Tensions are high following the weekend’s events in Charlottesville, which saw white nationalists clashing with counter-protesters in a scene that left a woman dead after a car was driven into the crowd.
Reaper Miniatures, a toy company, is taking action against one of its senior employees after he engaged in an argument with progressives on his personal Facebook account. Matthew Paul Clark expressed disagreement to those who were keen on throwing labels around following the violence, stating that it was important to be precise with labels.
“We need to stop using the term [Nazi] as a general descriptor of evil doings or something we just disagree with,” he wrote. “It’s one thing to say something like you’re just a grammar NAZI. We all get that sort of reference. But wearing masks and damaging property and causing bodily harm in the name of anti-Nazi just leaves yourself being open for criticism of your actions creating an environment of what looks like NAZI supporters; which could not be further from the truth!” [sic]
Clark stated that it was important to be opposed to fascism, but warned against being “a fascist in the process of being against it.”
“That’s my point,” he stated. “I never said that you should not call someone waving the flag a Nazi, all I saids was that those who do, for the most part, don’t know what being a Nazi really is—huge difference. Those who do are using it to be bigoted and elitist. Again, I do not support any h ate group, but when Antifa becomes a hate group it is just another one to chalk up to evil organizations.”
Clark stated that Antifa members who wear masks to hide their identities and terrorize the public cross the line, and that their vigilantism has no excuse. He also pointed out the overlap between left-wing socialism and the ideological views of the Nazis, who were themselves socialists despite their extreme nationalistic views.
He added people allowed their emotions to blind them to reality, and noted the behavior of Antifa adherents who behave as poorly as those they proclaim to fight.
Ed Pugh, the CEO of Reaper Miniatures, issued a statement condemning Clark’s personal remarks following complaints to the company by upset progressives.
“It has come to our attention that one of our employees became involved in a series of controversial posts on social media,” wrote Pugh. “We are deeply embarrassed that our company name has been associated with these statements. Reaper’s culture values diversity and equality, and we do not support, condone, or agree in any way with the views the employee expressed in that discussion. We are reviewing the matter and taking appropriate action.”
Clark has since issued an apology for stating his thoughts on Facebook. “What I said was insensitive,” he wrote. “I am not a Nazi, and I am not a fascist. I do not agree with national socialists nor do I support any hate groups or their agendas.”
“I realize my words hurt and offended people and I truly apologize.”
On Facebook, Clark now lists his position at Reaper Miniatures under “past employment.”
The Daily Caller has reached out to Reaper Miniatures’ CEO for response.
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on Facebook.