We Stand For White Supremacy

"We Stand for White Supremacy":

A Dilemma for a Ku Klux Klan Member

Introduction to Literature

Race is a very complex and conflicted issue that has faced our country for quite sometime. The influence of racism and racial prejudice is constantly reflected throughout many different means; media, music, and literature (Brown, 1999). Racism is an attitude, an action, or an institutional organization that subordinates individuals or groups of individuals because of physical characters, such as skin color and body features (Brown, 1999, p.88). Racism has also been thought of a multidimensional construct in that the cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspect of one's personality is targeted to negatively influence other lives.

There are many white supremacy groups that are changing as their culture is transforming into decentralized and non-traditional organizations. Their have been a modification in the individuals allowed to join these groups, how these groups operate, and the possibility of getting out once a member (Kreger, 2003). Youth and college educated members are becoming more well-known in the culture, as well as a rise in female indoctrination into more and more white supremacy groups (Kreger, 2003).

About 25,000 Americans can be considered hardcore ideological activists for the white supremacy movement which only counts for a small portion of the white population (Blee, 2002). There are close to 300 white cultural and religious organizations, yet none of the orders seem to compare. The following is a list of the current and major active white supremacy groups:

 Aryan Nation

 The Holy Order

 The Silent Brotherhood

 Church of the Creator

 Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

 Neo-Nazi Party

 Skinheads

 United Whites Peoples' Party

These groups have been known to have great hate for all who are not white and have strong philosophies on white ethnicity and orientation (Blee, 2002). Different groups have their own rivalries and controversy, although they still follow the same doctrine of the movement. White supremacy is a serious subject in our society historically and today. These groups have stationed themselves in different areas around the world. Some white supremacy groups are only in certain areas. Many of these groups consider themselves as non-violent and rather challenge the government in efforts to improve their supremacy movement (Almaguer, 1994). Their have been many attempts by these groups to recruit members through many different means including the internet, music, magazines, rallies (Bostdorff, 2004). These efforts of recruitment have shown to be targeted towards a new audience where it may produce more female and youthful members. There are websites that recruit new members to all of the white supremacist groups.

Most white supremacists organizations can be found in various locations demographically. There has been large representation of the groups in the United States, Australia, Europe, South Africa, and a bit of Latin America (White Supremacy, 2005). Throughout the years the organization that has grown the fastest is the Ku Klux Klan. The Ku Klux Klan is one the oldest and most frightful groups in the United States for many years. Motivated by the dream of having a world that is only run by one master race, the Ku Klux Klan has been known to display scenes of violence and hate in order to get society to view their foundation (Bostdorff, 2004). The Ku Klux Klan has been in the darkness for over 100 years and has continued to strive even today. Their ideals have revolved around them targeting Blacks and anyone else who stands in the way of the white government.

Recently, there have been more and more sightings and developments of Ku Klux Klan groups in several states. The Ku Klux Klan groups have been marked by many tracking organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (2004). In an article by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project they listed the organizations and chapters that were active in 2004 categorized by state. By stating the groups were active it includes marches, criminal acts, rallies, meetings, speeches, and publishing ("Active US, 2004).

The following map shows 762 white supremacy/ hate groups in the United States. These are a combination of all the groups together ("Active US, 2004):

Figure 1.1 Active U.S. Hate Groups

There are more than 26 different Ku Klux Klan groups in the United States, mostly located in the southern region. The largest group as of the turn of the century is located and headquartered out of Harrison, Arkansas and is rapidly growing (Ross, 1994).

This next map shows the amount of Ku Klux Klan active groups who practice the hatred of not only Blacks but have also targeted homosexuals, Jews, immigrants (Mexicans), and now Catholics ("Active US, 2004).

Figure 1.2 Active Ku Klux Klan Chapters in the US

Membership of the Ku Klux Klan

Some of the assumptions made towards racist groups today show the possibility of all members having problematic tendencies, cultural and societal institutions promote and are affected, and keeping it a secret issue leads to its continuation (Locke and Kiselica, 1999). Common discriminatory myths regarding white supremacists ideals include (Kiselica, 1998):

 The curability of the racist mentality

 The manifestation of blatant and violent acts

 The acts are executed during isolated occurrences

 Racism comes and goes such that of a trend

 A person is not racist if they interact with those of different cultures and race

The Ku Klux Klan has many beliefs and doctrines that they abide by while being a member of the order. These ideals are followed and taught to those who decide they want to stay members. Their ideals have been passed down through many generations and are clearly stated in a manual. It has been misinterpreted during the years that men were the only active members of the Ku Klux Klan because of the women