259

From weird break dancing dance moves at the Olympics to weird hand gestures whilst smirking, Australians sure know how to create social media storms

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] chocrates@piefed.world 17 points 1 week ago

That weird hand gesture is the white power symbol

[-] bobbyfiend@retrolemmy.com 1 points 3 days ago

I don't think I was ever really a part of either of these trends, but my memory is that it started out as the game, then some white supremacists started to use it as their symbol. My hope is that the second association has broken down a bit for most people; I haven't seen any pics on social media etc. of white supremacists doing this for a couple of years, so maybe the kids can have their game back.

[-] Deme@sopuli.xyz 46 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I have not heard of that association for a long time. Mostly it's just a lmaooo gotem -type of thing. For proof, read the other comments here.

But sure, do give the nazis more ammo by giving ownership of such symbols to them.

Edit: I recommend you read the parts about "the circle" game and White power symbol on this Wikipedia article.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 4 points 1 week ago

We're taking it back!

[-] olafurp@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

The wiki explains really well how it's not a white power symbol. It requires fingers pointing up and even in that case it's ambiguous.

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago

Even if you interpret it that way it's the wrong way up then. Your fingers have to point up to be a white power symbol

[-] Deme@sopuli.xyz 17 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

That's just the ok-sign.

Edit: Ok sure it can be used and interpreted as a white power thing, but I would prefer for that not to be the case. The alt-right co-opting of the sign is one of the most stupid things in recent memory.

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

I know it is. Some people choose to interpret it as a WP symbol. But it's still upside down in this case so it's clearly not one as well as this particular style being widely used as a meme a while back anyway.

[-] EmpathicVagrant@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago
[-] Deme@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Zach Rehl, leader of the Philadelphia Proud Boys, making the OK gesture in November 2020

He's doing it like that.

The association of the gesture with white supremacy derived from the assertion that the three upheld fingers resemble a W and the circle made with the thumb and forefinger resemble the head of a P, together standing for "White Power". While some members of the alt-right started using the symbol after the launch of the 4chan campaign, it initially remained ambiguous whether or not it was being used to communicate genuine adherence to white supremacy, or with deliberately ironic motives.

[-] chocrates@piefed.world 3 points 1 week ago

Eh, I disagree. Either the w or the p are going to be upside down.
The nazis stole the "ok" symbol a few years ago.

We can pretend it doesn't mean it if you want

[-] Deme@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 week ago

Pepe was also stolen back in 2016 or so, but that one got reclaimed by people "pretending" that it wasn't a symbol of hate. The ok-sign shouldn't even need to be reclaimed since it has such strong previous connotations. But if you do think that it is, and that every cheff doing the chefs kiss or a scuba diver saying "I'm ok" with their hand is actually doing a nazi hate symbol, then it too should be reclaimed.

[-] otacon239@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

Yeah, I heard about this and completely ignored it. Until someone pulls me aside and tells me I’m flashing a hate symbol, I’m giving the okay. And even then, I’d only change my behavior for that one person. No way am I changing a 25+-year habit for some fascist culturally appropriating fucks.

[-] NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Nah, he’s just winning the game, racists angle the hand/fingers up and the palm facing out for that. I didn’t think it was a common thing until I started buzzing my head (because I don’t have hair worth having) and then these fuckers popped up everywhere with their little signals treating me like one of them because I happen to be bald. It was a jarring revelation.

Coincidentally, that was around about the same time I learned how quickly racists fold when you start loudly calling them out at a crowded train station.

[-] Geobloke@aussie.zone 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Our it curiosity are you Aussie? I've heard of the game thing but never the nazi thing here in Australia. I'm also considering going bald and was already worried about the skin head association

[-] yermaw@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago

In the UK we have the circle game, or had in the 90s and 00s, the kids these days dont seem to know it.

Ive heard of it being the symbol for white power because the circle makes the P and the fingers make the W, but the only times I've heard it were now and about 20 years ago on some schizo blog pointing out how Goerge Dubya did it one time.

[-] NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

I wish. Nah, I’m one of those scum fuck americans.

this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2026
259 points (100.0% liked)

Lemmy Shitpost

40464 readers
3265 users here now

Welcome to Lemmy Shitpost. Here you can shitpost to your hearts content.

Anything and everything goes. Memes, Jokes, Vents and Banter. Though we still have to comply with lemmy.world instance rules. So behave!


Rules:

1. Be Respectful


Refrain from using harmful language pertaining to a protected characteristic: e.g. race, gender, sexuality, disability or religion.

Refrain from being argumentative when responding or commenting to posts/replies. Personal attacks are not welcome here.

...


2. No Illegal Content


Content that violates the law. Any post/comment found to be in breach of common law will be removed and given to the authorities if required.

That means:

-No promoting violence/threats against any individuals

-No CSA content or Revenge Porn

-No sharing private/personal information (Doxxing)

...


3. No Spam


Posting the same post, no matter the intent is against the rules.

-If you have posted content, please refrain from re-posting said content within this community.

-Do not spam posts with intent to harass, annoy, bully, advertise, scam or harm this community.

-No posting Scams/Advertisements/Phishing Links/IP Grabbers

-No Bots, Bots will be banned from the community.

...


4. No Porn/ExplicitContent


-Do not post explicit content. Lemmy.World is not the instance for NSFW content.

-Do not post Gore or Shock Content.

...


5. No Enciting Harassment,Brigading, Doxxing or Witch Hunts


-Do not Brigade other Communities

-No calls to action against other communities/users within Lemmy or outside of Lemmy.

-No Witch Hunts against users/communities.

-No content that harasses members within or outside of the community.

...


6. NSFW should be behind NSFW tags.


-Content that is NSFW should be behind NSFW tags.

-Content that might be distressing should be kept behind NSFW tags.

...

If you see content that is a breach of the rules, please flag and report the comment and a moderator will take action where they can.


Also check out:

Partnered Communities:

1.Memes

2.Lemmy Review

3.Mildly Infuriating

4.Lemmy Be Wholesome

5.No Stupid Questions

6.You Should Know

7.Comedy Heaven

8.Credible Defense

9.Ten Forward

10.LinuxMemes (Linux themed memes)


Reach out to

All communities included on the sidebar are to be made in compliance with the instance rules. Striker

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS