Should African Americans form a Defense League against Hate Groups?

[itzamirakul]

From: Southern Poverty Law Center Report
Volume 36, Number 1
March, 2006

Hate group numbers top 800

The number of hate groups in the United States reached new heights in 2005. The Intelligence Project counted 803 hate groups active, a jump of more than five percent since 2004 and a more than 30 percent rise since 2000, when there were 602.

"There's no doubt that the white supremacist movement is growing -- we've seen a substantial jump in the number of hate groups in just the last five years," said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project. "And unfortunately much of that growth has been in the most violent sectors of the movement, skinheads and Chrisitian Identity adherents."

Many factors have spurred the white supremacist movement's growth. They include globalization, involving economic dislocations that have hurt many people and also a dramatic rise in immigration in many countries, both of which have fueled intolerance; the Internet, which has helped the radical right get its ideology out to the broader public; and white power music, which has become the most important way of recruiting young people.

The skinhead movement, a particularly violent sector of the white supremacist movement made up primarily of young males, continued an expansion that began two years ago. Skinheads are often involved in hate crime violence. One of the largest such groups, the Keystone State Skinheads, has two leaders up on charges of attempted murder for attacks on minoritities and non-racist skinheads. Prominent skinheads established several new hate music vendors in the last year, which will allow these groups to capture profits from the white power music trade.

<snip>

The number of Ku Klux Klan groups was up by 12 over 2004. Some Klan groups have moved into the hate music business, hoping to attract skinhead buyers.

The neo-Nazi movement remained in disarray in 2005, losing one chapter.

<snip>

Relying on the Center's documentation, CNN and other media are reporting on the increasing numbers. "It's quite important that the public understand the nature and dimension of the extemist threat in this country," Potok said.

***
Katrina showed us that we do not have enough military troops at home to defend any place that is in danger. Are we at a point where endangered groups need to form their own militias for safety's sake?

I have often wondered why African Americans have not felt more threatened by these hate groups and have not taken steps to defend its communities with Defense Groups. But then, of course, if any group of blacks formed self-defense militias to defend its members, they would all probably be thrown right into prison and labeled "thieves", "drug-dealers," or some other type of criminal.

[Horse with no Name]

1. If I were a person of *any* color in the US right now

I would be fearful.

[babylonsister]

2. I swear, our country is going backward. nt

[Horse with no Name]

3. And not just in baby steps either. n/t

[porphyrian]

4. I thought that was what the Panthers and Nation of Islam did.

And, yes, both groups have been labelled criminals and thrown into jail.

[itzamirakul]

5. To the best of my knowledge the Panthers stopped being a "militia"

as far back as the 1970s (I think).

I know that at one time the NOI did have a defense arm. I do not know if that area is still operative or not. Funny, though how so many people hate Farrakhan and the NOI far more than they hate any of the white supremacist groups.

[porphyrian]

9. Farrakhan says some things that piss people off.

When the generalization is on the other foot, some White people can't handle it. He's also used some language that was anti-Semetic, though I'm not sure about the context in which he used it. While I don't personally agree with everything he says (some of it is pretty out there), I do think he serves an important function in defying the status quo and helping to free Blacks from the pre-civil rights movement mentality which unfortunately still exists, especially in the South, due to institutionalized racism and classism.

[itzamirakul]

12. Granted, Farrakhan does say some things that seem aimed at making

SOMEONE very angry, but on the whole, I have to say that I, too, agree with many, many things that he says and I do consider him a very brilliant man.

If the need to protect African Americans in America should become a reality, we are going to be on our own. The new immigrants, regardless of color, are not going to fight for us. They will take the side of the majority because that is where their bread is buttered.

Remember the riots in California after the "Why can't we all just get along" King verdict? If you remember correctly, nearly all the looting was carried out by hispanics, yet the news media kept flying over and saying that the looters were black, just as they did in NOLA following Katrina. They tell these damned lies even though our eyes are telling us the truth.

So, if we ever need protection from some of these white home-grown terrorist groups, because that is exactly what these white hate groups are...African Americans had better have their own guns, bullets and support groups.

[jody]

6. In Montgomery Alabama, African Americans are well armed and will not

sit as spectators if hate crimes occur. IMO, that's true in every state that recognizes a law-abiding citizen's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

One should not ignore the several million African Americans who served their country honorably in various military positions in war and peace. They will rise up as one to resist hate crimes and they're already trained to use arms in an organized way.

[MadMaddie]

7. As an African American I have felt more threatened since

the * Cabal has come into office...the extremist threat has increased since he has been in office....

The Repugs would have you believe that Racism does not exist anymore and that's why they attacking EEOC laws and rules....Blacks in America were never fooled....these hate groups have always flourished under Repug Presidents.....

What's even more disheartening is that the Neocon churches have been given the power to attack gays, minorities and any other group without tough policing...this is the danger area....

Now for a reality check...if these hate groups and these hate churches attack blacks, latinos, asians, gays, liberals or any other groups they will have a rude awakening...we will fight back.....

The NAACP is one of the black organizations that stood at the forefront on these kind of issues but they have not been as effective as they used to be...poor leadership...internal fighting etc....

[itzamirakul]

8. If you want to see true "racism" at work in America just watch a couple

of episodes of "Cops."

[MadMaddie]

10. I have seen it...my Dad who is the nicest guy you will

ever meet has always said, "Don't be fooled, Racism is alive and well" and he says that if this country is not careful there will be another Civil war...within the country..

[itzamirakul]

11. A new Civil War is exactly what these white sumpremacist group

members WANT to see happen. They have NEVER gotten over losing what they considered to be "their property"...namely...African American slaves and that is the main reason there are so many groups who fight and re-fight these battles every single year (although, they CLAIM that these re-staged battles are for historical purposes...yeah - right!)

Before the war in Iraq, these white militias used to "train" and practice military procedures back in the hills and wood country, although it was never explained WHY they were training or WHY the government allowed them to keep arms of the type that only soldiers needed to use.

Now that there is fighting going on in Iraq and Afghanistran, I think every single one of those people, men and women, who were in those militias, should be sent to the front lines, since they love fighting so much and practiced so hard.

In actuality, they were practicing here in America for what they hoped would be the coming "race war" or second "Civil War."

[MadMaddie]

14. You are probably right...

I agree...let those in the militias sign up and go fight their bloody wars...

[BlooInBloo]

16. DU is more convinced than not that racism doesn't exist too...

... anytime racism comes up, there are 1000 DUers right there waiting to say "this isn't about race". Everytime. Without fail.

The refusal to believe in racism, on the part of a large segment of DU, is what allows racism to continue.

I suggest that in addition to blaming and worrying about the racists, you also worry about and blame the racism-enablers.

[Binka]

13. Become A Friend Of The SPLC It Is A Great Organization

I give a monthly donation to the SPLC and it is one of my favorite organizations. If you can afford it please give to the SPLC!http://www.splcenter.org/index.jsp

[maveric]

15. They had one in the 60's. "Deacons for Defense".

http://www.africanaonline.com/orga_deacons_for_defense.htm
http://www.nathanielturner.com/deaconsfordefense.htm
Their tactics pissed MLK off because he was for peaceful means. These dudes were ARMED AND READY.