A man with a history of violence and white nationalism, Jake Lang, attempted to incite chaos in Dearborn, Michigan, a city known for its diverse community. Lang, who is Jewish but identifies as racist, arrived in the city with a bulletproof vest, a Quran he threatened to burn, and a bag of bacon to shove at people's faces. He was accompanied by a small group of followers and a camera.
Lang's goal was not to engage in dialogue or peaceful protest but to provoke panic and propaganda. He spent hours taunting Muslims and their supporters, who responded with anger and outrage. Lang then plastered social media with videos claiming he had uncovered a "violent Muslim stronghold," which racked up over 200,000 views. Many people sympathized with him, despite his history of violence.
Lang executed a textbook use of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), manipulating the narrative to portray himself as the victim. He began congregating in Dearborn early in the afternoon with a banner reading "Americans Against Islamification" and large wooden crosses. Lang mocked Arabic language, called Muslims "violent and disgusting people," and waved bacon at their faces.
He threatened to burn a Quran and prayed for God to "remove Muslims." Lang declared Dearborn a "Christian country" and claimed that white people who supported their neighbors were "white traitors." He repeatedly used racial slurs and told one group they were "chimping out."
Despite his provocations, Lang put on a performance of innocence for the camera, repeating that he was shocked by how he was being treated. The media framed the event as a "debate" over religion, ignoring the underlying racism.
Lang's stunt relied on Americans who don't know about Dearborn's diverse community and Sharia law not being practiced there. His behavior was similar to some of the conduct that landed him in federal custody, where he played a front-line role in the January 6 attack and publicly declared the Capitol riot justified.
The performance worked on many viewers, who appeared convinced they were watching an Islamic uprising. Lang's comments included: "Islam is robbing our country of unity," "They are a disgrace," and "God asks us to stand up and fight against people who are his enemies."
When Muslims responded with anger, Lang told them to "get the fuck out of my country." He complained to his followers that Muslims didn't want to coexist. In a triumphant tweet afterward, he wrote: "Today we showed THE WORLD just how VIOLENT and disgusting the Muslim Stronghold of Dearborn TRULY IS!!"
Lang's behavior is not unique; some people would react similarly if they showed up in a small Christian town with racial slurs, taunted teenagers, threatened to burn Bibles, and declared the area "Islam." However, this incident highlights how racist agitators can manufacture chaos to feed their movement and ego.
Lang's goal was not to engage in dialogue or peaceful protest but to provoke panic and propaganda. He spent hours taunting Muslims and their supporters, who responded with anger and outrage. Lang then plastered social media with videos claiming he had uncovered a "violent Muslim stronghold," which racked up over 200,000 views. Many people sympathized with him, despite his history of violence.
Lang executed a textbook use of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), manipulating the narrative to portray himself as the victim. He began congregating in Dearborn early in the afternoon with a banner reading "Americans Against Islamification" and large wooden crosses. Lang mocked Arabic language, called Muslims "violent and disgusting people," and waved bacon at their faces.
He threatened to burn a Quran and prayed for God to "remove Muslims." Lang declared Dearborn a "Christian country" and claimed that white people who supported their neighbors were "white traitors." He repeatedly used racial slurs and told one group they were "chimping out."
Despite his provocations, Lang put on a performance of innocence for the camera, repeating that he was shocked by how he was being treated. The media framed the event as a "debate" over religion, ignoring the underlying racism.
Lang's stunt relied on Americans who don't know about Dearborn's diverse community and Sharia law not being practiced there. His behavior was similar to some of the conduct that landed him in federal custody, where he played a front-line role in the January 6 attack and publicly declared the Capitol riot justified.
The performance worked on many viewers, who appeared convinced they were watching an Islamic uprising. Lang's comments included: "Islam is robbing our country of unity," "They are a disgrace," and "God asks us to stand up and fight against people who are his enemies."
When Muslims responded with anger, Lang told them to "get the fuck out of my country." He complained to his followers that Muslims didn't want to coexist. In a triumphant tweet afterward, he wrote: "Today we showed THE WORLD just how VIOLENT and disgusting the Muslim Stronghold of Dearborn TRULY IS!!"
Lang's behavior is not unique; some people would react similarly if they showed up in a small Christian town with racial slurs, taunted teenagers, threatened to burn Bibles, and declared the area "Islam." However, this incident highlights how racist agitators can manufacture chaos to feed their movement and ego.