The Midway contacted a member of the alt-right to ask about his views. “Kyle,” whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, is a high school student in Indiana. After discovering the alt-right on a conspiracy theory website, “Kyle” asked for more information and was directed to further documentaries and websites that he says shaped his perception of the world.

While he believes the term is a blanket label, “Kyle” sees the alt-right as a place where he can discuss views with like-minded people without being attacked. “Kyle” supported President Trump through the election because he believes the politcal arena needs to be widened. He does not support President Trump’s recent foreign policy actions. He also believes President Trump needs the alt-right in order to get re-elected.

What did you think about Charlottesville?

Being a Civil War enthusiast–not saying I like war, just that I’ve studied the War of Secession quite a bit–I do object to the process of removing Confederate statues. It’s a very nuanced issue, but I don’t think history should be erased like that. If you want to put up statues of both sides, that’s fine as long as everybody is represented. The future will be better if we remember history and learn from it than if we try to erase it and pretend it wasn’t there.

Would you say that you are a white nationalist?

I wouldn’t say I’m a white nationalist in that America should be a white nation. It’s really the changes in immigration brought about by some of our Hebrew friends in Congress that changed the policies so most of the immigrants were coming from Asia and Africa rather than Europe, as had been traditional…

In terms of white nationalism, I wouldn’t say American white nationalism is feasible considering you have non-whites integrated into society for so long, and they’re such a large percentage of the population. It would take so much blood to remove these people, and I really don’t want to. America has already embraced its myth of working together. I say fine, let the United States remain like that. If you want to stay, it’s fine as long as you’re on board with the American culture. If you’re going to disrespect American culture, there are plenty of other places to go… What I don’t want is this process replicated in the actual continent of Europe. I want European nations to remain European nations. I want migrants to be repatriated, forcibly or not…

America’s a special case, because the only people that really have the rights to the land are traditionally the Native Americans. The policy against the Indians was very cruel. I am in full support of the Native Americans. Their interests should be looked after, their culture should be respected with their land and legacy. I don’t support colonialism at all. Every nation, race, people, culture deserves its own territory and its own values to pass on to their children.

If there’s anything you could say to a predominantly liberal school, what would it be?

I have a bunch of things I want to explain to you, and it hurts me that we can’t have a real discussion. If I try to bring up something that I’ve learned, I’ll be shut down and called a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe, anti-Semitic. It’s shutting down the discussion, and what that tells me is that you’re comfortable in your worldview and don’t want to hear things that conflict. I don’t do that. I don’t stay in my alt-right bubble. I read the New York Times, I read Jewish newspapers…

What I don’t agree with is all the dehumanization. I see it all the time, whether it’s my side or yours. People say it’s always okay to punch a Nazi because Nazis are evil, there’s nothing good about them. Even if someone has views you don’t like, they’re still human and they deserve the respect you grant for human rights and human dignity.