The issue has arisen about, in the aftermath of the Charlottesville, Virginia White Supremacy tragedy, whether it is proper for employers to punish Neo Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, White Supremacists, and the Alt Right, by firing those who work for them. A number of participants have already been fired by their employers for participation in the despicable rally.
The argument is that they do not reflect the value systems of the companies they work for, and that their prejudiced views are worthy of dismissal.
Many of the young men at the Charlottesville rally were “outed” by social media, and became “victims” of the outrage of millions of Americans.
Certainly, anyone has a right to his or her own political, social, and economic views, but it is well known that employers have complete authority to hire and fire, and often do it on grounds that are unjust, including against women, gays and lesbians, Latinos, Muslims, African Americans and Asian Americans.
But these cases just listed are based on discrimination grounds, and should and are often fought in the courts under the civil rights laws.
So if one’s extremist views are the issue, it is not the same as one’s gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity.
Promoting hate, violence, and bloodshed is a very different issue, and IS justifiable grounds for dismissal from work.
Maybe these young men can reform themselves, when they see the visceral reaction of decent people, and the hope is that they will reform, and change, and repudiate their biased views, and then forgiveness can be considered.
Otherwise, they are on the road of criminality and federal and state prison, and a disgrace to their families, so this situation can be a learning experience.