White Racial Extremist White Racial Extremist Movements Movements

The Hardest Hate:The Hardest Hate:

An Introduction toAn Introduction to

White Racial ExtremismWhite Racial Extremism

Thank You!Thank You!

I would like to thank Dr. Daniel Martin, Chair Janelle Wilson, and the Sociology and Anthropology Department for bringing me here to the University of Minnesota – Duluth to speak with you today…

I have been here before speaking to the First Reading XV Sessions - "The Popular Culture of White Supremacy” on April 28, 1995.

Thinking about Thinking about White Racial ExtremismWhite Racial Extremism

The project has focused on understanding the reasons that lead some people to join a social movement that many of us do not understand…

The research has taken multiple tracks:

(1) Interviewing members and leaders of these groups,(2) individuals who are connected to these groups,(3) content analysis of written material by and about these groups,(4) and collection and analysis of data on hate crime and hate crime laws.

Interview DataInterview DataI have interviewed 325 individuals involved in extremist I have interviewed 325 individuals involved in extremist organizations in the United Statesorganizations in the United States

Midwest: Ohio (148) Kentucky (25) West Virginia (15) Pennsylvania (14) Illinois (13) Indiana (16)

South: North Carolina (19) South Carolina (25) Georgia (16) Tennessee (16)

East: Massachusetts (18)

How many white racial How many white racial extremists are in the U.S.?extremists are in the U.S.?

Hard to know– Why… frequent changes and fluctuations in

membership

Did not track these groups until recently

Most of data comes from watchdog groups (Anti-racist groups)

Hate Groups (2003)Hate Groups (2003)

Hate in Hate in

Ohio Ohio (2003)(2003)

Content AnalysisContent Analysis I have also conducted content analysis on hundreds of

newspaper and print articles, television and radio programs, and letters to the editors written by white racial extremists.

This analysis has helped contextualize white racial extremists in the local and national consciousness.

I have also reviewed the scholarly literature in deviant behavior, criminology, popular culture, social movements, and white racial extremism.

In addition, I have also examined hundreds of web sites.

Little good scholarshipLittle good scholarship

Although much scholarly work has focused on extremism in a useful way...

Need for research on the ‘New Racism…’

Need for research that does not see racial extremists as pathological…

IntroductionIntroduction

White Supremacy White Supremacy vs.

White RacialismWhite Racialism

What is a Racist?What is a Racist?

White racialist beliefs White racialist beliefs

Spirituality– Racist Christian Identity – Racist Odinism

Community: Family and Race as Nation

Race War– ZOG/JOG

Odinism• Considered the religion

of the Vikings• 15-50 percent are racist

Christian Identity Covenant, Sword, and

Arm of the Lord (CSA) Aryan Nations World Church of the Creator

(WCotC) The creation of man &

the two-seed theory

Extremist OrganizationsExtremist Organizations

Ties to Hate Crime– Important to remember the rise and development of

Hate Crime in the U.S. & abroad as related tothese individuals and organizations

Domestic v. International Extremism

Again - Hard to Measure Membership

U.S. “Hate Groups”/White racial extremism trends

Briefly we will now turn our attention to Hate Crime for a few minutes:

• What is a Hate Crime?• Characteristics of Hate Crime• Impact of Hate Crimes

Hate Crimes and Hate Crimes and Hate Crime LawsHate Crime Laws

Often a response to “hate activity”

Hate Crimes and Hate Groups (5%)

Significantly different than non-hate crimes

RAV v. St. PaulRAV v. St. Paul

Seventeen-year-old Robert Anthony Viktora, who was white, burned a cross on a black family’s front lawn.

He was charged with a variety of offenses, but in 1992 (in R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul) the Supreme Court found one of his convictions to be a violation of the first amendment.

Mitchell v. Wisconsin

Penalty Enhancement

- 2 parts

Mitchell v. WisconsinMitchell v. Wisconsin

Nineteen-year-old Todd Mitchell, who was black, urged his friends to “go get” a fourteen-year-old white boy who happened to be walking by.

The friends beat the boy badly enough to put him in a coma. Mitchell also faced a variety of charges, but this time, only a year after Viktora’s case, the Supreme Court upheld those convictions (Wisconsin v. Mitchell, 1993).

What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference? What distinguished Viktora’s case from

Mitchell’s? The former involved hate speech, whereas the latter involved hate crime.

These terms are often used interchangeably by lay people and the media, and the distinction may seem unimportant.

In reality, however, hate crime and hate speech are very different from legal, policy, and phenomenological standpoints.

Increasing Levels of Increasing Levels of Hate Crimes?Hate Crimes?

In recent decades, our society has witnessed a significant increase in the occurrence of hate crimes targeting particular groups.

One of the main concerns related to this unforeseen growth of hate crimes is that the brutality and nature of these crimes has intensified immensely.

Hate crimes are Hate crimes are frequently Attacksfrequently Attacks

Over the past few years, the number of attacks against people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin has increased at an alarming rate.

The increase in anti-Semitic violence in the 1990s is instructive of this trend.

                 

     

Benjamin Nathaniel Benjamin Nathaniel Smith, who went on a Smith, who went on a deadly killing spree in the deadly killing spree in the Midwest that targeted Midwest that targeted minorities, is one of the minorities, is one of the most recent hate-most recent hate-motivated criminals motivated criminals whose acts have whose acts have prompted federal and prompted federal and local action.local action. (AP Photo)

Benjamin SmithBenjamin Smith

Characteristics of Hate CrimesCharacteristics of Hate Crimes

1. Severity of attack--most hate crimes are violent assaults.

2. Nature of attack--hatred is illustrated when force is exercised beyond what may be necessary to subdue victims, make them comply, disarm them, or take goods from them. 3/4 of all hate crime attacks involve some physical injury.

Warning the next slide is Warning the next slide is graphicgraphic

It is alright to avert your eyes…

Hate Crimes are Vicious

I show you that slide to demonstrate the I show you that slide to demonstrate the anger and hostility that accompany anger and hostility that accompany violent hate assaultsviolent hate assaults

Characteristics of Hate Crimes IICharacteristics of Hate Crimes II

3. Randomness--hate crimes appear to be irrational crimes perpetuated at random on total strangers (85% of HC are committed by strangers) victims rarely provoke their attackers directly.

4. Perpetuated by multiple offenders--unlike most violent crimes, hate crimes are usually committed by groups of people.

A New IdeaA New Idea Although bigotry is probably as old as humanity,

the term "hate crime" is a new one, as is the idea of special treatment of these offenses.

The first hate crime law was passed around 1980, and two decades later, 43 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government had all enacted some form of hate crime legislation (Anti-Defamation League [ADL], 2001).

The phrase has entered the popular vernacular, and it is used frequently by the media.

GroupsGroups

Now that we have talked about Hate Now that we have talked about Hate Crime, lets turn our attention to the various Crime, lets turn our attention to the various groups in the United States that I have groups in the United States that I have conducted interviews with leaders and conducted interviews with leaders and followers…followers…

We discuss these groups to understand the We discuss these groups to understand the variety of white racial extremists…variety of white racial extremists…

Ku Klux Klan (1Ku Klux Klan (1stst era) era)

Not ONE KlanDates of the “Klan

Eras” vary

First era (1866-1871)– 1866: Formed in

Pulaski, Tenn. – 1871: 550,000 members

KKKKKK

Knights of Ku Klux Klan– 1st Era Klan 1865-1869/1870

Founded in Pulaski, TN during Christmas 1865 Started as a social group First Imperial Wizard was Nathan Bedford Forest

– Born July 13, 1821-October 29, 1877

Over time evolved into vigilantes then terrorist Dissolved in 1869-1870

KKK (2)KKK (2)

Second era (1915-1930)– 1920: 5,000 members– Anti-Semitic and anti-

Catholic– 1925: 3.5 million -

5 million members (high point)

– Scandals caused decline

Ku Klux Klan (3-4)Ku Klux Klan (3-4)

Third era (1954-1969)– Civil rights era

Fourth era (1974-1984)– 1974: 1,500 members – The new image

(e.g. David Duke)

Third and Fourth Era Third and Fourth Era Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan

In the 1950s, the KKK reemerged to oppose the civil rights movement

– This is the era of fragmented Klans– “Dynamite Klan”

1950s Church Bombings

Fourth era (1974-1984)– 1974: 1,500 members – The new image (e.g. David Duke)– Imperial Wizard and leader, David Duke

KKK TodayKKK Today

Fifth era (three possibilities)– 1981 - present: new era

of secrecy– 1995 - present:

the Internet– Has yet to occur

DowntowDowntown n CincinnatCincinnati i (12/03)(12/03)

The Klan in OhioThe Klan in Ohio

Preparing for a Klan RallyPreparing for a Klan Rally

1999: There were 7 Klan 1999: There were 7 Klan Rallies in Ohio (3 Rallies in Ohio (3

examples)examples)March 21, 1999 (Kettering)

– 15 Klan, 12 supporters, 200 protestors, 80/85 officers used, 2 arrests, $20,000-25,000

September 11, 1999 (Columbus)– 20 Klan, 3 supporters, 200-300 protestors, $120,000

($36,000 barracades)June 19, 1999 (Bowling Green)

– 10 Klan, 1 supporter, 50-60 protestors, all 32 officers used, $4,000

American Nazis Party• George Lincoln Rockwell, Arlington, VA

Coined the term “White Power”

• Extreme Anti-Semitism & Racism• Vanguard Principle• Admiration for Hitler (esp. his focus on

organization, core beliefs, Anti-Semitism, and control)

George Lincoln RockwellGeorge Lincoln Rockwell

Killed by follower in 1967

Thomas Metzger• Race and Reason• Recruited young

people

1988 SPLC law suit• Lost and owed 8

million

American Dissident Voices radio show Resistance Records

Neo-Nazi

William Pierce

The Turner Diaries

National AllianceNational Alliance

Founded by William Pierce

The Turner DiariesThe Turner Diaries

Key text to Robert Jay Matthews (the Order) and Timothy McVeigh

One of the best selling books among the racist right

Also wrote “Hunter”

Philosophy of the Philosophy of the National AllianceNational Alliance

See Motto at left (on back of card)

Founded by Richard Butler and moved to a compound outside of Lake Hayden, Idaho and based on the religious philosophy of Christian Identity

The OrderThe OrderSplinter Group of Aryan Nations that was tired of all

the talk and waiting for an eventual race war in the United States. They believed that direct action needed to be taken to begin the race war.

• Formed by Robert Jay Matthews.• Killed controversial Denver-based radio talk show host

Alan Berg.• Successfully robbed two brinks armored cars and netted

almost 4 million dollars.• Killed a member that they thought was a traitor.

Robert Jay MatthewsRobert Jay Matthews

1950-1983

Matthews pictured here with his ‘girlfriend’

Leader of the Order– Also called the Silent

Brotherhood

Significance of The OrderSignificance of The Order

Established a clarion call for direct violent direct violent confrontationconfrontation– Bought paramilitary equipment and trained for a strike

on a populated city in the Pacific Northwest.– Richard Snell– Timothy McVeigh (not only was influenced by the

Turner Diaries but also by The Order)

Spread the money that was stolen around the white racial extremist movement

RitualRitual

Swearing-in ceremonyView of HistoryOrganization of the GroupBrotherhoodDavid Lane – The 14 Words

"We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

Aryan Nations ProblemsAryan Nations Problems

Sued for 6.5 million dollars and lost…which lost the compound and all of the resources of the organization in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Moved headquarters and leadership to Ohio– Ray Redfairn

Then split again…

Racist Skinheads and Racist Skinheads and Neo-NazisNeo-Nazis

Racist Racist SkinheadsSkinheads

Skinhead origins National Front (England) Music – Skrewdriver “Foot soldiers of the

movement”

Racist Skinhead BeliefsRacist Skinhead Beliefs

Connection to Neo-Nazis Beliefs– Vanguard– Hitler’s Organizational Principles

Focused on Race– Use music, popular culture, anger to promote message

Uniform vs. Clean Appearance

Origin of Racist SkinheadsOrigin of Racist Skinheads

Developed from music subcultures in England in the late 1960s and early 1970s– Mods– Rudes/Rudeboys– Punk

Racist Skinhead MusicRacist Skinhead Music

Skrewdriver– Ian Stewart Donaldson– Led to the development of other “White Power” music:

RaHoWa– George (Hawthorne) Burdi– Resistance Records

Angry Aryans, Max Resist, Bound For Glory, many more…

Anti-Racist SkinheadsAnti-Racist Skinheads

These are groups that use the skinhead music and subculture to fight extremists in the United States and abroad:– Sharp Skins– New Edge– Anti-Racist Action

Church of Jesus Christ Christian• Historic Development (Barkin, Religion and the

Racist Right)

• Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion

True Identity of Israel• Racial Identity

Enosh – Aliens that went to war w/ God Man Jews Mongrels

ArmageddonArmageddon

Christian Identity believers (not what they call themselves but we need a term to identify them)– Believe that Jesus will not return until Jews, Enosh, and

Mongrels are removed from the Earth

– They do not believe in the rapture because they believe that Christians must fight evil rather than waiting for God to pull them out of the fight

How they view themselvesHow they view themselves

Pete PetersPete Peters Identity Minister

Pastor of the LaPorte Church of Christ and head of its Scriptures for America Worldwide international outreach ministry.

Peters ActivitiesPeters Activities

Peters has hosted Scriptures for America Bible retreats, Family Bible Camp Conferences, and seminars that have attracted prominent Identity and other far-right figures.

He hosts a Scriptures for America short-wave radio program and disseminates audiocassette tapes of his sermons and those of other Identity preachers.

Scriptures for AmericaScriptures for America

Peters has promoted Scriptures for America Worldwide, the outreach arm of his church, as "dedicated to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to revealing to the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and kindred peoples of the world their true Biblical identity."

Identity BeliefIdentity Belief

Peters alleges that the 12 tribes of Israel consist of "the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Celtic, Scandinavian and kindred peoples -- the peoples who comprise the white race which settled the North American continent, forming the bedrock population of the United States of America.“

Extremely Anti-SemeticExtremely Anti-Semetic

Peters has said, "We are not 'Judeo-Christians' -- a term which is an oxymoron, if ever there was one.

We neither follow nor promote the so-called 'Judeo-Christian ethic.' We are Christians." He has charged that "anti-Christ Jews" have "warred against the truth" to "demonize the label Christian."

Spreading the WordSpreading the Word Scriptures for America audiocassette tapes by

others have included: "The Six Million Holocaust" by Ernst Zundel, a pro-Nazi propagandist and Holocaust denier;

"The Point of No Return" by Jack Mohr, a Mississippi-based anti-Jewish propagandist and Identity adherent; and

"The Greatest Conspiracy" by Earl Jones, a New Mexico-based Identity minister.

Founded in 1973 by Ben Klassen who wrote a book called: White Man’s BibleWhite Man’s Bible

CreativityCreativity WCOTC is a white supremacist group that

considers itself a religion founded on the proposition that the white race is "nature's highest creation" and that "white people are the creators of all worthwhile culture and civilization."

Followers of the WCOTC do not believe in God, heaven, hell or eternal life. They consider Jews and nonwhites, whom they refer to as "mud races," to be the "natural enemies" of the white race.

Matthew HaleMatthew Hale

Pontificus Maximus of World Church of the Creator until 1996-2003

Former University of Michigan law student

After graduation he was denied the right to practice law

Rise of Matt HaleRise of Matt Hale

Hale assumed leadership in 1996Publish The StruggleMore than 30 affiliated

Web sites; online mailing

lists, bulletin boards,

and chat rooms

White Power Music Women and Children The Internet and social media

““Music of the White Resistance”Music of the White Resistance”

Since the 1980s…

White Power White Power MusicMusic

Recruitment toolSkrewdriverResistance Records

– George Burdi – National Alliance

Panzerfaust

George “Hawthorne” BurdiGeorge “Hawthorne” Burdi

Founder of the band RaHoWa (stand for Racial Holy War)

Founder of Resistance Records

Canadian Former member of

World Church of the Creator

Rahowa

Blue Eyed Devils

Bound for Glory

Extreme Hatred

Angry Aryans

Nordic Thunder

Blood and Honour

Brutal Attack

Berserkr

Max Resist

Racial Extremism

and the Internet

New Forms of CommunicationNew Forms of Communication

Media Radio Television Politics Rallies Speeches Internet

                                                                                             

Youth Youth RacialistsRacialists

Female Female RacialistsRacialists

The Purpose The Purpose

Understanding these groups so we can respond to them– How do we respond to behavior

we do not understand?

We have a few minutes left any questions that I can answer?