The Ideology of Nazism - Essay Example

Outline Introduction Neo-Nazi groups follow the ideology of Nazism American Neo-Nazi group target ethnic groups like Jews, African Americans etc.They are threatening the harmonious existence of diverse cultures in America. American Neo-Nazi Parties American Neo-Nazi parties believe in ethnic nationalism and racial purity. They spread hatred against ethnic groups which have not originated in their own country. The US citizens are entitled to the freedom of speech, so Neo-Nazi groups are allowed to express their racists thoughts. Influence of Neo-Nazi parties on American Society The influence of Neo Nazi parties is resulting in hate crimes and violence in the American society. In their attempt to maintain racial purity, people are segregating themselves from the society. Influence of Neo-Nazi parties in American Politics The Neo-Nazi groups influence the outcome of political issues by garnering people’s support Conclusion The Neo-Nazi groups are threatening the harmonious existence of diverse cultures, by segregating people on the basis of race and ethnic group. The Influence of the Neo-Nazi Party in Modern America Introduction Different parties support different ideologies and function in accordance to the ideology selected by them. In majority of countries, people are free to join any party or follow the ideology of their choice. But some ideologies followed by an individual or a party may disrupt the social harmony or threaten to ruin the peace of the society. One such ideology is Neo-Nazism. Neo-Nazism is used to define the movements, which are social or political in nature and aim to rekindle the ideology of Nazism. The first Neo-Nazi party to be established in America was a domestic Nazi party. Today, numerous small Neo-Nazi parties are operating in America but majority of them carry out their functions in secrecy. The American Neo-Nazi groups target ethnic groups such as Asian Americans, Native Americans, Arab Americans, Jews, African American and hassle them. Homosexuals and Catholics are also targeted by the Neo-Nazis. In this paper, we will analyze the influence of Neo-Nazis parties in modern America. The Neo-Nazi parties, with their anti-Semitic and racist ideology, are threatening the harmonious existence of diverse cultures in America. American Neo-Nazi Parties American Neo-Nazis believe in the concept of nationalism based on racial or ethnic identities, and racial purity. They endeavor to prevent certain ethnic groups from residing in their country. They believe that a nation should consist of similar ethnic groups. So they discourage people belonging to other ethnic groups from assimilating into their national culture. In their attempt to restrict the immigration of these ethnic groups, some of these Neo-Nazi groups take to violent ways and spread hatred against these ethnic groups. As the American citizens are entitled to the freedom of speech, the American Neo-Nazi parties are allowed to express their ideology without any restraint. “In the USA, broad freedom of speech allows political organizations great latitude in expressing Nazi, racist or anti-Semitic ideology.”1. It is only after the members of Neo-Nazis turn violent or commit hate crimes that the government takes action against them. So the American Neo-Nazi parties express their hatred for people who do not belong to the ethnic group originated in their own country, and try to spread their message through demonstrations. Influence of Neo-Nazi parties on American Society The racist ideology that is spread among the people by the Neo-Nazi parties is resulting in hate crimes and racism. People are unwilling to accept persons belonging to other races as members of their society. They want to maintain their racial purity by avoiding the assimilation of members of other racial groups into their own group. One such incident which proves the influence of Neo- Nazi parties in committing hate crimes is the Red Lake School shooting. Jeff Weise, a seventeen year old Native American who joined a Neo-Nazi party upholding racial purity, killed his grandparents along with seven people in his school including five students. Later he ended his life also. His posts on his party’ website, helped in understanding his thoughts, and his motives behind the killings. “In a July 13 post, Native Nazi expressed his concern that Native Americans had turned their backs on racial purity and were being weakened by "interracial mixing". He was particularly annoyed that young Native Americans were copying the culture of African Americans.”2. The ideology of racial purity supported by Neo-Nazi parties is making it difficult for people belonging to different races to maintain harmonious relations. People who are attracted towards racist ideology of Neo-Nazi groups tend to look at other persons belonging to a race different from them with contempt and hatred. In their efforts to maintain their racial purity, these people segregate themselves from other ethnic groups in the society. The peaceful co-existence of people belonging to various ethnic groups and races is being threatened by the members of Neo-Nazi parties. In order to attract the youth towards their ideology, the Neo-Nazi parties are conveying their messages in a manner that is identified by the youth as their own thoughts. “According to Randy Blazak….extremists have modified their message to teenagers in recent years from outright advocacy of racism to a more subtle emphasis on the loss of ethnic identity in an increasingly diverse American society.”3. The influence of Neo- Nazi groups among the youth is evident from the rising number of students who are joining these groups. “Technologically sophisticated and sometimes well financed, they preach a style of cultural politics directed at alienated white youths that is easily accessible on the Internet (like the expression “hate crimes,” “cyber hate” has become a part of the American lexicon).”4 Along with young people, persons belonging to different age groups, social classes and professions are joining these groups to vent their frustrations against the multicultural society they are living in and the immigrants whom they believe to be encroaching upon their territories. The attitude of Americans, who are influenced by Neo-Nazi parties, undergoes a radical change leading to behavioral changes. And these behavioral changes sometimes result in extremities such as violence and hate crimes. The influence of Neo-Nazi groups in modern American society is evident from the spread of anti-Semitic and racist thoughts among its members. Influence of Neo-Nazi parties in American Politics The influence of Neo-Nazi groups is felt in the field of American politics also. The Neo-Nazi groups, with its members in influential positions, are having an impact on the passage of laws by the American government. The most prominent example of their influence in American politics is the anti-abortion movement. “Startling new evidence of a growing political convergence and collaboration among far-right proponents of anti abortion direct action and the neo-Nazi movement in Canada and the United States, has recently surfaced.”5 The members of the Neo-Nazis groups were against abortion and condemned Jew doctors who carried out abortions. Their racist views on the subject of abortion and the projection of involvement of Jews in aborting babies, made people to react strongly against abortion and even attack doctors who carried out abortions. The Neo-Nazi groups garner the support of the people on political issues, which are related to their ideology, and influence their outcome to serve their own interests. Conclusion The Neo-Nazi groups promote ethnic nationalism and racial purity. The American Neo-Nazi groups target people who do not belong to the ethnic group that has originated in their country. The Neo-Nazi groups with their, racist and anti-Semitic views are influencing the American society. People, who have joined these groups, aim to maintain their racial purity. In the process they segregate themselves from the society or resort to violence. The American people are being attracted towards these groups and this is evident from the rising numbers of people joining these groups. To attract the young people, the Neo-Nazi groups are focusing on the cultural identity of the person and his/her struggle to maintain that identity in multicultural society. The loss of cultural identity is a notion that is accepted by the young people and so they join these groups to express their discontent about their social environment. The influence of Neo-Nazi groups has led to hate crimes and violence. The members of Neo-Nazi groups hate people belonging to ethnic groups which are different from them. The attitude of American people towards the immigrants had changed drastically. They wish to avoid assimilating with people belonging to other ethnic groups. Even in the field of politics, the Neo-Nazi groups are influencing the outcome of political issues, by garnering support of the people. The Neo-Nazi groups are threatening the harmonious existence of diverse cultures in America, by segregating people on the basis of race and ethnic groups, and by developing hatred among them. Works Cited Burghart, Tom, "The Anti-Abortion/Neo-Nazi Connection," USATODAY, 13 May 1995. Cavanagh, Sean, "Internet Postings Linked to Student Highlight Interest in Hate Groups: Experts Say Recruitment Efforts Targeting School-Age Youths," Education Week 24, no. 29 (2005): 11-12. Downey, Dennis, "Domestic Terrorism: The Enemy Within," Current History 99, no.639 (2000):169 Left, Sarah, "A neo-nazi angel of death," The Guardian, 22 March 2005. NationMaster.com, Neo Nazi [Online], accessed 29 November 2008; available from http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Neo_Nazi#Neo-Nazism_in_the_USA Read More