Racist Groups Seize Opportunity During Obama Presidency
Barak Obama’s election gave rise to one burning question: “What impact would this event have on race relations?” The buzz was palpable and debates raged in barbershops, airwaves, newspapers, and various blogs on the Internet. One of the debates taking place at that time within white nationalist networks was how to capitalize should Obama win. The argument put forward was this, “If Obama wins we can truly tell everyone that this is no longer a conspiracy; it’s true; our country has been taken away from us.”
There are the overtly violent groups such as the Aryans, Nazi Low Riders, The Order, Norse gangs and numerous others that remain on the fringe. But there is another movement that is much more subtle. These pro white groups have made inroads into many areas of America. They are guided by figures that routinely use pseudo science, pseudo religion and heavy doses of charisma to woo new followers. Hard times often create willing converts.
For them, Obama’s presidency was an indicator of just how far this country has deteriorated. Hate groups armed with radical, racist teachings are asserting their positions openly and gaining followers via their websites along the way. The election has became a rallying cry and call to action to regain favor with God and reassert White supremacy at all levels of society.
In fact a trend has been occurring for some time. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, racist groups have increased from 602 to 926, a 54% increase since 2000 with a 4% increase in 2008. There is also self reported data from the groups themselves. David Duke reported to CNN that he has had an increase in visitors to his website from 15,000 a day to 40,000 since Obama’s election. This is consistent with what other supremacist have reported.
The increasing numbers of stressors in our society have created a near perfect storm of setting events; recession, war and immigration issues are three of the hubs. Opportunistic leaders know that in times of trouble, fear mongering will always get an audience. White supremacists have strategic aims when they preach their gospel. “The premise of diversity is evil and the promise of favor with God is only for the chosen ones.” They offer a remedy for all of the ills of society based on racial separation and purity. This message is being boldly taken to the streets, airwaves and streets. Groups like Stormfront have become popular online sites with their emphasis on White power.
White empowerment is the new message. It’s a doctrine that has been revised to reflect the aspirations of their people, and the greatness of a euro-centric society. White Nationalist groups such as the Knights party, followers of former Klansmen David Duke, Arkansas based White Revolution, and numerous others continue to recruit followers. Everything they do is, according to them, is based in their devotion to White people and these meetings are occurring frequently in many places across America.
Newsweek wrote an article after visiting Zinc Indiana an interviewing on such group. The title was: “Rebranding Hate in the Age of Obama.” The aim of the author, Eve Conant, was to grasp a better understanding of what race based groups are doing. She found a strange normalcy to be present at the meeting. The messages were carefully phrased in terms of love and preservation. Thomas Robb, the Executive Director for the Christian Revival Center, posed this question: “Why is it that when a Black man wants to preserve his culture and heritage it’s a good thing, and when a white person wants the same thing, we’re called haters? ” It’s a logical question, but the the answer to the question is simple. It’s because people like Thomas want to take folks back to a day when racism and oppression were social norms. Those were the good old days in their view. These groups remind us that there is still a lot of work to be done. This was confirmed by a recent Gallup poll that revealed there has been little change in the viewpoints of many Americans regarding race since Obama’s election. Race is still an issue we have to overcome.
