Skinhead Violence
When you here the term Skinhead you probably think about young rebels wearing big
black
boots and Nazi symbols. These happen to be a few trademarks but across the world
"Skinhead"
refers to a diverse cult of young people. The origin of this cult goes back to the 60's
in
England, where menacing-looking, shaven-headed and tattooed youths in combat boots began
to
be seen in the streets. This cult has matured into a large collection of smaller gangs
across
33 countries. The ages of members range from 13 to 25 in which half the members are
hard-core
activists and the rest supporters. This cult is tied into political and other violent
and
nonviolent groups, suck as the White Aryan Resistance, KKK, populist Party, British
National
Party, and several others. They get support from so called punks and football (soccer)
hooligans known as "hools" to create riots and violence. From the creation of this cult
until
today it has supported violence, starting with beatings with boots and small weapons,
evolving
today into a terrorist like cult armed with deadly military weapons.
Just like gangs in the U.S. skinheads also fight among each other. These fights are
actually where most deaths by skinheads occur. And just like gangs skinheads have
several
different beliefs and methods of expression. These types of skinheads range from racist
and
violent to groups which are political but against racism and violence. The members come
from
a diverse range of lifestyles among broken homes, poor families, and alienated
youngsters.
They like the brotherhood of the gangs which they are missing from home. Being a
skinhead is
not a hobby for the weekends but a lifestyle which ids full of violence and hatred,
wreaking
havoc on their towns to express their beliefs.
The Oklahoma City bombing brought home to American people that no country is immune
from terrorism. Although thought to be tied into larger extremist groups, the actual
bombing
was the work of only a few people. Although they are not responsible for this bombing,
the
neo-nazi skinheads impose these type threats to their community. Nowhere do the neo-nazi
skinheads by themselves constitute a mass-movement. The danger posed by these young
racist
thugs lies in their taste for violence. Skinheads across the globe have committed
numerous
murders, firebombing and other crimes of violence against innocent victims whom they
deemed
to be of the wrong race, religion, nationality, or sexual preference. Their goal whether
in
Los Angeles or Berlin is a racially pure society like that of the Third Reich.
Contrary to their claim to represent the working class youth, skinheads come from
widely
varying economic backgrounds. Their roots often lie in domestic instability; a high
portion
of skinheads come from broken homes, or single parent families. Their gangs often serve
as
surrogate families for their members. Often youngsters join these groups because it is a
place
where they can be in an environment which supports their views and beliefs. Skinheads
frequently live in communal homes and apartments. Those who live with their families
often
do so under tense conditions. In February of this year two brothers were accused of
killing
their mother, father, and younger brother. After the murders they fled to Michigan where
they
stayed with other skinheads. When captured they had nazi symbols and slogans tattooed
all over
their bodies. This illustrates the domestic discord which can arise from a family trying
to
turn their sons away from their hateful way of life.
The nazi ideology and violent behavior of skinheads has caused fear and anguish in
every
community they have infested. There are ways to counter these gangs before or after they
have
infested a community. Germany along with other countries have found that if immediate
action
is not taken against these small groups then the effect is a dangerous escalation off
skinhead
gangs and violence. They found the best way to counter was through tough-minded law
enforcement
. The U.S. and other countries have made the decision to form a task force which had
succeeded
in convicting numerous skinheads. This type of tough law enforcement has also resulted
in a
decline of skinhead violence. The bottom line is that where ever skinheads operate,
their
desire for hate and violence makes them a devious and dangerous force in the community.
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