Hate groups increase in 1997, despite strong economy.Fueled by racist religious groups, white-power rock `n' roll music, and Internet propaganda, the number of organized hate groups in the United States grew by an alarming 20 percent last year. At last count, there are 474 of these groups, according to a new report. The figures were released by the Intelligence Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is an internationally known nonprofit organization that files Class Action lawsuits to fight discrimination and unequal treatment; it also tracks hate groups and runs a program to educate Americans about racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of in its latest annual report. The watchdog group, based in Montgomery, Alabama, has been tracking hate groups in the United States since 1981. Interestingly, hate groups increased despite a robust economy. Experts have usually associated an increase with harsh economic times. "The tentacles of the hate movement are reaching places where they've never been before," said Joe Roy, director of the Intelligence Project. "Mainstream America is being targeted in a way that this country hasn't seen in decades." Highlights of the report follow. * Of the 474 hate groups, 127were Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan (k  ' klŭks klăn), designation mainly given to two distinct secret societies that played a part in American history, although other less important groups have also used organizations; 100
were neo-Nazi; 81 were of the Christian Identity religion, which
identifies whites as the Bible's chosen people and Jews as satanic;
42 were skinhead skinheadMember of an international youth subculture characterized by hair and dress styles evoking aggression and physical toughness. Typical skinhead style includes shaved heads, combat boots, tattoos, and prominent body piercings. ; 12 were black separatist and included the Nation of Islam Nation of Islam: see Black Muslims. Nation of Islam or Black Muslims African American religious movement that mingles elements of Islam and black nationalism. It was founded in 1931 by Wallace D. ; and 112 followed a hodgepodge of hate-based doctrines. * Young people, including upper-middle-class teenagers, are prime targets for hate group recruitment. Youths who may not have considered attending a Klan rally are exposed to at least 163 hate sites on the Internet and the marketing of the purveyors of violently racist rock music. * Two leading neo-Nazi organizations grew significantly--the World Church of the Creator The Church of the Creator is an Oregon-based church founded by Rev. Dr. Grace Marama in 1969. It was originally established as Grace House Prayer Ministry and first used its present name in 1974. and the National Alliance, led by the author of The Turner Diaries, the novel that served as a blueprint for the Oklahoma City federal building bombing. * Some elements of the Ku Klux Klan have exploded in size. The surge is led by the American Knights of the KKK, which mushroomed from 1 to 12 chapters in 1997. * In a major study of the Christian Identity religion, the Intelligence Project found that it has some 50,000 followers. Identity adherents recently in the news include Eric Rudolph, a suspect in the January 29, 1998, bombing of a Birmingham, Alabama, abortion clinic. * Resistance Records, a Detroit record company whose music contains murderous white-power lyrics, sold about 50,000 compact discs last year. * According to a map included in the report, active hate groups exist in 44 states. Only Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). , North Dakota, Rhode Island Rhode Island, island, United States Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. , and Wyoming remain free of organized hate groups. * Of the 474 organized groups, Florida has the most, with 48; California has 35; Illinois, 26; Louisiana, North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. , and Pennsylvania, 21 each; Ohio, 19; Alabama and Texas, 18 each; Georgia, 16; Missouri, 15; Michigan, 14; Mississippi and Virginia, 13 each; Kentucky, 12; Oregon, 11; Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin, 10 each; New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , 9; Arkansas, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. , 8 each; Arizona, 7; Colorado, New Jersey, and West Virginia, 5 each; Kansas and Montana, 4 each; Nebraska and Nevada, 3 each; Alaska and Utah, 2 each; Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Vermont, 1 each. * Since the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., in 1995, the Nation of Islam has continued to attract new followers. This year--for the first time--the Intelligence Project lists the Nation and its principal chapters as hate groups. Although the Nation has not been involved in political violence, its tenets are based on racial hatred, the report said. Copies of the report may be obtained by calling the Southern Poverty Law Center at (334) 264-0286. |
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