A GROUP of white supremacists at Northwestern University is seeking that university's recognition as a campus religious group. It is imperative to race relations in the United States that this group, and those like it, be granted recognition.
By being aware of the threat of an opposition - however small a threat that might be - popular sentiment is parlayed into proactive measures. For this reason, the presence and identification of groups such as that at Northwestern serve a vital purpose. Undoubtedly, the group's presence will be responded to with discussion concerning race and the importance of integration. Further, it will breed integration as people of all races and creeds solidify in opposition to the white supremacists. To ignore this particular group would be near impossible.
Matt Hale, leader of the Peoria-based World Church of the Creator in Ilinois, began his assault on Northwestern Oct. 21, when he distributed racist booklets in areas surrounding the campus. Less than a week later, 14 cars in the area were spray painted with white supremacist messages. This only a few short months after a member of Hale's organization killed former Northwestern basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong and himself, in a racially-motivated shooting spree. Hale certainly is not leaving local residents with any option but to take note. Apparently, they are.
The potential for violence Hale's group has shown prompted two members of the House of Representatives, Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Anthony Weiner (D-NY.), to seek the aid of Attorney General Janet Reno in investigating the World Church of the Creator. To this point, Reno has not responded. In addition, Schakowsky is in favor of protesting the World Church. "The congresswoman is very concerned. We could have rallies to let these hate-mongers know they are not welcome in this community," said Nadeam Elshami, a spokesperson for Schakowsky ("City Hit With Hate Speech," The Daily Northwestern, Oct. 28, 1999). Though the idea of holding rallies is a good one, the concept behind them should not be that groups like Hale's "are not welcome."
First, everyone should recognize the white supremacists' freedom of speech and expression - a right they exercised when they distributed their propaganda booklets. In particular, a spokesperson for a U.S. representative should be aware of these "hate-mongers'" right to exist alongside all other members of the community and make their voices heard.
Second, any rally that comes as a result of the World Church's actions should be centered on the views that oppose white supremacy and not simply an effort to rid the community of Hale's group. Putting Hale and his group out of sight will allow those who disagree with him to put the issues he presents out of mind. This is definitely a bad idea in a society continually deluged with racial concerns.
This deluge recently hit the University community, with an event devoted to discussing race in admissions seemingly every day. The "October Camp" staged by the University's Advocates for Diversity in Education last month probably would not have come about had affirmative action not been questioned. Events like these exhibit the importance of opposition to mobilize people.
A similar mobilization occurred in Washington, D.C., this past August in response to a planned march by the American Nationalist Party. The American Nationalist Party, formerly known as the Knights of Freedom, is another white supremacist group led by Wofford College senior Davis Wolfgang Hawke. The planned march instigated hundreds to participate in a "respect rally" for racial and religious tolerance. The attendance at the simultaneous American Nationalist Party rally: four. Clearly, the city's recognition of the racist group's right to protest did far more to foster healthy race relations than forbidding it would have.
Some of those staunchly opposed to the recognition of white supremacist groups will argue that what they say is hurtful and destructive. Thus, they need to be silenced. In response, it would be considerably more hurtful and destructive to assume that racial harmony has been achieved than to be forced to answer the questions that white supremacists pose.
In some minds, the promotion of white supremacist rhetoric is not harmful to those who object to it, but to those who are young, ignorant or confused. "When people who do not have a lot of experiences with different kinds of people read that, you don't know what they think," said Ellen Gilbert, a resident of Evanston, Ill. who received one of Hale's booklets ("Hate Pamphlets Distributed in Evanston," The Daily Northwestern, Oct. 21, 1999). While this may be true, the answer again lies in the community's response. As easily as one might be affected by Hale's message, one can be affected by the message of his opponents. Hopefully, the formal recognition of Hale's group will allow such a dialogue to occur.
(Chris DelGrosso's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily.)
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