NCJ Number
146272
Journal
Klanwatch Intelligence Report Issue: 47 Dated: (December 1989) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1989
Length
46 pages
Annotation
A review of hate violence and white supremacy in the decade 1980-1990 is presented.
Abstract
The white supremacist movement in the 1980s grew out of its historic stereotype, adding many minorities to its list of enemies, exploiting a variety of sensitive issues, and broadening its geographic scope. In their search for a broader support base, white supremacists modified their programs to appeal to white people of all ages, regions and concerns. With Klan popularity down and fewer willing recruits, hate groups began to look for new ways to make their message heard. They took advantage of new technology, economic disaster and the trials of adolescence and incarceration to win supporters for their cause. Although the 1980s saw a decline in hate group membership, the level of violence intensified. With the crimes of the Order and the onset of skinhead terrorism, Americans could no longer try to view hate groups as obscure nuisances. The 1980s was for many Americans a decade of awakening to the threat of hate violence. The major challenge of the 1990s will be combating hate crime, whether or not it is committed by organized white supremacists, and finding ways to counter the message of white supremacy, especially among the expanding youth audience. This document contains a chronology of hate-crimes and related incidents during the decade; a map and listing of white supremacist groups in the United States in 1989; a listing of hate crimes grouped by year and by type; information on related documents available from Klanwatch.