As far back as we can remember, the OK gesture has always mean “okay.” Yet the last few years has inexplicably seen the OK gesture go from meaning something completely innocent to a hate symbol representing white power and supremacy.
So here’s the big question: how did something like this even happen? Well the answer has everything to do with internet trolls on 4chan.
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The rapid disintegration of the OK gesture meaning “okay” to a symbol of white power and supremacy began back in 2017 on when 4chan trolls started a hoax called “Operation O-KKK” aimed at discrediting progressive voices and just generally screwing with people.
This unsubtly named hoax aimed to convince people and the media that the OK gesture stood for white supremacy due to the three upheld fingers in the gesture forming a “W” and the circle made by the thumb and forefinger forming a “P”, together standing for “White Power”.
So in short, it all began as a dumb joke about the OK gesture that’s not unlike all the unsavoury stuff that goes on at 4chan. Except this time, the joke went a little too well.
In promoting the OK gesture as a faux symbol of white power, actual white supremacists were encouraged to adopt it as an genuine hate symbol. In fact, it’s gotten so bad the Anti-Defamation League added the OK gesture to its “Hate on Display” database in September 2019.
Since “Operation O-KKK” kicked off in 2017, there have been several notable instances where the OK gesture has been used in support of white supremacy, such as the perpetrator of the Christchurch shootings. Most recently, a NSW cop landed in hot water for using the symbol during a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney.
Of course, this doesn’t mean every time someone flashes the OK gesture it means they’re a white supremacist since context is always important. But it has made people everywhere more than a bit wary of forming a circle with their forefinger and thumb.
So thanks 4chan for turning what was a well-meaning gesture for OK into a symbol of hate. With all the shitposting 4chan does, don’t be surprised if giving someone the finger will soon become a respectful gesture (though best double-check first if this indeed does happen).
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