Profile of the New American Skinheads
November 7, 2007
|
Mike Sinclair - Executive Producer
It’s one of those places you pass on your daily commute, but you never really see. A non-descript set of railroad tracks bending through a small ravine under a super highway. Thousands of people race by this spot every day without any idea that a man’s life ended just 60 feet below them. His name was Randy Townsend and his attackers were part of a racist skinhead club called the Tacoma Skinhead Movement. Three men and a pregnant woman beat and kicked Randy to death so they could achieve a sense status within their club by earning the right to wear red bootlaces.
I first saw this place when Detective Jeff Shipp of the Tacoma Police Department, who worked the murder investigation, took our camera crew there. At the time of the attack, a group of homeless men and women were living in the brush surrounding the tracks. Today the brush has been cleared, and a fence put up to keep the homeless out. Thick grey paint climbs about 20-feet up the highway supports that frame the railroad tracks. The paint hides the violent threats, racial slurs and Swastikas the Tacoma Skinhead Movement used to mark this place as their turf.
Today, years after the murder it remains an eerie and desolate place. For the past year I’ve been on a journey to document all I could about the racist skinheads, one of the fastest growing and most violent segments of the white supremacy movement. The journey has led me to many strange places—a concrete bunker in Warsaw, Indiana, a skinhead St. Patrick’s Day celebration, fight training in a small gym in the Baltimore suburbs, the screaming hate of a band’s practice session in California, but it wasn’t until the moment that I stepped into the darkness of the Tacoma underpass and into the shoes of skinhead murder victim, Randy Townsend that I understood what all the screaming was about — it was all about fear.
| "They have their sights squarely set on reaching the mainstream and are using every tool at their disposal to do so." |
My journey began with a simple question. What ever happened to those guys? When our production team started this project the only impressions we could recall of skinheads on television were of angry kids with shaved heads on talk shows spewing outrageous threats and throwing chairs. That’s largely how the culture was portrayed during the ‘80s and ‘90s. We wanted our program to get beyond that and take a hard look at skinhead culture from the inside. To do that we wanted to let the skins themselves explain it to us.
American skinheads are a diverse group made up of various subcultures. There are traditional skins, anarchist skins, racist skins, anti-racist skins and host of other categories. Some are independent some are organized into regional, national and international groups. It became clear immediately that to explore a subculture like this in an hour-long program was going to be a challenge. We narrowed the focus of the show to what academics call racist skinheads. These are the American skinheads who adopted the racist ideology of the skinhead movement in Britain in the 1980s. Many racist skinheads share the Nazi ideas that whites are a genetically superior race and in danger of becoming extinct at the hands of a rising tide of color.
This fear of extinction is real among the culture and carries with it an inherent call to action. Over the last two years, that action has been becoming increasingly violent. In 2005, the Anti-Defamation League, a group that monitors skinhead activity started noticing a rise in the number of organized racist skinhead groups and the number of "independent" or unaffiliated racist skinheads. They also found that this growth in numbers was fueling a rise in the amount of skinhead-related criminal activity.
In Orange County, California, skinhead musician Martin Cox defends the use of violence to further the skinhead’s racist cause. Cox told us that, "The time for talking in this country is over. Rallies, marches…those are old school. It’s time to start killing.” Martin’s message is terrifyingly simple, and his call is being taken up by racist skinheads and White Supremacists who are flooding into Arizona and the border states to protect, by force if necessary, America’s borders from the perceived threat of illegal immigrants. As human rights activist Loretta Ross points out in our show, it is important to see that their rage is not directed at all immigrants, only immigrants of color.
In contrast, some people linked to the skinhead culture are calling for a fundamental shift in tactics. Tom Metzger is credited by some as the grandfather of the American skinhead movement. Today he is calling for skinheads to throw off the traditional symbols of the culture, grow their hair out, cover up their tattoos and assimilate into mainstream society… and wait for the right time to strike.
It appears that skinhead groups around the country are embracing Metzger’s strategy. We spent time with two crews, The Keystone State Skinheads based in Pennsylvania and the Maryland Skinheads based in Baltimore, who both profess they are turning their backs on violence, and reinventing their clubs as political organizations. They have their sights squarely set on reaching the mainstream and are using every tool at their disposal to do so. They have toned down the rhetoric and shaped the message to appeal to a larger audience. It seems to be working, using tools like the Internet, and a growing music scene, they are reaching record numbers with their message.
In Tacoma, Detective Jeff Shipp is dealing with the consequences of this nationwide surge in racist skinhead activity. Less than 4 years after Randy Townsend’s murder, Shipp and his colleagues are noticing a repeat of the same patterns that led up to Randy Townsend’s murder. Once again, racist graffiti is beginning to resurface around town.



Comments (128)
If skinheads really wanted to eradicate lets say 'African Americans' they would be best served by promoting the 'rap/gansta/bling-bling/mtv cribs' (non-educated, ebonics lifestyle) and help to arm young black men, after all, the stats don't lie, blacks kill blacks >80% of the time and before the age of 30.
And to the contrary, if blacks want to eradicate the skin heads all they need to do is become educated and vote, everything else falls into place after that.
Posted by Brian | November 8, 2007 12:14 PM
It really is kind of interesting how you find skinhead violence to be such a menacing threat to society. In reality I'm sure there are more acts of violence perpetrated by angy motorists then by skinheads on any level. That just wouldn't make as schocking of a documentary now would it.
Compared to the uncontrolable violence inflicted on our communities by non-whites on a daily basis, along with the music promoting their criminal culture: rap music, it's as if your trying to create an illusion of us as some sort of a growing threat. It really is quite phoney, perhaps you'd of done better to investigate the most violent and criminal aspects of our society: non-whites.
Posted by Keith Carney | November 9, 2007 11:16 AM
I'm not saying I condone murder..but is it any wonder that white Americans feel threatened to the point of violent defense, when there are so many blatant cases of non-whites committing violent acts on them..that go without notice ? Recently, there was
an eleven year old girl at home, sick from school..five
African Americans broke into the home (purportedly to burglarize it) and she was brutally killed in the process. I feel very threatened sometimes by 'thug' activity, and fear for my family's safety.
I just don't think it is realistic to catagorize one
as more threatening to society, without looking at the bigger picture.
Posted by Johnny Y. | November 9, 2007 11:25 AM
I don't think this is very important to discuss all this ,one of my friends who works with Law Enforcement Department in Philadelphia area told me some of this guys that are here as a White Nationalist Skinheads (Keith Carney i believe) work with the police back to back as an informant...
I dont think they are really trying to promote a white revolution....
Posted by Mike Schultz | November 9, 2007 1:43 PM
While National Geographic Channel entirely supports and encourages an ongoing conversation about the content of its programming, we do however reserve the right to remove any comments, materials or links that we deem inappropriate or offensive in any way
Posted by Greg Chapman | November 9, 2007 1:45 PM
EVERYBODY PANIC!
Very sensational story, I'll be sure to watch it, but racist skins are no more a threat to us than Africanized "killer" bees.
That bloke up there has some nice tattoos though...
Posted by Chris T. | November 9, 2007 3:51 PM
Any time a documentary is made about any non-mainstream way of life it is shown in not only a bad light, but a threatening one. Knowing that gangbangers commit way more violent and nonviolent crime then Skinheads (or even all forms of racialists combined for that matter) it is odd how much more the government and other groups watch and cronicle these people.
Every racial group trys to stand up for itself and that is fine. So, why is it that when Whites do it that it is a crime or something to be looked down upon?
Posted by Charlie Spotar | November 9, 2007 7:39 PM
Why does everybody pick on white people all the time? You have Jewish nationalists parading for Israel's interests as a -racial- interest in everything but terminology and the United States is actually fighting over there and sending billions to Israel, and we are worried about skinheads? Look, Israeli 'racialists' look white except for the tattoos; why not pick on them? Oh, that's right! You're actually -afraid- of bullying anybody who might fight back. Come on! You could talk about the black panthers or the racism in China (experienced personally) but you hunt after skinheads? Ahh, but you're actually afraid of them because of all the organized black influence! Shame on you! Look, every single people on this planet has their 'skinheads'. Stop picking on white people because it's popular, cowards.
Go read stormfront; people there are big talk, but most of them are just suffering from the insecurities that 99% of people on this planet suffer from. Oh, white nationalists are trying to become non-violent! How terrible!
It's not a terrible thing; it's a good thing! It's a good thing for everybody except for the sort of extremists that would like for white people to lose all organization and influence as a common group. An article like this is really about hate; the hate coming from the paranoid fear in the author's heart. It's the same hate that any racist extremist has in their heart. The same hate that any bloodletting dictator has in their heart. It's the hate that tries to destroy the humanity of the other side. It's the hate that destroys discussion and undermines the legitimate concerns of the other party. Shame on you.
The most dangerous people on this planet are not skinheads. You want to know who the real victims are, with you writing inflammatory trash like this? Skinheads. Skinheads who can't escape a history of violence because of trash like this. White people, skinhead or not, who feel guilty to express their own moderate political concerns because of people like you 'blackwashing' (the opposite of whitewashing for any of those who are so obsessed with their social religion that their proficiency in English suffers) anything associated with white people and them addressing -any- of their concerns in any way. Thanks a lot.
Jerks.
Posted by Fred K. | November 9, 2007 8:16 PM
Your generalizations and over reactionary descriptions in this article aside. The White American Nationalist Skinhead is not the threat to our society you make him out to be, nor is he a stupid vulgarian opting for violence first. He is reactionary to his environment and DEFENSIVE in action at this time. The numbers of "White Nationalist Skin" inside the United States are far lower than those of nearly any single nationwide street gang currently. (Although these numbers are growing thanks in part to people growing tired of gays, illegals, social progressives, and liberals destroying the fabric of a society that at one time knew a God, European thought and family tradition, as well as knew its heritage and its value.)
The "acts" of violence which you choose to display as giant in numbers are also very small in size comparatively. When held real comparison, the "acts" against Whites are seven to one in favor of these so called "minority" races and their street gangs that seem to "own" our cities landscapes. Few, (if any at all) Skinheads or their "Crews" generate their monies from drugs, prostitution, robbery, or any other illegal endeavor. These are simply men and women who have had enough and choose to defend their own folk, their cause, and or their ideas against odds that would bring out cowardice in those who would be willing to bend to simple opinions of a liberal culture striving to globalize itself to the level of even breeding its races out of existence.
The Proud White Skinhead IS, has been, and always will be political. He is changing, but only in the way that he WAS the front-line of a losing battle for ground which some of our folk have not seen sliding away yet. They ARE beginning to realize that the cliff edge is closer than they have been told, and the fight might actually be something we cannot avoid. This front-line will be required to stand at that point, but the brotherhood, faith, and heritage preserved until then is not a "camouflage", but simply another duty held by a racialist fighter.
Posted by Lexander Z. | November 9, 2007 8:54 PM
I have a suggestion for the contributors and editors of National Geographic, mostly a first-rate periodical: How about writing an article based on the statistical reality of interracial violence, rather than one based on unfounded, politically-biased anxieties of trouble-making groups like the ADL? I can't even remember the last time (if ever there was a first time) I saw a group of White Power advocates hanging around, making life dangerous for nonwhites. If you want me to relate every time in my life when I've seen nonwhites accosting, stealing from, cursing, or otherwise abusing white people, there isn't enough space in this comment box. Fewer people today are fooled by the rhetoric and cliches about white "racists" when they clash so completely with the reality we all experience on a daily basis.
Posted by Eric H. | November 9, 2007 11:02 PM
I think it is safe to say that there would be more violence from a visit to your local bar/club on a weekend night as opposed to Skinhead violence....Lets put it into a real world example shall we.....The pitbull family of dogs get a bad reputation from being a very violent and dangerous dog....and some are trained this way no doubt...but out of all the millions of dogs that may bite someone, what are the pitbulls the ones that make the papers...not the other types.
So to put this in line It is safe to say people have fear of the skinhead due to hollywood stereotypes.....A perfect example would be the movie american history x
I think I would be a lot more worried about some of the minority gangs like crips, bloods and MS13
Posted by Dustin | November 10, 2007 8:32 AM
That`s all I have to say
Posted by Rick MDS | November 10, 2007 9:36 AM
Is it surprising that a few white people are angry about being disenfranchised from the very civilization they created? Whites are overtly discriminated against in our society, and your piece of propaganda is a great example of it.
Posted by Billy Phelps | November 10, 2007 12:13 PM
I'm a Skinhead and I vote. . . I also have a large and healthy family and am aging into a respectable and powerful member of my community. I still can't fathom how the one sided portrayal of a social movement is acceptable simply because media feel threatened by clothing and haircuts. The rhetoric is no more violent, after all, than most hip-hop and reaches far fewer people. What is the raw number of Skinhead related violent acts per year anyway? Ten? Fifteen? Of those most are scuffles anyway. I guess national geographic is willing to stoop to the same low as CNN and FOX in that they will take innocuous events and activities and hype them into Earth shattering catastrophes. Hey, you wanna know what's really dangerous? The government of CHINA. Worst human rights abuser on the planet, yet America's largest trading partner. Tens of thousands killed every year by their party run communist government, yet you devote time to demonizing guys who are trying to make their lives better. Thanks a lot, but hold the trash.
Posted by Keith from Queens | November 11, 2007 6:14 PM
To be aware this blog is meant as a forum for a spirited conversation, not a place for personal attacks. That being said, any comments that contain personal attacks on other people that have posted will be not be published. Thank you.
Posted by Greg Chapman | November 12, 2007 11:42 AM
Sincere apologies Greg.
Posted by Lexander Z. | November 12, 2007 1:46 PM
There is nothing wrong with SKINHEADS.
These people just want to fight for their identity, culture and patrimony.
In other words they fight DIVERSITY and IMMIGRATION.
SKINHEADS are wrongly portrayed most of the time, they are courageous people who stand for their belief. Our societies depict SKINHEADS as criminals when they just want to protect the white race and prevent it from extinction. SKINHEADS are normal people who just dress up differently.
Posted by Stephane Wolffensen | November 12, 2007 2:45 PM
Interesting to see the comments by defensive white people who just don't get it. You're irrational concerns of black on white violence (you are more likely to be attacked by a white person: crime is intra-racial more than inter-racial) is used to DEFEND the attack on innocent minorities. Your mentality is, "Well, some black guy did something bad so go attack some random black person, because they are all the same." How idiotic.
Racism is still a real problem in America and hate crimes are a form of terrorism. Whether it's a noose in a tree or a violent attack, these acts are meant to cause emotional trauma to large groups of people (just like 9/11 did to Americans). They are not the same as street crime.
I would challenge the defensive whites who have posted here and will post after this show airs to open their hearts. Practice empathy. Talk to someone who is an ethnic or sexual minority about thier experiences. Talk TO them, not FOR them. Just listen. Imagine being black, Jewish, or gay, and knowing there are still groups of people who want to exterminate your family.
Posted by Randy Blazak | November 12, 2007 3:14 PM
Nothing surprising in a country (USA), which has established itself as a government policy to hate everything that is not in its territory. Validating false wars and oppress minorities
Posted by Gianni Osimani: | November 13, 2007 7:51 AM
I am wondering if the makers of this documentary will bother to inform the viewers about real racial crime statistics in America. Will this documentary discuss the incredibly high crime rate of Blacks in relation to their population percentage?
I'm not looking forward to yet an other "documentary" that furthers the false notion that proud, White men and women are the biggest threat to American society. The media in this country will earn my respect only when they put a real face on the terrible rape/murder/theft statistics in this country.
But, sadly, I'm just expecting this to be a propaganda film. I hope you prove me wrong.
Posted by Alexandra | November 13, 2007 9:24 AM
Aren't the majority of these problems that people are experiencing related to classism? the top is getting more, while the bottom is getting less. No matter what race you are.
Posted by Anonymous | November 13, 2007 3:03 PM
to all of the whites out there. let me say you feel threatened by us non whites. i watched date line the other dayt and found that 90% of the molesters they profiled in the sting operation was people of the caucasian origin. not mention that more and more caucasion women are being arrested for child molestation. and one more example it was not people of color shooting up the high schools. or people of color running this country. so instead of fearing us people of color maybe you should look in your own back yards so to speak. the world is a scary place. all we can do is try too live together. untill god decides it time for us all to come home. tolerence of others. and acceptance that there are evil people of all colors and there is no room for finger pointing we are all far from perfect.
Posted by lcsweet | November 13, 2007 4:51 PM
caucasion people are worried about extinction! that is sooo laughable. you want to protect the values of your uropean ways. murdering an entire race of people (native americans) enslaving then trying to murder another race of people (african americans). you people domminate most of the world and yet still have something to gripe about. your history of rape and murder and zero tolerance of any culture that is not yours. people of other cultures don't want to get rid of your race we simply want to live with the same opportunities you have been afforded. when people of color extended there hands to the caucasion race it was cut off. and now even today you still want to defend thoes people and i'm using this term loosely (skin heads) there mission is what it has always been murder anyone who is not them. sounds just like the muslim extremist to me.
Posted by dnice | November 13, 2007 5:24 PM
Hmmm, thats funny...I thought the moderator of the blog was dedicated to stamping out hate-filled tirades? Seems that dnice's entry fits that description pretty nicely...perhaps the moderator did not mean tirades referencing biased anti-white interpretations of history, then? Probably the ones you heard in college?
Dnice, practically every single ethnic group has enslaved another people or mistreated them at some point in time. To single out "whites" serves its purpose, but it is a manipulative purpose, and I am sure you know this. Even in regards to the African slave trade, you should know that there were MANY peoples involved (Jews and even the Africans themselves). Furthermore, simply because someone's skin color is white does not mean their ancestors owned slaves.
As for zero tolerance of other races, I guess you don't know much about the hierarchies-of-being in South America (Peruvians at the bottom) or especially within the Arab world. But on top of that, what race has really tolerated the other in its own land? If you honestly believe any race has, you are only kidding yourself. Part of loving one's own is protecting one's own, so this sort of behavior is not the white exception you try to portray it as, but a natural defense to be expected of all peoples.
It is true that from this instinct can come hatred for the "other", that comes with the territory, there are two sides of the coin. In fact, now we are seeing what happens when "white racism" is averted by destroying the natural appreciation of one's own.
The result is the sick society lcsweet is talking about, the one where whites should fear other whites just as much as anybody else, where certain areas are no-go regions, where nobody is to be trusted. What lcsweet doesn't realize is various deviant sex crimes and episodes where whites are hurting other whites comes from a rejection of the very racialism white skinheads preserve, a racialism where the person values the group as well as themselves. This is what the "black power" ideologues have been trying to accomplish for years. Why is brother fighting brother in the street?
There was a time when the recognition of individual self was unheard of, white nationalist ideals, like any other racialist philosophy, embodies that forgotten spirit, for better or for worse. One thing is certain, however: this spirit is the antithesis of the individualism, self-occupation, rejection of racial being, crass materialism, isolation and the constant fear of your neighbor found in the current system.
As for turning the word into one big happy economic forum of "extended hands reaching out for opportunity", there just aren't 6 billion pieces of pie to go around. Competition is already steep for select jobs that have yet to be outsourced - you want to make it even more difficult to make a decent living? Lets flood the borders, and then we can celebrate the death of our own prosperity as well as national cultural identity, too.
Posted by Leonie K. | November 14, 2007 11:36 AM
A lot of you are missing the bigger picture on this.
To make a claim that angry motorists are perhaps the more likely perpetrator of violent crime is ridiculous in this context. Likewise, a band of 4 breaking into a home and killing a child, although horrible, is subject to the same flaw in logic. Same goes for the other, innumerous points of contention which have been raised. These rogue violent acts lack central organization. Unless of course, perhaps the later of the two was gang affiliated (in which case there is both recent and extensive documentary work on the subject).
What causes such alarm is that there is both a body and mind to this beast, or at least this is how the subject is being approached. I’m sure that there have been rogue acts of violence from secular or pocket groups of violent white supremacists, but overall there is an undeniable organizational component at work here, and organization is everything.
I’m sure by now everyone can come to expect a certain degree of sensationalism from any form of entertainment on television, or likewise in print etc. However, I don’t feel that this synopsis is toting a new radical movement to be the next great threat in our lives (global warming holds that slot). I say wait, watch the show, see what they have to say, and then pass judgment.
Posted by BHons | November 14, 2007 12:01 PM
every problem that occurs is about class not race white,black,and latino rich people don't harm other people the lack of money kills people
Posted by anonymous | November 14, 2007 12:04 PM
When we all realize that the black/white, gay/straight, pro-choice/pro-life crap is all a smoke screen to keep our eyes off of the real issues, and us at each others throats. The mega-corps. rape the world and slowly strip us of basic rights, and we blame each other- go after the Carlyle Group!Please wise up to the fact that race/color/gender/orientation etc. means NOTHING to the people in control- money and power matter. Domination of resources matters. Its us against them, not you against me. Kill your TV and wake up.
Posted by Eric | November 14, 2007 12:32 PM
"It appears that skinhead groups around the country are embracing Metzger’s strategy."
This statement is totally incorrect. The direction our groups have taken are the direct result of conclusions we've reached from our experiences within the "movement" and common sense.
If we've taken a cue from anyone it would have to be Dr. Pierce. Someone who lead by example, stressing the importance of discipline, education and action. Something I went over with the director on numerous occasions.
Posted by Keith Carney | November 14, 2007 1:48 PM
Again: To be aware this blog is meant as a forum for a spirited conversation, not a place for personal attacks. That being said, any comments that contain personal attacks on other people that have posted will be not be published. Comments will be not published if they are even deemed by the moderator as a veiled threat. Thank you.
Posted by Greg Chapman | November 14, 2007 1:58 PM
the only reason they are mentioning skinheads because they attack any non-white group not just blacks because if you are not anglo-saxon you are not one of them.....
Posted by angel | November 14, 2007 8:40 PM
I have been in the movement for 21 years. I personally have never been a follower of Metzger. It in fact angers me that all of us are linked to Tom, National Alliance, Vanguard...ect ect. We are not all violent day to day, but have needed to resort to it when needed. I was in the grocery store the other day and I saw a man with a hat reading "Native Pride"...ghawd forbid I wear a shirt that says white pride. And what about Black History month? Do we have a European Mythology Month? Nooo! Why??? Because that would be racist. I guess I could take this in stride and say everyone is truly afraid of us and the possibility that we could take serious control. Medium class whites are starting to come out of the woodwork because of all the immigration issues. No longer are folks afraid to say, "I Don't Want These Mexicans Here." So, I shall entertain myself and watch this documentary that my comrades agreed to do. But, the truth will always be unseen.
Posted by Buffy Balentine | November 14, 2007 8:46 PM
This portrayal of the "American Skinhead" is very inaccurate - and bias. Not all "Racist" Skinheads thrive on violence and chaos. There are extremes in all races, all classes, everything.
I know a lot of Skinheads. I know a lot of Racialists. I should - I am one...did I mention that I am also college educated? Or a mother? How about the fact that I work 50+ hours a week to take care of my family? Or that I could be standing right next to you at the market and you wouldn't have a clue? I've never been arrested. I don't use drugs. I've never had any violent tendencies towards anyone of color. I am not covered in "racist" tattoos - nor do I desire any.
Those people (and others like them) you choose to feature in your story, are nothing but an extreme minority in our Cause, and do not represent the majority.
Posted by Sara | November 14, 2007 9:07 PM
Listen up everyone!!!I am tired of the same old stories of "skinhead is a violent neo nazi culture".IT'S NOT!.What I would really love to see and I know alot of other Traditional Skinhead like myself would appreciate it too,the real story behind the most honorable thing to ever be and that "A Real SKINHEAD"How it really started off reggae.I know the person who seeks the adventure of making a documentary would have something they have fulfilled a great story.
Posted by Mickey | November 14, 2007 10:23 PM
My my, all the skinheads came out of the closet to comment didn't they.
Don't listen to them. WATCH this program instead and learn. It's educational. Listen and realize that they try on websites and internet forums and groups every day to manipulate you with their messages of fear and hate.
Watch this program and learn who the real enemies of America are. It's not the Muslims or the Jews, it's these good old boys trying to masquerade as respectable people who are the real threat to this country. Don't buy their nonsense, don't buy into their fear, don't buy into the racist prejudiced fear mongering or they win.
Posted by Bliss | November 15, 2007 2:23 AM
The racist skinheads are "bandwaggoning" on a movement started in class, not race. Hey racists, do what Metzger says, grow out your hair, cover your tattoos and leave it to traditionals and SHARPS. You are not real skins, period!
Posted by Jangus | November 15, 2007 2:43 AM
My My My Someone actually on here to support us real skinheads
Posted by Andre Aggro | November 15, 2007 4:00 AM
I watched the NatGeo program on the skinheads. I can't help but feel disgust for the ugliness they are trying to spread. Too bad they are too cowardly to go fight the real enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead they'd rather spread their hatred within the SAFETY of the U.S. while the real HEROES are shedding their blood for All the people in America regardless of race and skin color. If these skinheads are not happy here then they should go live in Iceland.
Posted by Elva | November 15, 2007 5:00 AM
I have yet to watch the documentary (plan to on Saturday night), but already, I'm getting the feeling that only the racist point of view was shown. NGC didn't have to try hard on this one obviously, as other channels such as the History Channel and A&E have already fished this lake dry. You would think a channel like National Geographic wouldn't take the easy route on such as issue as skinheads, but, I guess in the end its how many ratings you get. If they wanted to make a truly compelling documentary on the skinhead culture, they would leave the racists out. People see a documentary about this and automatically assume all skins are the same, hate spewing, flag-waving nazis. Nazi skinheads are not real skinheads. Plain and simple. Its been mentioned a couple other times in some comments here, but they seem to go unnoticed. If someone watched this documentary and felt the need to research further, they might actually realize that the number of non-racist skinheads, WORLDWIDE, outnumber the racists and nazis. Look it up sometime people. Look up Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, look up Traditional Skinheads. Actually learn something.
Posted by Rob | November 15, 2007 7:45 AM
Props to Trad Skins!! I was in the scene in the SE during the mid-80's, and the skins I knew had Bob Marley posters on their walls. It was only late in the 80's that racist scum started showing up and polluting the scene. Unfortunatly some felt like these turds from bigger scenes needed to be impressed, and a few followed along. The local paper even interviewed some guys, including a BLACK Skinhead- he made a joke when asked about the racism factor, told the reporter he "burned crosses". Yep, they included the quote in the story- but left out the fact that it was made by a black kid. WTF?!
Posted by Anonymous | November 15, 2007 8:52 AM
My comments to this documentary simply is that society (the one that is deemed politically correct) needs to point the finger towards what is not culturally accepted in America and shun it. Racist Skinheads are everyday people who simply made a choice in life to educate themselves, each other and others of the white race of the problems that affect them and the future. I see no problem with them rallying against Illegal Immigration, a new system of government (by how ours is now it sure isn't that great) and the idea of segregation should be implemented since everything else is in this world, college funds, neighborhoods, etc. I firmly believe that in time we will accept there ideology as our own and embrace it to set new goals for ourselves and this country as white people founded.
Posted by Adam Spangler | November 15, 2007 9:24 AM
I know many skinheads and they all have a strong hate for blacks and mexicans. Many of them were sucked into the group or taken in and paomised many things, but this dude i kno has been to prison many times for attemted murder on blacks. many skinheads fight for their belifs dont take that awat fromm them.
Posted by David | November 15, 2007 1:01 PM
A reasonably decent doc. Although attempts by the producers to paint the participants as "evil" was pretty transparent, there was an element of objectivity which shown through. Interestingly, the violence engaged in by these angry White youth is microscopic when compared to the level of violence which continues to escalate throughout major metropolitan areas both in the United States and abroad. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to forsee where future tax dollars will be spent and on what.
Posted by Eric Davidson | November 15, 2007 1:10 PM
While reading this article, and all of these comments, one question keeps running through my head:
Why can't everybody just get along?
And what's so bad about diversity? What a boring life we'd all have without it.
I think everyone needs to go to counseling and learn the word "love". Just teach your children to live good lives, to LOVE and respect THEMSELVES and EVERYONE ELSE, regardless of race or religion. It's really very simple.
P.S. The older I get, the more I believe that sometimes Kindergarteners are more wise than most adults.
Posted by Amanda | November 15, 2007 1:43 PM
I think all the hate stems from good old fashion jealously. I think people of all races who are struggling or have a very low income become jealous if they see a person of another race is stronger, successful or powerful.
Posted by CC | November 15, 2007 2:02 PM
I heard about the documentary a day late so I can't comment on the veracity or content of the film.
But what I feel is that it is very natural, at our most basic level to be suspicious and hostile to those who are a different from different racial or ethnic groups.
There have been studies of facial recognition and responses done where people tend to select faces similar to their own as someone "friendly" or "trustworthy".
We are of the animal kingdom and we still have those visceral responses to someone outside our tribe...yet we are also creatures blessed with reason and can and should be able to overcome SOME of our instinctive reactions. However, we really need to acknowlege that those instincts reside in us and have a primal value to our survival.
Hatred of a person based SOLEY on their race IS Racism. But acknowledging differences is not. Honoring bloodlines is not. Disliking the idea of racial homegenization is not either.
Posted by Lezlie Lamb | November 15, 2007 5:47 PM
This doc is rather interesting. Coming from a middle class, European American background and residing on the Eastside of St.Paul, Minnesota, I've seen the changes that have caused so much madness here in St.Paul. St.Paul's Eastside was an all white,blue collar ethnically segregated area literally until the early 80's. Germans and Slavs on one block, Italians and Irish on the next and so forth and so on. When people from Laos, Vietnam and Chicago/St.Louis/Detroit (see projects) started to flood into Minnesota for the "social programs", and now the old Eastside has moved East or out all together (except for some of us stubborn folks). Skins I grew up with were acting on the sacrificing of "their neighborhoods" by the bureacracy, while the other sections of the city remained white. So the end of their culture, roots and of the neighborhood was the key to bringing out the "white pride". More as a defense mechanism then anything. Now our beloved Eastside is a pit, drug dealers on the street corners, prostitutes in the residential areas and gangs of all kinds constantly "shaking down" the day to day people. I'm just pointing out the truth, but you do not see white gangs, no white hustlers, no white prostitutes, etc. So, perhaps it's an issue of poverty. Well, there is more to it than that. The culture in Black America is a complete mess. No excuses, just the truth. It's rather odd that the Skinhead subculture would be broken down as a great fear of the average American. Historically speaking most people, not all, choose to associate with people who are like themselves. This should not be considered an evil, but a choice. I do not see segregation as hatred toward others, but love of my kin, my people, my way of life. I do not believe that by showing pride in my Irish, English, Welsh, or Austrian heritage makes me a "person of hate". Something has to be done, or our America will be history's Roman Empire...if it hasn't happened already. When is action considered criminal and when is it considered the fight for liberty, values and the future of my people?
Posted by Egan Phillips | November 15, 2007 6:03 PM
Basically what I would like to see happen is a documentary on Traditional Skinheads (the ONLY skinheads as far as I'm concerned).
Continually making tv shows and documentaries about nazis is pointless. What haven't you already seen?
I know skinheads of all different ethnicities. Real Skinheads are not racist. They know where they came from and embrace their roots. I could care less about there being a new documentary about nazi skinheads. You've seen one, you've seen them all. I would rather people get educated on real skinheads. By 'real' I'm talking about the non-neo nazi's.
Posted by Rob | November 15, 2007 6:13 PM
I agree with many people that the attempts to criminalize all Skinheads in this doc was transparent. However, it's been my experience (I'm a black male) in life with Skinheads, so-called former IRL members, and just other Americans that if you take care of YOUR business and are respectful, you live a quiet life. As for those wanting coverage of the bloods, crips, and MS-13, NGC has covered them in separate docs as well. Look up the DVD's they are actually pretty decent.
My advice to everyone:believe what you want to believe in. Just educate yourself before you start speaking on topics outside of your everyday experiences. Seriously, hip-hop is not a blueprint for black men who want to kill white people and the Skinhead movement is not the biggest threat facing non-whites in the country. That title belongs to irresponibility and self-defeating behavior!
Posted by Will | November 16, 2007 10:02 AM
Could you have used anymore 90's stock footage? And I love the way you used the fat guy with the beer half a dozen times. I am sure a decade old personage is fitting to the modern american skin.
Posted by Anonymous | November 16, 2007 6:02 PM
'tis true Eric - unfortunately most are blinkered within our own small worlds and feel inadequately challenged to take on those that really control us. We could but we won't because our petty distractions continually give us something more tangible to help feed our burgeoning egos ;) Interesting compositions like this documentary, are really distractions and many get caught in the wave and instead of trying to swim to the side, decide to embrace the ride.
My advice to those that care: look up and see whom are holding the puppet strings - it's definitely not your fellow puppets! Wake up and feel the breeze when the lid opens occasionally. Disclaimer: Unfortunately, history shows us that we'll be too busy persecuting each other to notice!
Posted by James | November 16, 2007 6:07 PM
It is very sad that when the decision was made to do a documentary on skinheads you decided to focus only on the smallest sub sect of a small underground culture. Skinheads are a very small sub culture in the US to begin with and racist skins are a tiny sub group of that. This documentary does nothing more than spread the myth that skinheads are a bunch a racists trying to take over the country. It is the same tactics various TV media outlets have been using since the 1980s.
I was just disappointed that National Geographic would stoop to such a low, going for shock and ratings instead of the truth. Documentaries like this do nothing more than create more hate against people like punks, skinheads who may look and /or dress a bit different.
Posted by Byron Johnson | November 17, 2007 11:42 AM
Southgate, CA went from 99% white in the 40's to 1.29% white today.
When you live through the results of such dramatic leftist policies it really makes you wonder why it had to happen.
When the strawberry fields, dairy farms, avocado orchards, and orange groves turn into cement varrios manned by La Raza gangmembers bent on Reconquesta (maybe a show should be done about that) and liberals seeking to use government power in an authoritarian way to force their view of the world on everyone, the only question left is how can we turn it around and get the America we used to love so much back?
Many of us law abiding citizens who have paid our share of taxes for decades and are not racists simply don't want to ignore the dramatic changes that have swept the SouthWest, our birthplace, in a single generation but are powerless to stop it. So we vote and wait to see how far it will all go.
Posted by Law Abiding Tax Payer | November 17, 2007 8:18 PM