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American Swastika

Published by USC Bedrosian Center on

If the Alt-Right is a re-branding of the old hateful ideology we have seen historically in the United States, is it time to take a look at the hidden movements which the Alt-Right is trying to polish for the light of day?

In American Swastika: Inside the White Power Movement’s Hidden Spaces of Hate (2nd edition), Pete Simi and Robert Futrell look at the white power movement. Over 15 years of interviews allow the authors to use real stories to focus on white power families and the different ways the white power movement indoctrinates the next generation of white power warriors.

We discuss the different types of groups, the different gateways people take into the movement, the ties that bind them, the family life, the “safe spaces” that bring them together and form deep bonds between members. We also discuss the important role safe spaces play, and the role they play within the larger cultural context today. Taking away the freedom to express themselves would have catastrophic consequences.

What is the big picture of extremist violence in the United States? What are the things we, as citizens, can and should do to combat hatred and violence?

Featuring Aubrey Hicks, Joanna Mendelson, and Erroll Southers

Follow us on Twitter: @BedrosianCenter @AubreyHi @jo_mendelson @esouthersHVE

To listen to the Bedrosian Book Club discussion of American Swastika click the orange arrow in the Soundcloud player here on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play

 

 

Links & further reading:

Anti-Defamation League
Leo Frank
A Dark and Constant Rage: 25 Years of Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States
White Power Music
KKK Remains Active in 33 States
Oklahoma City National Memorial

“We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.”

Oklahoma City National Memorial

With Hate in Their Hearts
Home is Where the Bunker Is
doxxing
Why Do Some People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?
The Renaissance of Intellectual Racism
Tuner Diaries
William Pierce
917 Hate Groups are currently operating in the US. The SPLC Hate Map.
Break out of your bubble
A representation of the silos we live in: Wool by Hugh Howey

Next Month …

 
Tears We Cannot Stop’ is a lament, originating from within the grieving heart of black America, aimed directly at white readers who are often too frightened, or indifferent, or ashamed, to look a man like Michael Eric Dyson in the eyes. I can only hope that others will read and be changed by this book. It ends with a desperate plea for white Americans to rise up in defense of, and in solidarity with, our African-American brothers and sisters. In response, I say simply: Amen.
-Patick Phillips in the New York Times Book Review
 
 
Read along with us! Let us know what you think of the book or the podcasts at Facebook or Twitter.

This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by Corey Hedden.

@AubreyHi @jonHLYP @coreyhedden

Bedrosian Center