Racism, Symbols, and Crowdfunding: An Incident Challenges the Heathen Community

A recent widely publicized incident involving a woman who used a racial slur against a child and subsequently raised a significant amount of money through crowdfunding has sparked considerable debate, particularly within certain spiritual communities. The event brings into sharp focus ongoing discussions about identity, symbols, and the uncomfortable presence of racism in modern faith traditions, specifically American Heathenry.

The Incident and Viral Crowdfunding

The situation gained viral attention following a video showing a woman, identified as Shiloh Hendrix from Minnesota, in a confrontation where she admittedly used a racial slur towards a five-year-old child. When challenged, she repeated the offensive term, justifying her actions by alleging the child attempted to steal from her own young son.

Following the video's spread, Hendrix initiated a crowdfunding campaign on a platform, describing her situation as "dire" and claiming a need for funds for protection and potential relocation due to her information being leaked. She framed the incident by stating she "called the kid out for what he was" after the alleged theft attempt.

The campaign quickly gained traction, particularly among individuals aligned with specific political viewpoints. It rapidly accumulated hundreds of thousands of dollars – reports indicate over three-quarters of a million by early May. Analysis of donor activity, before comments were restricted, revealed many contributions came from anonymous accounts or those using explicitly racist or white supremacist-aligned pseudonyms and phrases, such as "White Lives Matter" or references to white supremacist credos like the "14 words." Some donations were reportedly linked to known white supremacist organizations.

The Symbolic Connection and Community Response

Adding a layer of complexity and direct relevance to the Heathen community, photographs of Shiloh Hendrix circulating in connection with the crowdfunding campaign show a tattoo of a Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer) on her hand. While her personal religious affiliation is not definitively confirmed, her online presence, including platforms like Pinterest, reportedly features content related to Norse mythology and Viking imagery. This display of Heathen-associated symbols became particularly significant when certain elements within white supremacist and far-right segments of Heathenry publicly supported her actions.

Commentary from these factions lauded Hendrix, portraying her use of the slur and refusal to apologize as an act of strength or courage, contrasting it with perceived reactions from followers of Abrahamic faiths. Notably, a prominent figure associated with a Wotanist neo-Nazi organization was reported to have donated to her campaign, and some Folkish Heathens celebrated her stance on social media platforms.

A Critical Look at Racism in Heathenry

This incident, and the support Hendrix received from individuals and groups utilizing Heathen symbols, forces a critical examination of the presence and visibility of overt racism within American Heathenry today. While some within the broader Pagan and Heathen communities may prefer to view racist elements as fringe or marginal, this event underscores that they are not only present but, for some, appear emboldened and willing to publicly align with and financially support explicitly racist actions, even those targeting children.

The stark contrast between the hundreds of thousands raised for an action rooted in racism, compared to the typical fundraising capacity for antiracist initiatives within the community, highlights the challenge. It's not merely that racist views exist; it's that they are being expressed openly, sometimes tied to Heathen symbols, and are finding financial and ideological support.