part of the AFU uses the symbol or has a white-supremacist past, but that’s no reason to stop supporting Ukraine. Russia’s territorial ambitions and lust for war crimes must be obliterated. Once there is peace, there will be plenty of time to deal with whatever far-right sentiment remains. Personally, I think the journey to EU and NATO membership will do much to moderate those people.”