E29:Racism in Heathenry: Why Norse Paganism Was Never Meant for White Supremacy

Racism has become one of the most contentious issues in modern Heathen and Norse pagan communities. In this episode of I Am Heathen (and so can you), Einar Blackthorn takes a deep dive into the clash between universalist Heathenry and folkish paganism, examining why racist interpretations of Norse mythology contradict the very stories at the heart of the tradition.Starting with the creation myth of Ask and Embla, the first humans shaped by Odin and the gods, this episode explores how Norse mythology presents humanity as a shared origin—not a racial hierarchy. From the poem Rigsthula to the ethics of frith, we examine how ancient lore challenges modern attempts to weaponize Heathenry for white supremacist ideology.Einar also recounts a personal experience confronting racist recruitment within pagan spaces, unpacking the uncomfortable conversations that followed and the larger question facing modern Heathen communities: Should hate be tolerated in the name of dialogue?