White Supremacist Hate Groups: Back With a Vengeance
The immigration issue has been much more volatile lately, and the publicity has generated a smelly by-product: a powerful resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and various skinhead and neo-Nazi groups.
These groups have been gaining members, holding more rallies and they’ve increased their presence on the Internet. They’ve been capitalizing on the immigration issue as a way to fan the flames of racism.
The Civil Rights Director of the Anti-Defamation League said “Extremist groups are good at seizing on whatever the hot button is of the day and twisting the message to get new members. This one seems to be taking hold with more of mainstream America than we’d like to see.”
She also said “The Klan is increasingly cooperating with other extremist groups and Neo-Nazi groups. That’s a new phenomenon.” The director of the Southern Poverty Law Center said “Whenever you think the Klan is down and out, they find another way to reinvent themselves.”
The KKK has been reviving a lot of their old chapters and opening news ones as well, especially in the South (like you'd expect) but also in Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Since 2005, hate groups in general have grown by 33%; the KKK has grown by 63%.
The KKK reached its highest membership — more than 4 million members — in the 1920s. During that period, same as now, their main recruiting tool was hatred of immigrants. The more things change…
Labels: Anti-Defamation League, civil rights, KKK, Ku Klux Klan, racist, Southern Poverty Law Center, white supremacist
posted by Tom Harper @ 12:14 PM
20 Comments:
Let me preface this by saying I am in no way defending Neo-Nazi's and KKK douchebags.M'Kay.
Now, you bring up the immigration issue. In this we know you are talking about all the illegal Mexicans crossing the border. I mean let's not play around, there just aren't millions of Pollacks streaming into the country.
I have my feelings on them, and most are negative as those have been the end result of most of my dealings with them, the criminal invaders that is. But, my issue is is that you are bagging on the KKK and the Neo-Nazi's, and not spreading the love to Mecha and La Raza. They are just as bad.
You know, La Raza means, THE RACE, and they aren't talking "whites". They aren't talking multiple races. The are talking about Mexicans. Period. And theyhate filled rhetoric is just as bad as that of the KKK.
Among The Race's most infamous government-funded charter schools is La Academia Semillas del Pubelo, the Los Angeles public school that teaches "Aztec math" (ancient dot math is the new math) and the Mexican indigenous language of "Nahuatl." The ethnic separatist principal of the school, Marcos Aguilar, told a sympathetic UCLA interviewer:
"We don't want to drink from a White water fountain, we have our own wells and our natural reservoirs and our way of collecting rain in our aqueducts. We don't need a White water fountain…We are not interested in what they have because we have so much more and because the world is so much larger. And ultimately the White way, the American way, the neo liberal, capitalist way of life will eventually lead to our own destruction."
Nice.
Jenn: I’m glad you're not one of those KKK defenders :)
Actually, from what I’ve read (I don’t have a link) there actually are millions of illegal Canadians, Brits and Irish in this country. They don’t stand out, so they don’t get hassled. I don’t know much about La Raza so I can't dispute what you're saying.
As far as learning ancient indigenous languages is concerned, I think that’s good. The president (or whatever his title is) of Bolivia is doing the same thing — trying to revive ancient Indian languages. I don’t personally have any desire to learn German, Scottish Gaelic or Olde English to get in touch with my roots, but I probably would if I were part of an oppressed minority.
I don't have a problem with immigrants legal or not. Latino immigrants are NOT taking American jobs. Just try to get some white high schoolers or 20 somethings to get up before dark to work the fields for the produce industry.
Supremist groups are populated by people who need the contrast between themselves and the "hated other" to verify their own insignificant existences. They are also addicted to authoritarianism. Look at these dedicated wife beaters, child abusers, bigots, racists, militarists and dog kickers to find the face of fascism (unless it is covered by a white hood or hiding beneath the cover of a religious tome).
My Hungarian great-grandparents and my grandfather were called Hunkies and accused of comming here to "steal" American jobs. My mother and aunts were not even told that their father was Hungarian until they were teenagers. They thought he was German.
What a terrible thing for people to be made to feel ashamed for being who they are. Just look at what the white Christians did to the Native Americans who were here in America first... Yes, the Whites came to TAKE EVERYTHING!
It's the same every though. In the UK the BNP are gaining more support every year.
Makes you wonder if we're fighting a losing battle - if true multicultural societies are even possible.
Except for maybe on sesame street?
Kitchen Window Woman: About whether white teenagers and 20-somethings are willing to do what illegal immigrants do, a funny thing is happening in Sonoma County, CA (where I used to live). Some friends told us that a lot of farmworkers (legal and illegal) in that area are now demanding much higher wages to pick grapes. A lot of vintners refused, and their grapes just sat rotting on the vine.
I guess for the pathetic racist losers like you're describing, the only way they can uplift themselves is to find another group — a race or a subculture — and hate them and blame them for all the world’s problems.
Yes, that would be a terrible thing to grow up thinking you're a different nationality because of persecution.
Freelance Cynic: It's a slow and painful process, but I think eventually multi-cultural and multi-racial societies will thrive. Or maybe I'm just too optimistic.
Tom, I hope you're right, but this kind of hate-talk really scares me.
Jenn and Tom - I think the bigger picture here isn't just "Pollacks" or Canadian, British and Irish illegals. They, too, should be deported, if caught.
The problem from South of the Border is that many of these illegals ARE criminals. The are helping to import gangs like MS-13 into the US to establish more illegal drug smuggling routes.
And those who aren't criminals find sanctuary with groups like "La Raza," and their brown berets - which follow the EXACT same doctrines as groups like the Black Panthers of the 60s and 70s.
And just as the Black Panthers sought a violent overthrowing of our government and the establishment of a blacks-only country within the US, La Raza seeks to retake what it calls "Aztlan," which is now California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
That is what the US government needs to concentrate on, and sadly, their failure stirs up old hate groups like the KKK to action.
Kurt: It’s true, these hate groups are scary. I think a lot of them are just letting off steam by spewing out venom, but we still need to keep an eye on them.
TrekMedic251: I agree these are problems that you're pointing out, but I don’t share your hysteria about it. Yes, illegal aliens of any nationality should be deported when caught. And we definitely have a problem with gangs coming in from Latin America, Asia and Russia. These problems need to be dealt with.
But as far as La Raza (or the Black Panthers 30-odd years ago) overthrowing our government or taking back their land — fat chance. That’s about as likely as a 90-pound weakling beating up a 300-pound linebacker, stealing his car and moving into his house. Our intelligence and law enforcement need to keep an eye on dangerous organizations, but there's a difference between vigilance and paranoia.
Good to see you tag the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in your post today. The SPLC's latest newsletter has called out that there is indeed a small, burgeoning Hispanic hate movement way out west. Meanwhile, the Klan and Neo-Nazis get all kinds of help from Pat Buchanan's latest book, which is sheer racism cloaked in a "discussion of a reasonable immigration policy". There's nothing reasonable about that hoodlum in a necktie.
Tom, you are fooling yourself, have your head firmly planted in sand or are just obtuse.
I don't know what you are reading that told you there are millions of illegal Brits, Irish and Canadians, my friend, but whoever wrote that tripe was smoking some great ganja, ask them to pass the Dutchie to the right my friend.
Small survey....my Brit husband...Legal. His best friends, 3 Ukrainians, 2 Russians, 3 Irish dudes and a crazy Welsh guy... all legal.
I find it very telling that you latch on to the "math" and ignore the clear racist overtones in the man's statements. I see clearly that you "hear/read" very selectively.
Trekmedic knows of what is true, it's not hysteria, it's reality. Living here at the border I see it on the local news everynight. Sure, some come here for a better life, but guess what, so did my Brit husband, and he did it legally. He came here with 55 bucks, a small suitcase of clothes and a dream. And still did it legally.
Stop making excuses for the criminal invaders. They start their stay here by flaunting and breaking our laws. Then shun everything that made this country what it was, and is.
Tekmedic wasn't being in the least hysterical, he was telling like it is. Only he forgot to mention they also bring diseases like TB .... we're having a rash of it here in S.D. and it aint the legal locals bringing it on.
I don't believe that moving the subject from the KKK/Aryan Nations/skinheads/etc. to immigration does anything to address the root causes of racism. Although the groups Jenn mentions (Mecha and La Raza) sound interesting, I'm not sure how strongly organized they are in the U.S. I will also need to look them up further. Anyway, I don't think Tom is bagging on America and not mentioning similar groups from other countries on purpose because he is a mean old liberal who wants to make America look bad; I think he is merely pointing out that American racist groups are increasing in numbers, and that should be alarming to everybody who values what America stands for.
Far scarier to me than whether or not people from Mexico or people from other countries are in the US illegally is the way in which race-based hatred is being fomented in an alarming way. Having the issue of immigration reaching such prominence shouldn't have to lead to the development of a hatred or distrust of people from Mexico or people from other countries. The issue is not so much to do with people coming in to the U.S. as it is to do with sick people who are U.S. citizens, who are into eugenics and who are suspicious of anybody who is not like them. These types are motivated by fear, as I see it.
I wouldn't have the faintest idea as to where to begin combating racism and white supremacist groups, but one way to start might be to try and convice people not to look at immigrants as a menace, whether it's due to their skin color or to what their presence may or may not do to our economy.
I favor some kind of temporary amnesty for those illegal immigrants already in the U.S., with the aim of getting them to become contributing U.S. citizens within a certain amount of time, like maybe a year or so (?) or else be deported. If Bush was talking about doing something like that, it may be one of the only areas in which I agree with him. I will admit, I don't ALWAYS disagree with Bush, just like 99% of the time.
Mile High Pixie: Good ol’ Pat Buchanan. In some perverted way I admire him just because he's a maverick. Lots of Republicans and Conservatives can't stand him since he doesn’t toe the line for anyone. But he's as racist as they come. “Hoodlum in a necktie,” excellent description.
Jenn: Damn, I must have moved up on your speed dial. It usually takes you a day or 2 to come back and keep arguing after I’ve responded to your comments.
Now, as far as illegal immigration is concerned, I really don’t have an opinion. I’m generally pretty opinionated (Nooo!) but for some reason that issue is just too complex and cuts across too many party lines for me to have a firm opinion one way or another. Lots of conservatives (especially Libertarian/Conservatives) are in favor of a complete laissez-faire attitude towards all immigrants, legal and illegal. And lots of Liberals want a big crackdown on illegal immigrants since they're stealing jobs from American workers. (BTW, if you really want to get dragged through the mud, go to this site and tell them you want to crack down on illegal immigrants. It'll be fun.)
Anyway, about this “survey” of yours: 9 friends of your husband, all legal immigrants, and this has some sort of scientific/mathematical significance?? That’s sort of like a wealthy VIP saying “most Americans prefer Courvoisier over Grande Marnier when they're riding along in their private limousine.”
I saw your same comment at Mike V.’s blog about those feelthy Meskins bringing diseases into San Diego. Since I live at least 1,000 miles North of the Mexican border (I’m right on the Canadian border) I have no way of knowing anything about that. But if I remember right, Mike (who also lives in San Diego) seemed pretty skeptical in his response.
Snave: Thanks for sticking up for me, but I actually am a mean old liberal who wants America to die. (Just kidding!) You're right, the point of my post was the alarming fact (to me anyway) that racist/hate groups have grown so much in the past few years. I’m not gonna stick up for the Black Panthers or La Raza, but some of these white racist groups have a long bloody history of the worst kind of violence and terror. The fact that a bunch of Mexicans are gathered in a conference praising themselves and/or dissing Whites just isn’t as alarming. If these groups start committing violent acts (or preferably if a law enforcement agency can catch them redhanded before they commit their crimes) then obviously my opinion will change.
TB:
A report released in June from the International Community Foundation (ICF) in San Diego highlights a problem that will not be stopped by walls and fences—the spread of diseases like tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza between Tijuana and San Diego.
http://www.sandiegomag.com/media/San-Diego-Magazine/September-2006/Crossing-the-Border/
Mexican Violence:
"Federal prosecutors here announced the indictment Friday of a San Diego gang founder and other leaders of the Mexican Mafia prison gang on charges of running a massive crime syndicate in Southern California."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060616-9999-1bn16mafia.html
More....here....
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060617/news_1n17mafia.html
This one has a lot of info:
http://www.immigrationshumancost.org/text/crimevictims.html
In fact on the news everynight it's the same thing... south of the 8 freeway it bad, bad, bad.
My survey in not scientific, in that you are correct, but your limo analogy isn't exactly the same. I mean let's look at the numbers: That's 9 legal non-Mexicans....two Mexicans that also work @ my husbands place of business...ooooppps, you guessed it...illegally here.
Having lived amongst them, very closely, and listening to their stories of duping the government, drug running,how they send their money home and hate America and how they loathe pinje Americano's.....I've little love for them. I speak from my own personal experience.
A little more on La Raza and Mecha.
http://www.thesocialcontract.com/cgi-bin/showarticle.pl?articleID=910&terms
There is no question that we need comprehensive immigration reform.
It was not a priority of the last congress or the prez (and rightly so, illegals from Mexico coming here offer a staggering pool of slave labor for their buddies in the corporate world).
WE have to start making this a priority.
I really don't care if people come here from other countries.
Not sure whether I care if they come here illegally.
What I do care about are American jobs, slave labor and the degradation of wages for working people.
The middle class is shrinking and the lower classes are growing and wages are stagnant for every working person in this country.
We cannot have a huge labor pool of people streaming across the border for companies to exploit while simultaneously driving down ALL wages. And the myth of "jobs Americans won't do" isn't true anymore. Believe me, there are plenty of people who would love to swing a hammer or plumb a house being built. Just not at slave wages.
I love Mexican people, I love Mexican food and culture and I love living in a highly diverse city.
But we cannot keep the status quo.
Hell, in a sense, it's just one great reason for the racist assholes to fan their own flames of hatred.
We have to build a system where employers get busted HARD for violating labor laws. All labor laws.
We have to enforce our borders properly and we should assist those people that want to come to America. But in a way that is fair for everyone. Not just the corporations and the racists that are thriving off the current state of affairs.
Man, this should be a post of my own.. :)
Jenn: Interesting links. Like I was saying, I’m not too familiar with those problems or issues, but I’m always interested in learning new things. I live near Whidbey Island, where one of those murders (by an illegal alien) took place. That has to be the most tranquil idyllic place in the world (outside of that murder). We hadn’t moved up to this area yet when that happened (2002) so I never heard about it.
Mike: Yeah, there are definitely a lot of problems created by illegal immigration. Like I was saying to Jenn, I really don’t have a firm opinion on what to do. Every time I hear a passionate argument that “these immigrants have the kind of drive and ambition that America was founded on,” or “American workers are being screwed by illegal immigrants; we need to crack down on them,” I just think “hmmm, good point.” But I do think that if the Powers That Be wanted to crack down on illegal immigrants, they could. A lot of the large companies who exploit illegal cheap labor are the same corporate donors who own Congress. These “representatives” aren’t gonna jeopardize their cash cow, so all they do is make soundbites about “cracking down,” “closing the border” and “saving American jobs” without any intention of actually doing anything.
I agree with you about Mexican people (and food). There aren’t too many Mexicans up where I live now, but when I was in the Navy and when I lived in California I knew a lot of them. I don’t want to sound like Will Rogers or some stereotypical Liberal, but I think every Mexican person I’ve known has been just a really down-to-earth, likeable person. Just my take on it.
FWIW, when it comes to food, I also like Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, French, BBQ, etc... :)
Mike: I second all of those. Anything that's spicy; the hotter the better.
Here is a link for Jenn, it shows how we solved the Mexican Problem once and perhaps can do it again
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/conquest5.html
Imagine a terrorist group that went unchecked for almost a hundred years, doing random lynchings, harassment and acts of Vandalism which full knowledge and condonment of the Government. Al Queda, Hamas and the Taliban were never had the freedoms as the American KKK has had over the years. Many Politicians (especially southern) were members of either the Klan or their upper class faction the White Citizens Councils.
The FBI has FULL details of Klan activity and like the mob, did nothing about it preferring instead to pick on groups like the Labor Unions, The Communist Party, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement as well as the Black Panthers and the Brown Berets (separate from the La Raza). It was Lyndon Johnson a southerner who hated the Klan who finally forced Hoover to do something about the Klan. Their solution, pay informants who actively participated in the atrocities (which would get them thrown out as credible witnesses in today's courts)
It's not even funny that I am reading now that groups started to counter Society's unchecked, obvious and (sometimes) illegal racism and bring pride to their besieged communities are being compared to the Klan. I knew of no groups of color that could go to white person's house drag him out and hang him in a public with impunity and full view of the law.
Do you?
People talk about the Cop Hating Panthers but no one talks about how the Bay Area Police ACTIVELY sent recruiters to the deep south looking for Police Officers (ie Rednecks) experienced with dealing with Blacks. Which caused groups like the Panthers to form.
This Country has a history of going after left wing and "hate" groups of color while practically ignoring the white groups. Southern Law Poverty Center has done more to fight these groups then Law Enforcement.
They have a deeper Agenda, they talk about immigrants but they also hate Catholics, Jews, People of Color, Integration and are sexist as well while celebrating Hitler as a Hero.
I would no more confuse racial pride and Civil Rights groups with the gangsters then I would the Klan with Mobsters.
Reminds me of when Stokely Carmichael said "black power" to emphasize more black influence in the Political and Financial system many white Americans got paranoid that blacks who going to just walking through their neighborhoods gunning them down.
Sounds like that attitude hasn't changed.
As for Immigration as I have posted previously I have worked for 3 major manufacturing firms which Openly recruited illegal immigration. You can rail about illegals if you want but the simple fact is they are invited here. Unfortunately they have to fend for themselves. You can solve the problems by enforcing the companies (the big ones, not the construction contractor who always get it) that hire them. More good jobs get taken from those H-1 Visas and Outsourcing then Illegal Immigration. Think about it: Every time Business and Conservative rail about Minimum Wage,Quality health care and Safe Workers Environment as being too expensive it a because it would ruin their Illegal Immigration racket.
In the Meantime, Congress wants to spend hundreds of Millions of your money to make a wall on the Mexican Border.
As for White Illegal Immigration it is real and substantial. For Example A 1980 Census revealed over 100,000 illegal Irish Immigrants in New York City Alone who not only flaunt it but say they have no fear of backlash from Americans.
My Canadian Wife would tell me that Border Canadians commonly commute to the US daily to work there without authorization and cross the border back home, make higher American wages and have no worry about being deported or arrested.
Erik
Erik: Excellent link and historical rundown (and comment). You'll probably want to keep an eye on this comment section; Jenn is even more persistent than James (the person you were arguing with over Juneteenth) as far as having to get the last word in.
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