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January 14, 2009

Economic Woes Encourage Rise of Hate Groups

Economic Woes Encourage Rise of Hate Groups

The number of hate groups in the United States is on the rise, a trend that some see as directly correlated to the failing economy. There are now at least 888 known hate  groups in the country, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Jim Cavanaugh of the Anti-Defamation League told The Washington Post that "the Internet, immigration and the economic crisis -- that is the molten mixture for these guys."

As the world delves deeper into uncertain economic times, veteran investigators in the United States have started to pay more attention to supremacists and radicals who harm certain minority groups to make a point, the Post reported Monday. In addition to fiscal troubles, rising immigration and the reality of a black man in the White House may be enough to push some extremists over the edge.

As the number of hate groups increases, the number of hate crimes committed against gays and lesbians has also seen a rise in the past year. FBI figures show that such attacks increased by 6% from 2006 to 2007, while the number for all hate crimes had dropped slightly (1% in the same time period). Race-based incidents made up a majority of the 7,624 hate crimes reported in 2007.

While federal investigators have been able to intercept plans for violent acts, one infamous group is heading to Washington, D.C. to protest the inauguration of President Obama. The antigay Westboro Baptist Church, which the Southern Poverty Law Center deems a hate group, will no doubt make headlines during its protest of Obama, who supports many gay-related causes and is pro-choice. (Advocate.com)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2009-01-14 11:23 AM
    Hometown: Fort Worth

    Comment:

    The only bright side to this is that it provides an opportunity for people of color & the LGBT community to find common ground & set a foundation for understanding.


  • Name: Shirley
    Date posted: 2009-01-13 4:49 PM
    Hometown: Paducah,Ky.

    Comment:

    The problem with hate groups is that they don't turn their anger in the right direction. It is the policy makers of the last 8 years and the greedy arrogence of people like the wall street liars and thiefs and crooked CEO's that have brought this Nation to near ruin. They are the people that should incur their wrath. They live in mansions in their gated communities and look down their noses at the honest working class. When the crap hits the fan we have them to thank!!


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2009-01-13 3:28 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Of COURSE hate groups are on the rise... In a failing economy people, fearing the unknown, turn against anything or anyONE they don't understand or relate to. How do you think Hitler came to power in Germany? Their economy was a mess and he played on their latent anti-semitism to whip up support. With a convenient scape-goat to focus on; the Germans forgot their own problems. It happened then and it can happen NOW! The victory of Prop. 8., in California; reputedly the most liberal state in the nation, has emboldened right-wingnuts and hate-mongers all over the country. It's open season on LGBT people. Now more than ever, we need to STAND UP for our rights and DEMAND our elected officials stop paying us lip service and actually DO something.


  • Name: Beau
    Date posted: 2009-01-13 3:19 PM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    Unfortunately, this is a historical pattern. Communism happened in Russia during the post-WW I slump; Nazis and Fascists took over in the Depression; and Soviets built the Berlin Wall during the post-WW II crash. Hate groups and dictators use bad economies to get control. They blame minorities for the situation, stir that hate to overthrow the legit government, and rule until they're beaten in war or the economy improves and the public throws them out. Only a stable, rational government with a respected leader can face down this threat and prevent this pattern. (ex. Churchill and the Dutch and Scandanavian monarchs during WW IIl and the post-war occupying governments of Japan and Germany.)


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