Elon Musk and the Department of Homeland Security have recently been spotted donning Tolkien-esque attire, and it's not just for a costume party. In fact, they're attempting to hijack J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved fantasy world to further their own agendas.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Tolkien's works are renowned for their richly detailed world-building and moral complexity. At its core, The Lord of the Rings is a story about a diverse group of characters working together to defeat an oppressive force that threatens their way of life. In contrast, the US Department of Homeland Security has been criticized for its aggressive treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.
Musk recently tweeted his support for British far-right figure Tommy Robinson, comparing him to the "hard men" of Gondor from The Lord of the Rings. However, this comparison is misguided at best. In Tolkien's world, the "hard men" of Gondor are actually a symbol of cowardice and corruption, not bravery and strength.
Furthermore, Musk's attempt to co-opt Tolkien's mythology for his own purposes demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the author's work. Tolkien was an anti-authoritarian who believed that individuals should be free to make their own choices, rather than being bossed around by others. This value is antithetical to the sort of bullying authoritarianism that agencies like ICE enforce.
Tolkien himself wrote about the dangers of authoritarianism in his letters and essays, warning against the importance of individual freedom and moral complexity. It's clear that Musk and the Department of Homeland Security have a very different understanding of these principles.
In short, Musk's attempt to use Tolkien's mythology as a symbol of "tough guys" and "hard men" is a misreading of the author's work. Instead, it highlights a deeper problem – a willingness to co-opt cultural symbols for one's own purposes, regardless of how misguided or hurtful those uses may be.
As Emma Vossen, a Tolkien scholar, notes, "Those who wish to oppress need to see themselves as underdogs to justify their actions and values to themselves." By attempting to hijack Tolkien's mythology, Musk and the Department of Homeland Security are demonstrating this very same mindset – one that is rooted in ignorance and a desire to manipulate cultural symbols for their own ends.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Tolkien's works are renowned for their richly detailed world-building and moral complexity. At its core, The Lord of the Rings is a story about a diverse group of characters working together to defeat an oppressive force that threatens their way of life. In contrast, the US Department of Homeland Security has been criticized for its aggressive treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.
Musk recently tweeted his support for British far-right figure Tommy Robinson, comparing him to the "hard men" of Gondor from The Lord of the Rings. However, this comparison is misguided at best. In Tolkien's world, the "hard men" of Gondor are actually a symbol of cowardice and corruption, not bravery and strength.
Furthermore, Musk's attempt to co-opt Tolkien's mythology for his own purposes demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the author's work. Tolkien was an anti-authoritarian who believed that individuals should be free to make their own choices, rather than being bossed around by others. This value is antithetical to the sort of bullying authoritarianism that agencies like ICE enforce.
Tolkien himself wrote about the dangers of authoritarianism in his letters and essays, warning against the importance of individual freedom and moral complexity. It's clear that Musk and the Department of Homeland Security have a very different understanding of these principles.
In short, Musk's attempt to use Tolkien's mythology as a symbol of "tough guys" and "hard men" is a misreading of the author's work. Instead, it highlights a deeper problem – a willingness to co-opt cultural symbols for one's own purposes, regardless of how misguided or hurtful those uses may be.
As Emma Vossen, a Tolkien scholar, notes, "Those who wish to oppress need to see themselves as underdogs to justify their actions and values to themselves." By attempting to hijack Tolkien's mythology, Musk and the Department of Homeland Security are demonstrating this very same mindset – one that is rooted in ignorance and a desire to manipulate cultural symbols for their own ends.
did u know that Elon musk's tweet about tommy robinson was seen by over 2 MILLION people? 
it's crazy how fast he can spread misinformation! 
but like, what's up with the department of homeland security too? they're the ones who got criticized for their treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers 
did u know that in 2020 alone, ICE deported over 200,000 people? 
it's wild how some ppl try to co-opt tolkien's mythology 2 justify their actions... 
according 2 a study published in 2019, 70% of americans believe that immigration is the biggest threat 2 national security... 
like, what does that even mean? 
. He's literally trying to hijack J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing world to make himself look tough 
, but honestly it just comes across as really shallow and misguided. I mean, come on, the "hard men" of Gondor aren't even supposed to be the ones you'd want to team up with 
. And what's really concerning is that he's using Tolkien's mythology to justify his own agenda, which is basically all about controlling people and restricting their freedom 
. I just hope we can call out people like Musk for what they're really trying to do 
. And honestly, if you're gonna use Tolkien's work as an example, at least know the guy's actual values and message 
and I'm still on a high from it. The views were breathtaking, but you know what was even better? I found this tiny little café along the way that served the most delicious vegan coffee 
️. I mean, who knew plant-based food could be so good?! Anyway, got me thinking about Tolkien's world-building and how it's like a masterclass in storytelling... just like how that café is a masterclass in coffee-making 
I mean, where does it end? Is he going to start calling himself Aragorn or something? 
Meanwhile, DHS is just using this as an excuse to crack down on immigrants and asylum seekers. It's like they're trying to create a new kind of "Shire" - one that's all about oppression and control 
It's all about manipulating these iconic worlds and mythologies to suit someone's agenda, which just doesn't sit right with me.
Please, that guy's a far-right extremist, not some heroic figure from Gondor. I mean, who even thought it was a good idea to compare themselves to those "hard men" of Gondor? It's like they're trying to be the exact opposite of what Tolkien stood for - freedom, individuality, and moral complexity.
. I mean, Tolkien's world-building is like, super rich and complex, you know? It's not just some costume party prop for you guys to use as a crutch 
.