ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It was a scene made for the internet: a group of neo-Nazis rallying on a street corner in a diverse city, shouting slogans 80 years past their time.

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With smart phones in every hand, videos of the swastika flag waving in Waterford Lakes and over I-4 quickly found their way to screens across the country, and the reaction was swift.

“I honestly think a group ten times this size of us need to just show up and run them off every time,” Reddit user nnnnnn321 wrote in response to a post.

READ: Former judge: Expose the ‘dark, ugly head’ of hatred showing itself in Central Florida

Unfortunately, extremism is becoming more common in the Sunshine State.

There are roughly twice as many active groups now as there were at the turn of the century, Florida State University sociologist Deana Rohlinger reported, and they feel encouraged to come out of their basements and closets thanks to the toxic political environment elected officials have created.

“We’re allowing the some of the smaller voices become the loudest voices, instead of the many voices who are becoming increasingly quiet,” Rohlinger said, blaming politicians’ desire to court votes and dollars at every possible opportunity.

READ: Demonstrators wearing swastikas yell antisemitic slurs in Waterford Lakes over the weekend

For Floridians who are less concerned about casting blame and more wary of “Heil Hitler” being shouted outside the grocery store, the question turns to how to respond to small demonstrations of undesirable and hateful viewpoints.

Some people believe the viral method is effective, allowing the person’s friends, family, business associates and neighbors to disavow and disconnect from them.

Others prefer the opposite approach.

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“Treat them like a bratty child, just don’t give them no energy,” Jevon Alexander said, while shopping in Winter Park.

Rohlinger offered a third approach: redirecting the messaging and making something else the center of attention. Perhaps two people on different ends of the political spectrum finding a mutual love of art or coffee, she said. Or, people’s anger being directed at a pothole down the street instead of a political talking point.

“We should really start thinking about what are the ways that we can pull ourselves together,” she explained.

READ: Central Florida synagogues stepping up security after antisemitic demonstrations

Her suggestion is already being put to use by a group with rising influence: K-Pop fans in their teens and twenties, who often spam political or racist hashtags with videos and photos of their favorite artists.

The effect of their efforts is noticeable. Instead of finding a place to rage with like-minded individuals, anyone who tries to click on that hashtag is met a never-ending stream of passionate supporters of K-Pop, effectively breaking the cycle of hate.

“We have lots of learning to do from young folks,” Rohlinger said, chuckling at the thought. “I think it’s true. I think that changing the messaging can be really powerful. There’s nothing wrong with us having a little joy in our day.”

Bethune-Cookman University students return to class after bomb threats close campus The FBI is investigating recent threats made to historically black colleges and universities, including Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. (Mike Springer, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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