Heathen Racist Words/Phrases to Watch Out For

RefDuring my research into Heathenism, I have been discovering undertones of racism in the strangest places. Just today, I picked up a version of the Poetic Edda to find the translation and the author’s explanation to be riddled with supremacist rhetoric. So I wanted to create a hot list, so to speak, of words and phrases to watch out for. If you see them, be wary for you may be reading some racist propaganda mixed in with your Heathenry. 

The Hot List: 

Please keep adding more. 

Heathens against Racism

Don’t forget Folkism/Folkish Odinist/Odinism (not necessarily Odinsman/woman but Odinism tends to be used largely by racists)

Because I keep getting a LOT of reblogs with misunderstandings…

1. I understand that heritage plays a large role in why people choose their path. Nothing wrong with this :)

2. Ancestor veneration is a huge part of Heathenism. But an emphasis ancestors needing to be Scandinavian is elitism/racism. 

3. Being white does not make you racist. Being White and Scandinavian does not make you racist. REQUIRING someone to be white/scandinavian to practice Norse paganism makes you racist - or at the very least, elitist.

4. Believing that being White, and/or Scandinavian is a prerequisite for Heathenism or Asatru IS white supremacy, elitism, and frankly - policing other’s path. It is also feeling entitlement/elitism and ownership of Asatru due to your family ties. Since we had to reconstruct Asatru due to the willing conversion of all of Scandinavia to Christianity, no one owns the religion.

5. “Appropriation” is defined as the practice of cultural and religious staples outside of the proper and original context. Someone practicing Asatru who is not Scandinavian is NOT Cultural or Religious Appropriation. 

And Finally I am not a SJW (Social Justice Warrior). I don’t go around finding causes to be my holy project to feel better about myself. I don’t get offended on behalf of other people for the purpose of feeling superior. I just don’t want elitism to remain the norm when I go to Blots, or meet other Heathens - I’m sick of it. I don’t want Hitler’s politics (1939-1945) to shape Asatru.  Hitler’s BS white supremacy views were not historically part of Scandinavian culture or perspective. Racism is recent in this region and began in WWI-II. In the interest of reviving and protecting Historical Norse Culture, I adopt their multicultural and open mind toward diversity. After all, they had achieved world trade a thousand years before any country in Europe. ANYONE can find comfort in the old gods, and many cultures have a deity based on Odin.  Final note - Vikings were not racial purists - they had sex with anyone and everyone on their travels. Even Native Americans.

I'm not involved with the Pantheon but I have noticed the racist problem so here is a helpful list of key words to watch out for to any of my heathen followers!

Also I recommend following @north-of-annwn for more guidance because I know this has been plaguing the Norse Polytheist community for some time now.

ANYONE can worship the Nordic gods. Don't let these rotten apples fool you into thinking you have to have "pure" northern european ancestry.