NCJ Number
181108
Journal
Intelligence Report Issue: 96 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 24-27
Editor(s)
Mark Potok
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A sociologist having investigated and worked with white supremacist youth, in the United States and Europe discusses the roots of racism and offers his views on the motivations and psychology of white supremacist youth and the social milieu that produces them.
Abstract
He found a wide range of personality types, but the one thing the American youths had in common was fear that the country they grew up with was disappearing. They experienced a great deal of frustration, and most of the hard core youths encountered first-hand or second-hand downward mobility. In response, they joined hate groups and were often recruited by racist groups that went into areas characterized by economic or racial change. Music served to stimulate involvement in and loyalty to hate groups. The sociologist believes that high school youth need to have critical thinking skills to resist recruitment by hate groups and to recognize the rewards of accepting diversity. 2 photographs