Why Immigration Hardliners Ought To Disavow White Supremacy
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In this comment thread, Tim Peck, City Council candidate, and Bradford, King of Sweden, take me to task for performing parlor tricks with “guilt by association”. bradford even tells me I’m “losing credibility” and sounding “shrill” when I make note of the many white supremacist groups allied with hardline immigration groups. Tim Peck didn’t want to answer my questions regarding his willingness/unwillingness to do business with white supremacists, evidently seeing it as a political trap, a “When Did You Stop Beating Your Wife?” sort of Catch-22.
Allow me to expand on the reasons why it’s so important for those who are most hardline in their immigration stance to distance themselves from the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organizations.
1. The immigration debate has been a major factor in the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, as I pointed out in a post here back in February:
“If any one single issue or trend can be credited with re-energizing the Klan, it is the debate over immigration in America,” said Deborah M. Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director. “Klan groups have witnessed a surprising and troubling resurgence by exploiting fears of an immigration explosion, and the debate over immigration has, in turn, helped to fuel an increase in Klan activity, with new groups sprouting in parts of the country that have not seen much activity.”
2. Tom Tancredo, presidential candidate and putative leader of the immigration hardliners, doesn’t discriminate when it comes to seeking support from racist organizations:
“..the state chapter of the League of the South (LOS), a neo-Confederate hate group, hosted a barbeque in honor of Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, head of the House Immigration Reform Caucus and likely contestant in the 2008 GOP presidential primary.”
3. Today’s immigration rhetoric so closely matches that of the 1920s, when the Klan saw it’s last resurgence. When Tim Peck uses hot button words like “invasion” and “migration” to describe immigrants, he’s in poor company:
“Historically, the Klan’s focus had been to terrorize African-Americans — through race riots, lynchings and other killings — but it reached peak membership at more than 4 million in the 1920s by focusing on immigration.
Newcomers from Ireland and Germany were portrayed as Catholic usurpers invading the United States, taking jobs from native-born Americans and undermining national fabric, Levin said.
Said Potok: “It’s remarkable to look back at the nativist sentiments toward Catholics — it’s very similar to what we’re seeing with Mexicans now.”
4. “Legitimate” anti-immigration groups are already in financial beds with white supremacists and have been for years:
“NumbersUSA hosted an afternoon open house at its plush new digs, where the lobbyists relaxed, nibbled on catered food, and conversed with the leaders and other officials of key anti-immigration organizations.
Patrick McHugh of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which purports to be a squeaky clean think tank that rejects racism, was there pressing the flesh along with Barbara Coe, head of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, who repeatedly referred to Mexicans — as she has for years — as “savages.”
The Citizens Informer, a white supremacist tabloid put out by the Council of Conservative Citizens hate group, was available.”
[...]
“Between 1985 and 1994, FAIR accepted $1.2 million from the Pioneer Fund — an outfit once described by eugenics expert Barry Mehler as a “neo-Nazi organization, tied to the Nazi eugenics program in the 1930s, that has never wavered in its commitment to eugenics and ideas of human and racial inferiority and superiority.”
5. This February comment thread at East Tennessee’s WBIR story on KKK resurgence illustrates the reasons why it’s so important for hardliners to disavow white supremacist groups. Otherwise folks are quick to jump to the conclusion that the ends of stopping illegal immigration justify the means of white supremacists’ organizations. The following are quoted from that comment thread:
“They cost Americans much money and they drive our highways with fate drivers license and no insurance.
Also, they account for a large percentage of crime.
So I am all for what the KKK is doing.”
[...]
“Good… SOMEBODY needs to do something”
[...]
“i’m glad somebody is doing something, whether it is the kkk\black panthers\me or you don’t matter”
[...]
“We are being invaded. If it takes the KLAN to stop the invasion then so be it. ”
[...]
“GO Klu Klux Klan!!
If we had a “White Caucus” in Congress there would be a world wide outcry. If we had a “White Coaches Association” every negroe in the country would be dead set against it.
If we had a “White American College Fund” every n—er & n—er lover in the country would be crying foul.”
[...]
“LONG LIVE THE KKK!!!
I say more power to the KKK.”
[...]
“When and where is the next membership meeting.”
[...]
“Actually KKK membership is on the rise and it is needed it is the only WHITE organization we have so we better support it. I have never been a member but am considering it. Time for Change”
[...]
“THE KKK WILL DO A BETTER JOB AGAINST THE ILLEGAL ALIENS THEN BUSH HAS.”
[...]
“Where is the local recruiting office? GO FOR IT!!!”
[...]
“I am ready to join the KKK!!”
[...]
“Enough is enough it is time to do something and if it takes the KKK to do it then we must go for it.”
[...]
“It is about time someone does something for our country whether it be the KKK or the militia”
[...]
“Dear KKK, Please gather them all up and get them back across the border where they belong.”
[...]
“It’s bad when our country being overrun with Mexicans and the black criminals makes a normal rational person think the KKK does not look so crazy.”
[...]
“It’s gotten to the point where it’s either side with and maybe joining groups like the KKK or putting our heads in the sand and pretending we’re not being invaded by Mexico.”
[...]
“I say Long Live the KKK.”
I could continue quoting, but there’s a little vomit in my mouth.
Tim Peck and everyone else who feels passionately about securing our borders and altering our immigration policy, know that white supremacists are the elephant in your room and the millstone around your issue’s neck. It’s important to let mainstream America know that when they consider this debate, they can be confident that your arguments aren’t rooted in a rising wave of racism and white supremacy.
Bradford and Tim Peck felt I was out of bounds to ask for assurances that Peck and others won’t work with white supremacists in efforts to achieve their immigration goals. I hope this post has explained why it’s the first question anyone ought to ask of immigration hardliners. If folks don’t ask, then they might find themselves donating money, time, or energy to spreading racism in America. I’m sure we’d all agree that racist means don’t justify political ends.
21 Comments
May 16th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Screwy – I’m honored to have made the front page. Thank you. Though it’s Bradford with a capital “B”.
Perhaps you can update the post to mention that I disavowed racism, but that you stubbornly continue to refuse to disavow child molesters?
Is there common ground here? Is it possible to enforce our laws and preserve our sovereignty and not encourage racism in your opinion?
Like I said, my position is simple Border first, then we can consider all options. If we offer “foregiveness” before securing the border, we’ll have another 12 million folks heading into the country in short order. Even if you think that is a good thing, when does it become too much of a good thing?
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May 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
The Canadian border is very difficult to secure, as are our ports. I imagine you’re talking about the Mexico/US border, which speaks volumes about the way the immigration discussion is going.
Securing the Canadian border, which would be the obvious next-best choice for land crossers will require an enormous financial commitment. Democrats have been working to provide increased port security for some time to dissuade seafaring folks who wish to enter illegally.
An initial commitment to fully funding immigration programs in order to allow those using the system to enter quickly and legally is required. Doing this first communicates to the world our desire to remain a destination for folks seeking the American Dream, and it sends a message of diversity to the world.
The border you’re talking about, of course, is the Mexican/US border. Bush and the gang have increased enforcement quite a lot, but it’s never enough for folks who are incensed by Mexicans who want to live here without “standing in line”. Charles Taylor liked to talk about fences and walls. Others discuss electronic devices, which might end up catching more rabbits than border-crossing humans. No matter what device is used, the cost will be very high. I wonder if it will cost more than the social services monies that so many worry about. I admit I don’t know the answer, but it certainly doesn’t involve armed militia made up of the worst sorts of anti-Mexican people.
It seems that a demand-based system might work best. Strangely, the system proposed by Senate Republicans of forcing employers to ensure the legality of their employees might be the best way to discourage illegal immigration.
What won’t work is the vilification and dehumanization of people who want to make a life for themselves in this country.
An incomplete answer, to be sure, but that’s all I’ve got at the moment.
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May 16th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Bradford, I have a problem with your comment about Screwy not disavowing child molesters. I’ll let you two work it out but that’s pretty low.
And Screwy (and you, too, Syntax): you guys must have vomit in your mouth all day long!!! Ewwwwww.
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May 16th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Drama, can you clarify? If you go to the thread that inspired this one, then perhaps my comment will make more sense. I’m fairly certain Screwy gets my point and probably even had a laugh over it.
Screwy makes a very strong case that everyone should closely examine their motivations on this issue. I’ve seen polls that show a majority of citizens want to see better enforcement of our border with Mexico and better enforcement of existing employment law. Does that make all of these people racists?
I’m sure a small percentage are motivated by racism. More still are probably influenced by racism and don’t even realize it. However, most are probably not overt racists and so demanding that everyone denouce the KKK or Tom “I don’t believe in evolution” Tancrado before he would even discuss the issue, seemed only marginally more relevant than damanding a denuciation of child molesters.
If you’re offended that I’ve insulted child molestation than I don’t really know where to go from there. Adios.
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May 16th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
screwy, I see some common ground here.I agree that the real solution has to be demand based. we need to realistically address the employment side, while recognizing the important role that Mexican immigrants play in our economy (though I fear they are also exploited). helping Mexico improve economic and social conditions would address the demand side too.
I also strongly agree that vilification and dehumanization is never the answer.
Diversity is nice, but I’m more of melting pot sort of guy. Each new group of immigrants adds something to our common culture and then within a generation are assimilated. If we lose that, I do believe it will create problems. Of course, that is probably even more of argument to bring these immigrants into the system, so they are not marginalized, making it more difficult for their citizen children to join into the American dream. I’m not sure, but I might have just agreed with you.
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May 16th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Sorry, Brad. I’ve skimmed too much today! duhhhhhhhhhhhh. That’s twice now between you and me. Are you sure we’re not married?
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May 16th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Bradford,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
I still plan to make the racism question the first thing I get out of the way with people whenever discussing this issue. You may be right about the percentages who are motivated by racism, in which case I need to be sure to ferret out the minority who are. My post, I believe, makes a strong case for discerning hardliners’ motivation.
I still haven’t heard from Tim Peck.
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May 16th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I find that Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand agrees with me on the matter of racism:
http://freedomkeys.com/ar-racism.htm
Good for her.
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May 16th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Sorry, Tim. I gave up my Ayn Rand dependency shortly after graduating from high school. Maybe you can sum it up for the rest of us plebes who’d rather drink paint thinner than read that shit again.
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May 16th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
She agrees with you? Or you agree with her? Regardless of whether you’re trying to claim that you had the identical thoughts of Ayn Rand, it’s good to know that you’re willing to jettison the do si do routine regarding questions of racism and immigration hardliners.
Is everything going to be this hard with you?
Now. Moving on. What’s your solution, Tim?
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May 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Screwy,
Just wonderin’ if you knew which political party started the KKK?
I am more than pleased to be very upfront with you and say I detest the KKK in the strongest possible way.
So you will not have to look it up, I have provided the links below:
UNCA Libraries have this book online- look for
“The Life and Speeches of Charles Brantly Aycock”
http://www.ncculture.com
The 1898 May 12th, keynote speech by Aycock that was the kickoff to the “white supremacy” Democrat Campaign at Laurinburg, NC along with
fellow white supremacist and speaker- Asheville native Locke Craig.
North Carolina State Commissioned Report:
http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/1898-wrrc/report/report.htm
Very informative Link to the Charlotte Observer Special Edition “The Ghosts of 1898″
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/special_packages/wilmington/
“Something monstrous engulfed the port city of Wilmington 108 years
ago. This event unleashed a racist culture that would set back generations of African Americans in North Carolina, as well as the entire South.
And yet, an accurate account of the so-called “Wilmington Race Riot of 1898″ never found its way into our history books, much less our consciousness. Even now, most people who were born in this state know little to nothing about it.
The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh will jointly publish a special section, called “The Ghosts of 1898,” to help fill this gap in North Carolina’s history.
“We do this now because a commission appointed by the N.C. legislature in 2000 has just completed the most exhaustive research to date on the facts surrounding the events in Wilmington.”
“We also do it because our newspapers failed to report the truth the first time. Even worse, history shows that both newspapers avidly
supported the powerful white supremacy movement that triggered the violence and ultimately overthrew Wilmington’s elected city government.”
Link leads to Political Cartoons and Ads
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/1898/sources.html
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/1898/glossary.html
http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/1898-wrrc/
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May 17th, 2007 at 9:00 am
There is a significant portion of the anti-illegal-immigrant movement that is racist. There is really no point in debating that fact, it’s widely known and generally accepted. Screwy chooses to emphasize it, and he does so responsibly. That’s fine. I don’t see why he shouldn’t, in fact I wish more people would.
I don’t see “guilt by association”, I just see Screwy pointing to a (rather obvious) fact of life in the anti-illegal-immigration movement.
A lot of these guys are racists. ‘Nuff said.
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May 17th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
It just sickens me when so many try to claim that those among us, who believe in legality, are somehow against all Mexicans. Lets face the real facts here; Legal American citizens, who work hard and pay their taxes, want anyone who comes through our ports; whether as a visitor, student or potential legal citizen down the road; to OBEY OUR CURRENT LAWS which are already on the books, but ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED! Honestly, it can’t get any simpler than that.
So the next time any wish to claim it has something to do with race, skin color, income, religion, or native country of origin, think again. Either you obey and respect our laws, all our laws, or stay in your native country. Protest in your native country, and fix your native country.
America cannot possible save the entire planet, we just don’t have that kind of land, or resources. And the huge, and growing, illegal/criminal alien population is extreme. And yes, in my mind, they are “criminals”. I can’t walk into a bank and take an “undocumented withdrawal” and believe I won’t face any consequences. Thats insane! If we break the law, we pay the price.
Do we want more criminals in this country? Don’t we have enough of our own?
Our neighborhoods are turning to crap; our quality of life is dramatically changing, and not for the good. Americans are FED UP and want the government to step in and do its job. And lets not forget, President Reagen promised this nation, in the 80′S, that this country would never again have to endure another Amnesty. Mr. Bush has NO right to go against that promise.
The laws that are currently on the books, need to be ENFORCED. We had better wise up and take back this nation before civil war breaks out again. Remember what this nation went through during the huge debate over slavery – we’re headed there again, and we all know that history has a habit of repeating itself when we just don’t learn anything from it…
GOD BLESS THE USA -
BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!
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May 17th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
It just sickens me when so many try to claim that those among us who believe that the most reasonable course is to allow productive, non-criminal, undocumented aliens to rectify their status through legal means (including fines), are somehow in favor of illegality.
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May 17th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Humble,
You’re about as humble as a priapic ogre.
If you’d bothered to read the post you would have seen that it clearly explained that many in the hardline immigration policy camp are indeed racists. I know that not all of you are, that’s why it’s important for folks like you (real humble angels) to specify whether your position is based on law or on race. Even then, many racists hide behind the law to push their radical agenda.
Deep breath, humble one, and read the post.
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May 17th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Not for nothing, but I noticed that there was an incoming link in our Sitemeter stats this afternoon from a post on the Action Club’s Yahoo group. If I had to guess, I’d say that “humble angel” came from that link, and I expect that we’ll see more traffic where he/she/it came from.
Woo hoo!
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May 18th, 2007 at 12:27 am
“Now. Moving on.”
Yes, let’s.
“What’s your solution, Tim?”
I outlined my solution about 8 months ago:
http://www.theactionclub.com/immigration.htm
Sorry you weren’t connected back then.
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May 18th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Sorry I wasn’t connected?
Connected to you?
Connected to the Action Club?
Sometimes I don’t know what you’re on about.
I’ll go read it.
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May 18th, 2007 at 8:58 am
To Tim’s credit, at least he spells out his solution. I commend him for that. That having been said, it’s the same old stuff we’ve heard over and over – deport them all, change the constitution, speak English, blah, blah, blah.
But given the latest news, the most eye-catching piece of Tim’s manifesto was this:
“Amnesty is the absence of punishment, not the presence of reward and we reject any form of amnesty…”
I can only assume then, that since the immigration reform proposal of yesterday includes punishment in the form of hefty fines, that Tim will refrain from characterizing that proposal as “amnesty”. Right Tim?
Of course I know he won’t, I just thought I’d point out the obvious incongruity of his position.
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May 18th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
PUNISH THE EVILDOERS!
Had to get snarky there…
So you think Tim likes the Senate proposal? I think maybe he’s not so big on compromise or anything short of massive deportation or incarceration…
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May 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 am
[...] Why Immigration Hardliners Ought To Disavow White Supremacy [...]
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