Matt Stone (L) and Trey Parker (R), creators of TV show “South Park”
Headline Topic
South Park
Total Mentions: 12.3K | Individual Accounts: 9.7K | Total Retweets: 11.7K Total Impressions: 101.28K | Total Reach (estimate):~189.83K
A post on Tumblr ignited conversation on social media this week about the role "South Park" plays in spreading antisemitism, racism, and sexism. The Tumblr post accused the satirical animated television show created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker of passing antisemitism, racism, transphobia, and many other forms of hate as a joke. This post quickly went viral and spread onto other social media platforms. Many users agreed with the sentiment of the post, while others pushed back, arguing that the show’s jokes are misunderstood and that the show supports marginalized communities and is attempting to raise awareness.
The latest season of “South Park” premiered on February 8 with an episode titled “Cupid Ye” which mocked Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and his antisemitism, as well as the antisemitic trope that Jews control Hollywood.
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Weekly Overview
For All Topics Regarding Antisemitism
Most Mentioned
Phrases & Hashtags
Over the Past Week
*The bigger the phrase, the more total mentions it had in the time period
Glossary
“#Israel,” “#freepalestine,” “Israeli soldier brutally,” “human rights,” “Israeli forces,” “Apartheid State,” “ethnic cleansing,” “international community” - Related to discussion of Israel-Palestine.
“Arnold Schwarzenegger,” “hate nazis,” “successful movement based on hate” - See below.
“Germany in the ‘30s” - Related to Spielberg’s comments as well as a comparison by British sports commentator Gary Lineker of the U.K.’s immigration policy to Nazi Germany.
Trending Topics
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Total Mentions: 11.69K | Individual Accounts: 10.07K | Total Retweets: 7K Total Impressions: 111.66M | Total Reach (estimate): ~13.34M
Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a 12-minute video earlier this week on his YouTube channel addressed to antisemites about the dangers of hate. He described his recent visit to Auschwitz and the powerful impact of seeing the physical remnants of those who had been killed. The former California governor urged people to “choose strength, choose life” and personal accountability over hate and scapegoating. Schwarzenegger then appeared at Stockton University where he delivered a similar speech on “Addressing Hate and Antisemitism.”
Countless people online applauded Schwarzenegger for his courage, passion, and for using his platform to confront hate and said they were inspired by his statements.
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Reports
ADL Report on white supremacist propaganda
The number of white supremacist propaganda incidents reached an all-time high last year, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League. White supremacist propaganda includes the distribution of racist, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQ+ flyers, stickers, banners, graffiti, posters, and laser projections. Data from the ADL’s Center on Extremism shows a 38% increase in incidents from the previous year, with 6,751 incidents in 2022. The significant findings of the report include the following:
A 142% increase in antisemitic propaganda, rising to 852 incidents in 2022.
White supremacist propaganda was reported in every U.S. state except Hawaii, with the highest levels of activity in Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Michigan.
At least 50 different white supremacist groups distributed propaganda, but three of them - Patriot Front, Goyim Defense League (GDL), and White Lives Matter (WLM) - were responsible for 93% of the activity.
Patriot Front was responsible for the most propaganda incidents (80%), as has been the case since 2019, while the GDL accounted for most antisemitic propaganda (58%). Last year’s massive uptick in antisemitic propaganda was largely driven by GDL’s growth and increased activity.
White supremacist groups increasingly relied on banners to spread their message last year. The ADL recorded at least 252 banner drops this past year, a 38% increase from 2021.
