Portrayals of White Nationalism in Film And Print

Reading Autobiography Of A Recovering Skinhead and American History X are two popular portrayals of white nationalism. From both, you learn about a fictional, yet realistic way that Edward Norton's character became a white nationalist, and a true story of how Frank was lured. I think that even though it seems logical for the most part of how someone would become a white nationalist it is helpful to see where they came from and what influenced their decisions. Frank's story especially was very helpful because most of the time you see the end result, a white nationalist, and don't think about what made them become that way. The detail of his background gave a lot of pretext that you normally don't get and is very helpful in understanding how the hatred he had for himself and others (his mom for choosing sex, to put in nicely, over him, etc.), the neglect he was faced with, and the impressionable age he was at which ultimately made him feed into the ideology of white supremacy. In an interview he stated about parents, "that’s where you learn all of your morals and your humanity if you have any," which shows what he views his parents failed to do without having to actually say it. You hear so often that people are a product of their environment, but seem to forget this when you see a white nationalist because most are too busy writing them off as crazy or extreme. Though from the title you think oh this is going to be just about his white nationalist days, but there is way more to it. The neglect he felt from his family led him to never really feel loved and there is a large theme of love and wanting to be accepted throughout the book, which is summed up in the final few sentences where he mentions that he went to his sons school and he states, "someday, when he's a lot older, I'm going to tell my son the whole story of the thirty-one-year trip I took to surprise him at school. That afternoon, though, all my boy needed to hear was the only thing I wanted to say. "I love you"." That was what he wanted to hear for so long and never did, and didn't want his kids to think why did their dad choose death over them. Though that isn't the main focus of the story I came away with that and it really helps tie everything together as a good story, even though this is a real mans life and not a story. Also, you see how all consuming white supremacy is and how at times there is no way to escape dealing with people that they despise, at least for the characters when they were in jail. I can't imagine having so much hatred all the time, I would be so exhausted if I had to be that way. Frank has said, “American History X isn’t my story. It’s every skinhead’s story to some extent… it was every other kid who ever got sucked up into the white supremacy movement.” Though they overlooked certain aspects of the experience Derek had, like lasting repercussions of being raped, they did a really good job of depicting white nationalists accurately, since white nationalists seem to love it and I have heard nothing negative about the depiction. Though the movie reaffirms all white nationalist ideology the movie shows aspects of how it affects the family, which you don't see a ton in Franks story since the family was already extremely dysfunctional. I think that it was really nice to see how white supremacy functions in a family that isn't fully involved in the movement and how that affects their relationships, interactions and power dynamics. I know for me I never really thought about how being a white nationalist would affect a family or about white nationalists having families that may not have the same views. In terms of music and it's connection to the book and film was used as a social medium. In the book Frank talks about going to compounds for the weekend and learning about Identity theology, how to shoot and then going to concerts (also for recruitment reasons). These concerts created solidarity, reaffirmed their beliefs and were a place to drink at his young age, which most kids think is pretty cool on it's own. Also, they listened to music when partying and drinking, which he did often because it helped to escape reality. In American History X there isn't a ton of white nationalist music, but when they did have some it was in the party scene when Derek is telling Cameron that he needs to leave his brother alone and they are out of the movement. This is also a scene that is used for social reasons and creates the solidarity that they need in a multicultural city.

Personal Connection

Growing up listening to rap music, I have always been a fan. Though as I have gotten older I have started liking more conscious or "college" rap as I call it, because there is an actual meaning to it and has a message very different than most mainstream rap songs. This has become even more so as I have furthered in my major (CES and Sociology). Being from Seattle I like a lot of local artists, such as Blue Scholars and Macklemore, both who often speak of race. class, gender, and other social constructs and social factors.

Here are some examples...

"I see so many people lost who really try to pretend
But am I just another white boy who has caught on to the trend
When I take a step to the mic is hip-hop closer to the end?
'Cause when I go to shows the majority have white skin
They marketed the windmill, the air flair and head spin
and white rappers albums really get the most spins
the face of hip hop has changed a lot since Eminem
and if he's taking away black artists' profits I look just like him
claimed a culture that wasn't mine, the way of the American
hip hop is gentrified and where will all the people live
it's like the central district, beacon hill to the south end
being pushed farther away because of what white people did, now
where's my place in a music that's been taken by my race
cultural appropriated by the white face
and we don't want to admit that this is existing
so scared to acknowledge the benefits of our white privilege
cause it's human nature to want to be part of something different
especially when your ancestors are European Christians
and most whites don't want to acknowledge this is occurring
cause we got the best deal, the music without the burden
of being black in a system that really wants you to rock
cause all you need is a program and you can go and make hip-hop
and we hate the mainstream cause we're the ones that took it
now we listen to Aesop Rock and wear t-shirts that say Brooklyn
but it's not about black and white right
I mean good music is good music regardless of what you look like
but when you don't give them props isn't that selfish?
that's like saying rock was actually started by Elvis
so where does this leave me?
I feel like I pay dues but I'll always be a white MC
I give everything I have when I write a rhyme
but that doesn't change the fact that this culture's not mine
But I'm gonna be me so please be who you are
this is something that's effortless and shouldn't be hard
I said I'm gonna be me so please be who you are
but we still owe 'em 40 acres now we've stolen their 16 bars
hip-hop started off in a block that I've never been to
to counter act a struggle that Ive never even been through
if I think I understand just because I flow too
that means I'm not keeping it true, nope
hip-hop started off in a block that I've never been to
to counter act a struggle that I've never even been through
if I think I understand just because I flow too
that means I'm not keeping it true, I'm not keeping it true
now I don't rap about guns so they label me conscious
but I don't rap about guns cause I wasn't forced into the projects
see I was put in the position where I could chose my options
blessed with the privilege that my parent's could send me to college
now who's going to shows the kids on the block starving
or the white people with dough that can relate to my content?
marketed the music now adapted to the lifestyle
what happened to jazz and rock and roll is happening right now
where's my place in the music that's been taken by the media
with white corporations controlling what their feeding ya
I brought up Aesop rock but I'm not even dissing dude
we love hip-hop and what do you think Caucasians are listening to
and I speak freely when I write this
if a black emcee examined race there goes half their fan base, white kids
and this is so true. and we didn't even have to fight the system
we just went and picked up the microphone too
and we got good at it so we should be rapping
but only supporting them is like burning Jimmy and buying Clapton
now Clapton's incredible. but no Jimmy no foundation
so here comes history and the cultural appropriation
white kids with do rags trying to practice their accents
from the suburbs to the upper class mastering a language
but hip-hop is not just memorizing words
it's rooted in authenticity something you literally can't learn
But I'm gonna be me so please be who you are
this is something that's effortless and shouldn't be hard
I said I'm gonna be me so please be who you are
but as I'm blessed with the privilege, they're still left with the scars

hip-hop started off in a block that I've never been to
to counter act a struggle that Ive never even been through
if I think I understand just because I flow too
that means I'm not keeping it true, nope
hip-hop started off in a block that I've never been to
to counter act a struggle that Ive never even been through
if I think I understand just because I flow too
that means I'm not keeping it true, I'm not keeping it true"
--White Privilege by Macklemore




"A couple pale folks slide right by with no greeting
But the people with my phenotype follow with a head-nod up
Because we acknowledge that the shit's fucked up

North of Martin Luther King: a straight war zone
Detours through the concrete, cranes, and bulldozers
No, the Hill is not over still
Every block got a coffee shop; it's overkill
Focus, know the deal
Dope to see Kalil back, the medicine is good again
The feeling: illegal, and coming back to your hood again
It's priceless, I write this, our lives are in crisis
Most talk, but don't walk, the path of the righteous
Despite this...
I measure each step, walkin' closer to my final destination of death
When I'm layin' to rest, I'm only savin' my breath
The Northwest fills my lungs, heals the pain in my chest
Clutch the moment, a transfer in my hand
Still listening
Lookin' out the window to the gold and the gray
And the sun might be shinin' but it's colder than it seems
'Cause the weather's dialectical: there's no in-between

In walks an old soul
A First Nation native, cat's chiseled like a totem pole
No words, as he stands and looks over us
He gets off and says, "Have a good day, you foreigners."
I, crack a smile one time for the acknowledgement."
--Joe Metro by Blue Scholars


"I grew up on Capitol Hill
with two parents and two cars.
They had a beautiful marriage, we even had a swing set in our yard.
My mom didn't have a job, because my dad made enough money that we could live comfortably and he could support us.
Now, he commute to Tacoma, so we knew we be good.
But then I realized everybody looked just like me in my neighborhood.
I go to school, which was diverse.
But indeed us, I got sandwiches and carpi suns well my friends ate their free lunch.
It's crazy trying to look back, cause when I was growing up
I didn't understand the fact was there's something called a social status.
And my black friends wanted my financial bracket.
And then my city's divided,
from neighborhood to neighborhood
We're polarized but we claim we're progressive.
The police shoot in the hood but never once in my residence.
As a white person been shot at we'd stopped in a Lexus.
And to think that we have claimed that so much has changed
since Brown verses the bored of education and Roe verses Wade.
But around my way it all stays the same,
they just figured out a way to separate the black and white ways."
--Claiming The City by Macklemore

"Conscious" rap brings up aspects of our culture that are not usually talked about even though they should be. This disrupts that narratives that our society have created. Though we see ourselves as progressive and the United States as a far better place than it used to be, these rappers are making it conscious that our country is not as great of a place than we would like to think. For Seattle, they are making us realize that race, class and other issues are an issue here too, and not just in other places and that we are somehow above all of that because it is a diverse place. Macklemore especially, because he is white when he says something about having privileges, injustice or anything else that disrupts the narrative it is taken more seriously at least for white people. When someone that is white says something about race, etc. it weighs heavier because this is something that most white people do not complain about since it benefits them. Though it makes people think more about if a white person is saying this and making it conscious to other that there is a problem, especially since most white people don't realize these privileges because it is normalized. Though there are people that take what Blue Scholars and other groups say about race, and take their messages and learn from them. The fact that both are mentioning any of these topics and talking about what a lot of people think or don't say is very commendable. Though for white nationalists they would view both of these as ridiculous. Blue Scholars could easily be spreading messages of miscegenation and attacking whites, while Macklemore is also spreading miscegenation and would be one of the whites that have "lost" their future and have been influenced by other races and could be used as an example of what whites could become. Macklemore would probably be viewed as superior anyway just because of his race, and according to a contributor on Stormfront's message board stated of white rappers, "But given time the white rappers are far better at the music then black rappers, being lost or not. It is to bad that they have lost their heritage. Try not to kick their ass. Look at them as sick." These are just a few of the many Seattle artists that speak of real issues, but are two that I thoroughly enjoy.

Turn It Down

The Turn It Down campaign (sponsored by the building democracy initiative) is trying to combat the forces and prevalence of white nationalist music in America. The mission for Turn It Down is best stated on their homepage, "Turn It Down is youth, bands, parents, teachers, and friends in the record industry speaking out, standing up, and turning down the sounds of hate. Thousands of young people and hundreds of bands, record labels, distributors, pressing facilities, and booking agents have joined to work against the spread of hatred. White power music has become the most significant recruiting tool for organized bigots across the globe. It has succeeded in infiltrating numerous youth subcultures, transforming healthy youth rebellion into hardcore white supremacy. The Turn It Down Campaign seeks not to demonize all youth culture, but to create a culture that is immune to the hatred and violence that white power music represents by teaming with young people, parents and teachers, and the record industry." They have many, many, helpful resources on their site in hopes of helping to stop white power music. In their news section, they post various articles on the topic, as Social Networking: A Place For Hate about an HBO documentary called Hate.com, which helps to understand how the Internet is utilized in the movement as a recruitment tool. An information section offering a resource kit booklet with various ways of understanding or recognizing white nationalist things (symbols to hate speech), dealing with various situations, and ways to help the campaign progress through action is in my opinion the best resource they offer on the site. Also offering a report that highlights various important aspects on youth music subcultures, such as Neo Nazis. They also have specific sections for youth, parents and teachers, and for the music industry. The music industry section specifically helps to persuade them to not tolerate hate, give a list of known white power bands to look out for, and to put pressure on others to follow in the footsteps of those that do not support white power music. The last thing they do is create a CD, but not just any CD. The sites says, “Throughout our ten-plus years of tracking and fighting hate across music subcultures, the Turn It Down Campaign has also made it our business to recognize and support bands and labels who take strong stands against bigotry. As necessary as it is to track those who would hijack our scenes to promote hate, it is equally crucial to work with antiracist efforts. We have published extensive resources, assembled rosters of bands and other elements of the music industry who support our efforts, and worked closely with touring bands to share information and ideas. Now we’ve taken it a step further. Earlier this year, word trickled out that Tightrope Records – headed up by Bryant Cecchini, formerly of Resistance and Panzerfaust Records – planned a follow-up to the 2004 Project Schoolyard compilation. While we’re happy to report that this sad sequel attempt to recruit youth to the white power movement has made barely a ripple, its release started a conversation between Turn It Down and Insurgence Records. Insurgence has long been known as one of the most vital voices in the antiracist scene. The Toronto-based label has produced such overtly anti-fascist bands as The Oppressed, Klasse Kriminale, The Press and The Prowlers. Insurgence was just as irate as we were to learn that the racist fringe would once again target our youth with a collection of (truly awful) music. So we decided to do something. And now, a few months after that conversation began, we’re proud to announce the release of Northern Aggression: Project Boneyard Volume II – a compilation of hardcore, punk and more that Insurgence asserts is “without question, the best collection we’ve ever compiled.” Turn It Down and Insurgence have pooled our efforts and resources to categorically answer the efforts of those who think music fans and youth can be so easily won over by lousy music and idiotic ideology. This comp is stellar. For starters, it has made us love hardcore again has renewed our faith in smart street punk. We’ve found a bunch of incredible bands we didn’t know, and we’ve rediscovered a few we hadn’t heard in a while. More than anything, though, Northern Aggression has proven that plenty of people will readily take a stand against hate in our music scenes." The site is primary function is to raise awareness that we tolerate hateful music in a country that says we respect free speech, but not if it harms others, and that it needs to end. They are taking great strides in contributing to the efforts of banning white power music, though it will be tough and will take a lot more people to join in the endeavor.

The Oppressed is one of the bands of the man featured bands on the album...

Mainstream vs. Extreme

We often talk about White Nationalists in terms of being crazy, radical or extremist compared to mainstream America. Though, the internet and music is a good way to explain how the mainstream and extreme are connected and influence each other. In the book Cyber Racism, Daniels states that her book "discusses a number of cases in which white supremacist rhetoric online leads to harm in real life, and the analysis aims to balance these attacks' potential versus real threat." As the internet becomes an important part of our lives and as the extreme continues to infiltrate their messages through the internet it becomes hard to form distinctions between mainstream and extreme. I have mentioned before that iTunes sells white supremacist music. This is one major way that white supremacist ideology has permeated into the mainstream culture. The ease of being able to access this genre so easily with a few clicks of the mouse is remarkable, since at one time like I mention in the post The History Of White Nationalist Music that two decades ago it was very difficult to get your hands on it unless you knew the right person. Selling over 10 billion songs and still selling a ton of music every day, this is a major distributor of music and is one of the smartest places for white nationalists to try and sell their music. It is important to note that not all of the music that they sell is blatantly racist, though much of it is, which you can tell generally just by the name. Although the music that is more covert that is the stuff the mainstream needs to look out for, because for the most part it sounds like any other kind of angry music (usually, but not always aggressive sounding). This is a smart way for white nationalists to penetrate their ideology slowly into the mainstream, though the consumer of the music is also a big part of the picture. White nationalists have taken great measures to adapt with changing technology especially with the internet. When the internet first became a big deal, they just copy and pasted the information they were transmitting through newsletters, etc. straight to the internet. What was pervasive and good for newsletters wasn't a good format or way of displaying information on the internet. So at the beginning it wasn't effective. This is one cue that white nationalists took from the mainstream. The successful website formats that the mainstream were adopting were models for following white nationalist sites. These have been very effective, because they look legitimate and have adapted proper presentations of information that works best for the internet. The way we think about white nationalists is another way in terms of looks is a way that we might not think of being connected since what we picture and what white nationalists look like on a day to day basis is not always the same. For instance we might picture a white nationalist being hooded, when in actuality they work and have different jobs that would make them need to dress as a mainstream person would. David Duke is a great example of this because he is often seen in suits, I mean seeing this man would you think he is a white nationalist based on the mainstream stereotype of what a white nationalist looks like? Also, throughout the history of America we have had a persistent, what we would now call racist ideology, though at the time it was completely normal. Though we see ourselves as more progressive now and "know better," the foundation and thoughts are still there because of hegemonic shifts and other various reasons. There is not one person that can say they don't think a racist thought every once in a while and if they do they are lying. Though the ideology is still used among white nationalist, though some variation. This is the biggest way that the mainstream and extreme are connected. Though we see white nationalists as extreme and ourselves and those around us as far from that, there are many, many ways in which we are similar, share a lot in common, and are connected.

Nazi Pop Twins

Searching for music you often come across the same few popular bands, One being Prussian Blue. With images of two white girls with bright blue eyes used as an icon for most of their songs (at least on YouTube). Upon first glance it seems as if it is just an image to portray the idea that there is a need to secure a future for white women and children, though this image is actually of the members of the band Prussian Blue. Two, twin girls Lynx and Lamb Gaede, age 14 at the time of the original film, now 19. The name Prussian Blue refers to the chemical residue that Holocaust deniers use as proof that gas chambers were never used for killing. This film was intended to follow the lives of these two girls as white nationalist pop singers, yet greater issues and a second purpose for the film developed, though I will not discuss at this time. One important point from a onlooker in the film states that these girls are innocent faces, behind a hideous ideology. This is a very smart move for the white power movement to use these girls to include young listeners or even for others that are not into the hardcore, angry music that you typically hear. It is no coincidence that their mother is a prominent member of the white power movement, with her own radio show on Stormfront. Agenda? I would think so, but of course she has well thought out oppositions for such claims. Though there is a good amount of information about white power music there is not a ton about the personal lives of artists and the position of children within this sphere. As the film goes on it is more and more salient that the views presented in the girls music, according to the film maker, is used as a mouthpiece for the mothers own extreme views." In particular, as the girls start experiencing problems the mother moves them from California to Montana to "give them a normal life." Though their mother April was still able to be as prominent as she ever was in the movement. Daniels states, "When it comes to political mobilization, the Internet undisputedly amplifies many messages, values, and ideas. People interested in the same ideas can easily connect using the Internet, and, as such, the Internet amplifies those connections and strengthens networks of like-minded people. The neologism cyberactivism refers to the proliferation of social movement organizations that avail themselves of Internet technologies to further their goals, which often include promoting a more inclusive, democratic society." In the film it mentions that they move to small town that is almost exclusively white and that April's activism had halted since the move, yet she was still doing her radio show for Stormfront. The effects of the Internet on movements such as this one seems as if it is not fully known or clear to those that are somewhat ignorant of the movement. To me, it seemed completely contradictory to say that and then right after show her doing her show, because it is definitely still a form of activism. Though Daniels does claim, "for activists in extremist white supremacist organization, like other in obscure subcultures, the Internet provides a relatively inexpensive venue for widespread communication of their ideas unimpeded by monitors or wardens. Whether or not this wider availability of white supremacy online politically mobilizes the movement remains to be seen." Perhaps because the effects on mobilization of the movement are not known yet people do not see cyberactivism as true activism (or maybe just in this case). Although there are many, many aspects of this film that could be discussed, including white guilt, the use of the term white separatist vs. white nationalism, etc., this is an important point because white nationalists are often seen as not being effective and are written off, yet this example shows the pervasiveness and real threat that stems from cyberactivism. You can find out what happens with the girls and their mother by watching the film for yourself, which I recommend.

To see the entire versions of both parts of the film click on the option on the top of each video







Wonder what happened to the girls?


Somewhat unrelated, according to Seattles The Stranger April has a new job, you will never guess what it could be.

Issues with iTunes

iTunes is one of the largest providers of digital media and has only been getting bigger. As of October 4th, iTunes sold it's 16 billionth song. This is obviously a place you would want to get your music on if you are an artist. For those that make or distribute white power music this is a place you must get your music onto if you want to reach as many people as possible in this day and age. However, that is the problem. White power music is distributed in mass amounts through iTunes. Other popular music sites they have not been as successful establishing a firm grasp in their market. On sites such as MySpace they have many civil rights groups putting pressure on them to take down hate filled music as soon as it is put on the site. A major group that is against the distribution of white power music on iTunes are those affiliated with change.org. They are among many that think of white power music being a recruitment tool to gain youth followers and see it as a large risk. This organization states, "such music should be relegated to the margins where it belongs, and not be given legitimacy through affiliation with a large network like iTunes. In the past, the company has taken steps to remove homophobic music that promotes violence towards sexual minorities. Tell Apple that just as it stood against hatred towards the LGBT community, the company must stand up against racism by banning white power music." There is a lot of talk about why there are measures taken about groups that are often marginalized like LGBT, but not when it comes to hateful music about race, class and gender. This is an example of a typical song you can find on iTunes..

Daniels declares, "White supremacy online is a global issue and creates new challenges for critical race theory--and specifically for the idea that words can wound (that is, that hate speech causes real harm in real life). Critical race theory places race in the center of the analysis with the stories of victims of hate speech as the starting point. Those who believe that speech can do lasting harm understand the urgency of addressing the problems posed by white supremacy online. We see free speech as a right of everyone and think of white nationalist groups as extreme as if they do no harm. People seem to forget hate speech causes real harm. Though with the amount of whites in positions of power in corporations (and I assume iTunes) they don't understand the full effect because they have never faced that "real harm." It's easy to make decisions about these people when you haven't experienced knowing someone that has been affected by hate speech or have been a victim yourself, because it doesn't harm you or people you know. Daniels also talks about a protocol that was designed to address online racism in other countries that the U.S. did not partake in. She says, "The protocol, signed by twelve member states, reflects a strong European stance against hate speech online and stands in stark contrast to the American view that white supremacist rhetoric ought to be protected as free speech. One legal scholar refers to these divergent reactions to white supremacy online as "the U.S.-Europe cyberhate divide." The cyberhate divide also means that the United States is the global destination of choice for those wishing to create and distribute white supremacy online without fear of prosecution. It is critically important that we consider white supremacy online in a global context and understood how the United States' position on "protected speech" undermines global efforts to combat this insidious racism." This is an unfortunate thing for a country that prides itself on being diverse, accepting and being this great place to live, but our hidden values portray a much different reality.

On the other hand, white nationalists or others that want iTunes to sell this music think that it is a right of free speech. They feel like they have the right to distribute music and to tell their "side of the story" that they have not been able to say freely in the past. They use this as yet another way that whites are victimized.

We will see what happens in the future with white nationalist music distribution on iTunes. But, in their defense companies can choose whether or not they want to support the content they distribute. Myspace made it clear that this type of music does not portray the values their company has and iTunes has not yet taken a stance.

Racial Purity

Racial purity is a major point in white nationalist ideology. This idea influences most, if not all of their thoughts and actions. As we have seen they use themselves as victims of racial oppression, that racial differences are rooted into the history of our country, race has been used in a variety of ways to create a hierarchy and to justify the perceived superiority of whites to white nationalists, and this is just a few of many examples that we could discuss. Ferber states in the early chapters of her book, " the various groups share the belief that races are essentially and eternally different, believe in the necessity of keeping the races separate, and believe that miscegenation is the "ultimate abomination." An abomination because it is the greatest threat to white purity. The picture to the left with the quote referring to "The Jew as a Desecrator of Racial Purity" When it comes to music, the idea of racial purity is important. More than anything, it is used to promote the idea, create solidarity among members and reinforce prior beliefs or racial purity. Although some think it is a good recruiting tool, it is more of an enforcer. Now that the internet has become a large database for music, especially white nationalist music, it is easy for the manifest functions of their music to work as intended. Unlike a decade or two ago when white nationalist music was only a slight reinforcement of their beliefs, since it was so hard to come by and many did not have access to it. Racial purity is the main theme among white nationalist music. You can see this first hand by just going onto YouTube and searching "white nationalism music." You will see such songs as, White Pride Worldwide, Aryan Pride, Land of The White and White Rider, by popular bands such as Smiling White Faces, The Final War, and Skrewdriver. The names of the song show a little more obviously this theme of white purity, but the band names often do too. Though white nationalists refer to it as having white pride there is often purity undertones (though not very subtle) and if it does not, like I mentioned, their pride stems from the idea of racial purity because of their beliefs in inherent differences and white superiority.

Daniels suggests, "The least recognized--and hence, most insidious--threat posed by white supremacy online is the epistemological menace to our accumulation and production of knowledge about race, racism, and civil rights in the digital era. As David Duke suggests in the above epigraph, his goal in bringing white supremacy to the Internet is racial "enlightenment" by making "the truth" available to millions. Duke's brand of white supremacy undermines hard-won political battles for racial and ethnic equality rearticulating an essentialist notion of white racial purity borrowing the rhetoric of civil rights. This is an example of the epistemology of white supremacy, "an inverted epistemology," as philosopher Charles W. Mills has noted, "an epistemology of ignorance," ironically resulting in whites generally being ""unable to understand the world that they themselves have made." The epistemology of white supremacy reinforces the white racial frame by allowing whites to retreat from pluralistic civic engagement into a whites-only digital space where the can question the cultural values of tolerance and racial equality unchallenged outside that frame." This is an incredibly important point, and though not exactly the same the use of inaccurate statistics is used often by these groups. Obviously not in the music, but if for instance you are looking up white nationalist music you are bound to come across a video like this one (this particular video was in a white nationalist playlist, so I just assumed it was a song)...

So this epistemology of ignorance generates "truths" that are clearly inaccurate and often true facts taken out of contexts,, yet can influence the thoughts of people that are "mainstream" through time through their own ignorance. So even though theses are not generally problems you find in the music, it is definitely related and easy to see when searching for music.

In class we often talk about how people view white nationalists as extremists and not a "normal person." So, when I stumbled upon a last.fm page for Stormfront even I was surprised. Last.fm is a music site that tracks the music you listen to and suggests music you may like (like Facebook for music). This is just another way that white nationalists influence the mainstream and vice versa. Which makes the notions of white purity infiltrate mainstream society, even if it is only a miniscule amount, and a place for white nationalists to converse and create solidarity among members just as anyone else can.

Literature

As a college student books and other reading materials are a large part of school life and I spend much of my time doing research. This is a great way of understanding what people are discussing or purposing about the topic of interest. When it comes to white nationalist music there are not a ton of books written, but often is mentioned in biography's. The books that are specifically about music or have sections on music are generally about how it mobilizes racism. The manifest functions of white power movement music it to create solidarity among members and try to attract newcomers. This has been a lot easier to do through better technology. A few decades ago, there were many limitations on the ability to distribute music, especially to those wanting it but not knowing where to look. You would have to go to great lengths to find a person with this sort of music. Thus the internet has been a great gift to those trying to get out their messages through music or those trying to find some, especially with the capability of search engines such as YouTube and Google (I used Google to find information). One of the books I found was I Found It on the Internet by Frances Jacobson Harris. This book is not strictly about white nationalist groups, but does discuss what most other literature also brings up, however in specific terms of the internet. Most know that teenagers spend a lot of time using the internet, so this is a perfect place to market to younger generations since white power music is not sold in record stores. They mention that there is not enough evidence yet to see whether music on the internet is an effective way of recruiting new members to the various movements, but it is clear that music is important to teens (though most white nationalist sites I have seen that mention music do think that this is their greatest recruiting tool). Harris states, "Music imprints our coming-of-age with a indelible time stamp, differentiating each generation from the previous one. Those who understand this phenomenon have learned to manipulate it to their advantage." This is why teens are one of the larger groups of those listening to this genre. However, in general white power music is being listened to at an astronomical level. Like I mentioned in The History Of White Power Music post, white power music was listened to as copies of a copy and didn't really emerge till the music was made on CD's, though it was still hard to get a hold of. It is no wonder with the wide sweeping ability the internet has created for all aspects of life, that white power music would be at the same advantage as anything else the internet has helped. You can find white power music on YouTube, iTunes, and is just a search away on Google or any other search engine. In my opinion, I believe that this is a smart move for white nationalists to use this as a recruiting tool especially for those at an impressionable age. Also, when I listen to music, more than when I was younger, I like music with a message or "college music or smart music" as I call it that isn't just talking about (excuse my language) getting money and bitches. I would still consider myself impressionable, so when I hear something that is eye opening and informative it changes my perception of the world slightly, like white power music could do to those that 5-8 years younger than me.

While finding information about the youth in accordance to white power music I stumbled upon this article from 2004 about Project Schoolyard in which a white nationalist music label wanted to distribute their music at schools. Check it out if you want to know more and see how far people are going to spread their music to children.

Also, I thought I would leave you with another song..

Stormfront

Stormfront, a popular White Nationalist website offers forum for people to discuss whatever their hearts desire. When it comes to music, there is literally any and everything being discussed related to the topic in the discussion board. A few things stood out to me. One of the first was how many people were asking if people were starting or needing members for White Nationalist bands. I guess like other people wanting to start bands, there is a desire within this community as well, which should come to no surprise but to me I didn’t think there were that many bands or that there was a longing to join one. It just seems very normal, when it is hard to see them as normal people. Another was that there was talk about rap music. There was only one thread that was asking what was the best rap and rock collaboration but it stood out. It sounded like it could have been a joke by someone who wasn’t a White Nationalist because it was obvious to me that it was against their disdain for the genre and I was thinking what are these people going to say about this. Though when reading further the person who posted it was chastised and questioned about why they would even ask such a question being told that they would even be punched in the face if they asked this to one of the commenter’s in person. One even likened the topic to being equivalent to “Opinions on your favorite Black on White gangbang porn.” Also, for me any talk about mainstream music stuck out, such as Lady Gaga and Adele. In the case of Lady Gaga they were discussing whether or not they thought she was white or not. In the end most decided she was a Jew because she has a “Jew nose,” along with other stereotypical features and a “star without talent…which is a typical situation among Jew dominated media”. She was also called a degenerate and even if she was white she was spreading the messages Jews want to spread in media and being destructive to Whites. When it came to Adele a few people were speaking of her amazing voice, which is obvious. However, as you read farther on more and more people say that she sounds like Aretha Franklin, because of her jazz like sound, and that she is promoting the sound of “negro” music because of her deep tone and raspy voice. Few said that she did not appeal to them, which sounds crazy to me because she is an amazing artist, but their opinions reflect their ideology 100 percent. Jews running the media and portraying “Jew messages.” The racial hierarchy, when they talk about Adele and Lady Gaga promoting minority music. Also, they are written off in this discussion, which reminded me that Ferber states, “Feminism is represented as a threat to gender difference because it questions gender stratification and inequality.” Especially for Lady Gaga who promotes equality for all people, focusing a ton of time on gay rights advocacy, I’m sure they see her as an abomination of the White race. But as it always does, everything comes back to their fundamental ideals. There are also posts about which is their favorite White Power band and talk of various white power bands as well.

This is the Adele video that was originally shown. I think she is amazing!

The History Of White Nationalist Music

Before we can understand where White Nationalist music is today it is important to know where it came from. There is not a ton written about the history, but I figured it might be useful to get an idea of where it came from a Nationalist perspective. When researching, I came across a transcript of a radio broadcast produced in 2006 presented by Shaun Walker, called The Growth of White Power Music. Though he is a White Nationalist he gives as close to an unbiased view of how the music scene emerged as possible for his views, with the exception of stating numerous times that the "Jews" control the record labels, which is why it was so hard for their music to emerge into the mainstream. According to Walker, there had been a long history of pro-white music in America, first noting the 1800's. Songs such as Oh Susanna, which many people know parts of these days, but probably not the whole song. At one point mentioning " De Lectrie fluid magnified, and killed 500 nigger". This is a very mild example, with many other songs referencing much worse. At the time this would be considered an appropriate thing to say in American culture, but by our standards today these songs would obviously be considered hateful. Around the time of the Civil Rights Movement, there was a decline in pro-white music and no record labels would release music of this sort. The timing was bad, with the dramatic changes the U.S. was making in the social structure. Though there were a few bands/ artists that had moderate success with songs such as "Move those Niggers North." Classy right? But as all of the information I have found on White Nationalist music has stated, in the late 70's an English band by the name of Skrewdriver dramatically changed the scene for the pro-white music. They brought it back with a bang you could say? Walker mentions their success was forever limited when they decided to become a White Nationalist band, though they opened for a few well known bands, like The Clash, and could have been as successful if they continued to play mainstream music. For a little over a decade pro-white music was hard to get a hold of. Most of the time it was a bad recording or recording of a bad recording that people were listening to. Finally, in the early 90s the first CD was made in America, ironically by a Chinese man. From there the growth has continued and now there are many small and a few large record companies producing large amounts of White Nationalist music (Resistance Records, Prophecy Records, etc.), with an average of one or two new CD's released out each month. With the youth being the target audience to get involved in the movement, there is a great need to utilize sites that they use to reach them, mostly social media (MySpace Music, etc). Even though the government has many ways of controlling and banning what is put on social media sites White Nationalists are evolving as regulations change to find other ways to spread their messages. Also, there are still very popular forms of music distribution that are not being regulated, such as iTunes. This is one of the largest ways that White Nationalists spread their messages at this point in time. Only time can tell where this genre will go in the future, depending on government regulations, changing views, and many other factors that we will have to wait till they happen to see the impact.




It would only be appropriate to leave you with a Skrewdriver song, called Back With A Bang. Take a listen.