Perspective of Hate

I know we like to hide the ugliness going on in America, but there is one strong thing we cannot ignore anymore: hate crimes. After watching American History X, I was motivated to start digging into hate crimes and groups within our own, very great nation. Coates specifically stated in his readings that, “terrorism roiled the South” and recounted several types of vicious acts. Is his terminology justified? Terrorism, as defined by FBI, is “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” So, let us go back to a prominent “hate group” in America, the Neo-Nazi Skinheads. Would Coates settle for the terminology “hate group” or would he lean more towards “terrorists?” If I had to guess, he would very easily call them a terrorist organization rather than hate group and the “White Nationalist/National Socialist Movement” title the media gives them.

The thing that American History X woke me up to was how hate groups truly feel about other people they deem inferior to them. You hear about how bad hate groups, like the Skinheads are, but you never witness such pure hatred up front. Honestly, you never really think about their reasoning because it seems absolutely and completely absurd. Why would you? You do not want to see into their views, but honestly, I think that it is important to know them in order to dismantle those same views.

Mills’ writing focuses more on the metaphysics of race and different perspectives related to how people view race. For the purpose of consistency, I will continue with the group American History X focused on, the previously mentioned Neo-Nazi Skinheads. For this group, “racial realist” seems to fit them the most. This group views fellow black Americans as inferior and feel discriminated against. The video linked here shows you a snippet of their beliefs. I am linking it because I don’t want to see their faces on this post, honestly. The group thinks there are natural reasons white people deserve to have the superior aspect in America. Another characteristic of this view is the link to ancestry. In Problem Case II (p.58), most realists consider race biological and ancestral. If there is any drop of black blood, they are deemed inferior.

So how do we dismantle it? Do we just build a bridge and hope that people get over the racial discrimination here in America? For that explanation, I will turn to an article about Christian Picciolini, a former Neo-Nazi Skinhead speaking on what happened in Charlottesville. One of the main things he says is challenging ideology (you could also make them take a blood test to prove their "whiteness"). Take their naturalistic views and break the misconception. Show them that skin color does not equal intelligence or personality. Something that is easier said than done. Dismantling racism is going to take years and not everyone is going to decide that is the right ideology. I also think that recognition needs to occur for America. Like Coates mentioned, Germany was unwilling to face its history at first, but it has made movement through public shame of its past. Reparations need to be given – whether in a sense of political or economic fashion. It’s the least us white people can do for a group that has been systematically oppressed and discriminated against.  If we make it know that racism is alive and real, maybe groups like the Skinheads will come into the light of reality that they need.

To end this post, I want to say how HARD it was to watch American History X. The lack of knowledge and ignorance hurt me to see. One of the most compelling scenes is definitely the poster of the movie, but I won't spoil it. Just know that I have no idea how hate groups are so.......hate-y.