In today’s society where differences between people are magnified and everyone is discussing diversity, tensions between different groups are remarkably high. The extreme of this tension is brought out in hate groups. Hate groups play off of the stereotypes of specific peoples. They use these generalities in their relentless and often violent persecution of those different from themselves. There are many groups that practice in such ways, most of them preaching white supremacy. The main goal of these groups is the advancement of the white race by the segregation of other cultures from society.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is probably the best known of these groups. They have been around since the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The KKK was set up to build an all white society based on Christian beliefs. They claim that they are not the enemy of non-white, non-Christian people. They believe that all races would benefit from separation from each other because everyone would work better if they are surrounded by their own kind. The KKK states “Our purpose is to unite, organize, and educate the white Aryan masses world wide to the dangers that face our race, culture, and Christian civilization” (web).
They also claim that they don’t tolerate people of immoral character in their society such as drug users and dealers, thieves, or child abusers, yet they have a history of killing blacks and Jews just because they aren’t white Christians. They also have a 12 point system of political beliefs that gives one a good idea of what the Klan is about: 1) stop immigration 2) drug tests for people on welfare 3) quarantine everyone with AIDS 4) makethe purchase of American lands illegal for non-Americans 5) no free trade with other countries that hurts American workers 6) death penalty for repeat drug offenders 7) workfare not welfare 8) American troops on the border to stop illegal immigrants 9) no affirmative action 10) all laws controlling guns should be unconstitutional 11) bring back the Bible into society 12) stop abortion. Also a white supremacist group, Posse Comitatus is very concerned the removal of Jewish people from American society. They feel that Jews are literally the children of Satan and are a very militaristic hate group. Over 85% of their members are war veterans.
They also claim that communism is a Jewish idea. Another of these groups is the Aryan Nation. They area Neo-Nazi organization with close ties to the KKK and Posse Comitatus. The National Alliance is also a Neo-Nazi who want an all white society. They even want cultural differences between groups of whites it be eliminated. They want their society to be free of non white influences also such as jazz or rock music since they were pioneered by blacks.
Another type of white supremacist is the skinhead. They are characterized by their shaved heads. One skinhead group is the White Aryan Resistance (WAR) based in southern California. It is run by Tom Metzger, a former member of the KKK who unsuccessfully ran for senator in 1980. They want the restoration of the white race, which has become the minority worldwide (15%). An example of the way they think is this: If Florida wants to let Caribbean refugees into their state let them; but the second those refugees try to cross into Georgia, the white citizens will use whatever force they have to keep them out.
The Hammerskins are also a skinhead group. They are a very international group with strong followings in Britain, Australia, Germany, and Canada. The German Hammerskins consider themselves living in the fatherland of the white race. The Australians want to uphold the values of their European forefathers. The Canadians consider themselves warriors of this day in age like the Vikings of their time. They even uphold their Viking heritage by referring to Canada as Vinland (Canada being a Native American name and Vinland recognizing the Vikings).
Hammerskins are another group that is trying to achieve white supremacy because they believe its their birth right. Also falling under the white supremacy category is the World Church of the Creator. They were “established for the survival expansion and advancement of the white race” (web). They preach white supremacy and a theology called Creativity.
They feel that since the white race has been responsible for most of the advancements in human society throughout history, they should be in power. There are also hate groups other than those about white supremacy. The Jewish Defense League is an anti Arab organization. They often protest Arab activities in Israel. Another group is the Nation of Islam. This group is anti-white and anti-Semitic.
It is based on the teachings that whites are devils created in an evil scientists’ experiment. Militias can also be considered hate groups. They are very anti-government and often very militaristic. They are rapidly spreading across the United States especially in the southwest and midwest. There are many organizations out there that hate people who are different than themselves. These are just a few of the hate groups out there.
Hate is a spreading problem in the world today without a simple solution. We must make an effort to curb the spread of violence and hate as we head into the 21 st century. Works Consulted web.