Extremist groups

Extremists are minority groups within a society whose goals are to enforce their beliefs on the wider population. Generally, their views are considered unmoral and misinformed, and do not fit in with the opinions of most members of the general public. I have never really understood why people hate someone simply based on things such as ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or skin color, but unfortunately there are many people who discriminate against a person for these very reasons. The Internet has opened up enormous opportunities for extremist groups, allowing them to share their ideas on a global scale, as well as to recruit new members. What began as a small computer network has become a mass medium, and as communication technologies have advanced, these groups have kept up. Information posted on the Internet is available 24 hours a day from anywhere on the planet, and every user has a chance to broadcast their ideas to the world.

Extremist groups were among the very early users of electronic communication (Gerstenfeld, 2003). In 1985, the leader of the White Aryan Resistance, Tom Metzger, created a computer bulletin board. From that point on these groups have been avid users of the Internet. Organisations such as The Intelligence Project monitor hate groups and extremist activities throughout the U.S. They publish a magazine called the intelligence report, informing law enforcement and the public on what it is currently investigating. However, it is simply impossible to monitor or control everything that is leaked onto the Internet.

The Southern Poverty Law Center counted 926 active hate groups in the United States in 2008. One of the sites I looked at was Aryan Nations. (http://www.aryan-nations.org/) This group claims that "they are a worldwide Pan-Aryan crusade dedicated to the preservation and advancement of our Race.” They share similar views to Adolf Hitler and aspire to a pure white America. Much of the content on this site expresses extreme hatred and some of their views can only be described as disturbing. The really worrying thing is that anyone can pay a visit to these sites. Who knows how many people could be influenced to join their cause.

Another site I checked out was the Australian First Party, which at first glance definitely does not appear to be an extremist site. However, some of the policies they support include reducing Immigration and abolishing multiculturalism. Graeme Campbell, their founder, claims that "Australia must remain predominantly white.” Clearly, the Australian First Party’s views can be labeled as extreme. They are much more subtle in their approach than groups such as Aryan Nations, however still convey clear messages of intolerance and racism.

Many people may argue that everyone should have the right to share their opinions, regardless of whether or not they are supported by the wider population. I agree with this to a certain extent, however I feel like the line should be drawn somewhere. I am all for freedom of speech, but many extremist groups are simply taking it too far.

references

Poisoning the Web: Hatred Online. (1999). Vol. 61 Issue 5 http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=7&sid=81a1f4e3-f621-4727-a1eb-e60e91636e1c%40sessionmgr7

Gerstenfeld, Phyllis B.; Grant, Diana R.; Chau-Pu Chiang (2003) Hate Online: A Content Analysis of Extremist Internet Sites. Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy. Vol. 3 Issue 1, p29-44

http://ausfirst.alphalink.com.au/

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/history.jsp