EXTREMIST GROUPS IN AMERICA

by Susan S. Lang ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1990

In a well-organized journalistic survey that uses extensive quotes from periodicals--ranging from USA Today to the Ithaca Journal to more scholarly works--Lang paints a chilling picture of groups that prey on the psychology of insecurity to provoke hate and violence. Most are white racist and anti-Semitic (the Ku Klux Klan, skinheads, ""religious"" groups in the Identity movement) and on the far right; leftist groups, diminished since their 60's heyday, appear in one chapter, mostly about Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. Lang is fair and moderate, considering her subject (there's no doubt that she Finds the aims and means of these groups abhorrent). She makes clear the roots of virulent hate; gives a modicum of hope as legal remedies (recent laws against religious vandalism and paramilitary training) become more widespread; but cautions that bigotry and racial violence are on the rise from grass roots to college campuses. She also presents the ACLU dilemma of defending the free speech of those who plot to destroy it, then describes the climate needed to dispel fanatical attitudes. The b&w photos are well chosen to emphasize the grim reality of extremist zeal--especially when people are shown including their children in their activities. There are minor glitches: describing the Founding Fathers as early extremists is illogical in this context, since their message was not founded on irrational hate; and Lang baldly states that nationalism ""can be a good thing [as] the driving force behind any army."" Still, an excellent introduction to an important facet of our society. Full notes; bibliography; index.

Pub Date: March 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 174

Publisher: Watts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S