Unlike last year's march, Nazi paraphernalia is strictly banned, and marchers are forbidden from drinking alcohol before the event, said Kyle McKee of the Aryan Guard.

"(We're) just learning from mistakes from the past," he said.

"Ideally, we'd like to see it eventually turn into a fairly mainstream thing. You just get your average joe out there saying, 'I'm proud to be white.' "

You know, I've often wondered how long it would take these groups to start adopting a strategy like this. It's scary, but this sort of approach is exactly what will lead to their numbers swelling at even faster rates than they are now--and they're already growing faster than they have in decades. But the moment they drop their overtly racist garb and start acting like some social fraternity, the people who might be inclined to join them anyway but have enough dignity to be repulsed by over-the-top displays may find themselves a little more willing to listen. And that's not good for anybody.

Are those Prussian Blue chicks legal yet?

Anyone have a Countdown Clock like they did for the Olsen Twins?

You know who else.... oh, wait... nevermind.

They have got to be proud of something, I guess, and we know being Canadian isn't one of those things.

I don't really see what's wrong with this idea (inherently). Obviously, theory and practice are two different things, since in reality it's just a new tactic for extremist ideologies.

But in 100 years, it probably won't seem as unusual as it does right now. I'm not saying whites will become a "protected class," per se, but in areas where they are the distinct minority, there could be traction--just like black/hispanic groups have right now.

I work at City Hall, so I'm really getting a kick...

I remember this happening last year. There was a pretty significant police presence and it was for the most part a bust because the anti-racists outnumbered the Nazi group by about 8:1.

This Aryan Guard in Calgary has boasted increased recruitment for the last 8 months, I guess we'll see how successful their approach is.

/I hate Illinois Alberta Nazis.

Pocket Ninja:
You know, I've often wondered how long it would take these groups to start adopting a strategy like this. It's scary, but this sort of approach is exactly what will lead to their numbers swelling at even faster rates than they are now--and they're already growing faster than they have in decades. But the moment they drop their overtly racist garb and start acting like some social fraternity, the people who might be inclined to join them anyway but have enough dignity to be repulsed by over-the-top displays may find themselves a little more willing to listen. And that's not good for anybody.

I kind of like the idea of them being well identified. Once they start the Fraternal Order of Crackers, they can all hang out in their lodge and leave the normal people to socialize without hesitation.

/About 3 or 4 years ago I was asked out by a random guy. Guy seemed normal enough, then he started railing on various purity issues, ethnicities and races. These people judge books by their cover too easily, because he thought I was white with a good tan. I am a healthy mix of Blackfoot and Eastern European. He was so freaked out that he was on a date with a mixed heathen. I swear to god he called me a gypsy-redskin. It was awesome.

And so it starts.
A little white lie.
A little pride.
A little divide and conquer.

Pocket Ninja:
You know, I've often wondered how long it would take these groups to start adopting a strategy like this. It's scary, but this sort of approach is exactly what will lead to their numbers swelling at even faster rates than they are now--and they're already growing faster than they have in decades. But the moment they drop their overtly racist garb and start acting like some social fraternity, the people who might be inclined to join them anyway but have enough dignity to be repulsed by over-the-top displays may find themselves a little more willing to listen. And that's not good for anybody.

I just watched a show on National Geographic channel about skinheads where they showed Tom Metzger's Lone Wolf, uh, theory? I dunno what to call it. Basically, shut up, get an education, become successful and wait for the revolution. In the meantime, still find like minded people and lead them in the same direction. farked up shiat.

Metzger's Lone Wolf crap here.

NatGeo show, American Skinheads.

HalfAsleep
I swear to god he called me a gypsy-redskin.

I've got a thing for gypsy-redskin girls.
/wink wink

Marching banned! Or not.

At least put them behind the horses.

Pocket Ninja: Unlike last year's march, Nazi paraphernalia is strictly banned, and marchers are forbidden from drinking alcohol before the event, said Kyle McKee of the Aryan Guard.

"(We're) just learning from mistakes from the past," he said.

"Ideally, we'd like to see it eventually turn into a fairly mainstream thing. You just get your average joe out there saying, 'I'm proud to be white.' "

You know, I've often wondered how long it would take these groups to start adopting a strategy like this. It's scary, but this sort of approach is exactly what will lead to their numbers swelling at even faster rates than they are now--and they're already growing faster than they have in decades. But the moment they drop their overtly racist garb and start acting like some social fraternity, the people who might be inclined to join them anyway but have enough dignity to be repulsed by over-the-top displays may find themselves a little more willing to listen. And that's not good for anybody.

it's scary because they are getting smarter.

Unlike last year's march, Nazi paraphernalia is strictly banned, and marchers are forbidden from drinking alcohol before the event, said Kyle McKee of the Aryan Guard.

"(We're) just learning from mistakes from the past," he said.

"Ideally, we'd like to see it eventually turn into a fairly mainstream thing. You just get your average joe out there saying, 'I'm proud to be white.' "

FTFA

Honestly, anything run by a group called the "Aryan Guard" is going to have an implied racist undertone, even if there's no actual racist remarks or symbols present.


I don't really think this is anything other than an attempt to feed their persecution complex.

Please don't be Calgary, please don't be Calgary, please don't be Calgary ...

checks article

Ah shiat.

HalfAsleep: /About 3 or 4 years ago I was asked out by a random guy. Guy seemed normal enough, then he started railing on various purity issues, ethnicities and races. These people judge books by their cover too easily, because he thought I was white with a good tan. I am a healthy mix of Blackfoot and Eastern European. He was so freaked out that he was on a date with a mixed heathen. I swear to god he called me a gypsy-redskin. It was awesome.

I had to click on your profile to see if you lived in Boston, because I went on a date with a guy like that. I'm French and Dutch, however, and he PURSUED me after I found out he was a goddamn Nazi because of my "pure" blood. He thought he could convert me to Catholicism (again, part French) and we could...propagate.

....I feel icky just thinking about it.

NikolaiFarkoff: but in areas where they are the distinct minority, there could be traction--just like black/hispanic groups have right now.

They kept calling 'em gangs when I lived in L.A.

Seriously, though, any group that promotes itself on skin color alone (while not allowing other races support/join their cause) sounds like a step in the wrong direction in this day and age. In the past, it was of paramount importance to have such groups, as the laws were not equally applied to all citizens. Nowadays, it's more about shining a light on racism than being ready to physically defend the life of someone like yourself (not saying it wouldn't happen, just saying it isn't as likely).

HalfAsleep: I swear to god he called me a gypsy-redskin.

How YOU doin'?

what_now:

I had to click on your profile to see if you lived in Boston, because I went on a date with a guy like that. I'm French and Dutch, however, and he PURSUED me after I found out he was a goddamn Nazi because of my "pure" blood. He thought he could convert me to Catholicism (again, part French) and we could...propagate.

....I feel icky just thinking about it.

Zomg. ewwww.

Okay, look, white power groups are retarded. I think we can all agree on that.

I also go so far as to say cultural pride events are retarded, regardless of your culture. I'm uncultured, so maybe I'm a bad judge.

But if you accept "Irish Pride" days (y'know, like earlier this week), "Black Pride" events, "Gay Pride" events, or whatever- how can you dislike this? Because some of the people involved are retards? I've got bad news for you, bucko. It seems like the organizers are pretty explicitly trying to distance themselves from the more racist elements of the group.

Brokenseas: Please don't be Calgary, please don't be Calgary, please don't be Calgary ...

checks article

Ah shiat.

Of course it's Calgary.

In Vancouver, we have parades like this:

t3knomanser: But if you accept "Irish Pride" days (y'know, like earlier this week), "Black Pride" events, "Gay Pride" events, or whatever- how can you dislike this? Because some of the people involved are retards? I've got bad news for you, bucko. It seems like the organizers are pretty explicitly trying to distance themselves from the more racist elements of the group.

I'll argue that they are celebrating heritage, except for Gay Pride. That doesn't even make sense in that sentence. If someone can tell me what "white" heritage entails, then maybe I'll go for it. White is a lack of melanin not culture.

HalfAsleep: If someone can tell me what "white" heritage entails, then maybe I'll go for it. White is a lack of melanin not culture.

White heritage generally implies descent from European cultures, especially Western European. Which, in America and Canada, is kinda the overwhelming influence on our culture.

HalfAsleep: I'll argue that they are celebrating heritage, except for Gay Pride. That doesn't even make sense in that sentence. If someone can tell me what "white" heritage entails, then maybe I'll go for it. White is a lack of melanin not culture.

exactly. A St. Patrick's Day parade is a "white pride" event, if you want to get technical. So is an Italian feast of St whoever.

There aren't "brown people" events, there are PR parades, Dominican fests, and Brazilian parties.

I'd be fine if this was an "English", "Scottish", "French" "German" etc etc pride march. It's the lumping together that bugs.

t3knomanser: HalfAsleep: If someone can tell me what "white" heritage entails, then maybe I'll go for it. White is a lack of melanin not culture.

White heritage generally implies descent from European cultures, especially Western European. Which, in America and Canada, is kinda the overwhelming influence on our culture.

Also, I'm really only devil's advocating. I do want to emphasize that I think this is retarded. I also thought the time I got stuck in the Puerto Rican pride day in Philly was retarded too. Your cultural heritage is an accident of birth, nothing more.

As someone with no cultural heritage, I collect New Years. Speaking of, Happy New Year everyone! Today is Nowruz in Persian culture, and we're also looking at Ostara in pre-Christian Europe sometime around nowish.

jekxrb: In Vancouver, we have parades like this:

That parade looks awesome!

/I LOVE balloons!
//Who are those dudes?

t3knomanser: It seems like the organizers are pretty explicitly trying to distance themselves from the more racist elements of the group.

Maybe. But I think it's a facade of propriety on their part, especially so that if something DOES happen, they can say, well, it wasn't OUR group... These people are pretty racist at their core.

But I'd never deny them the right to parade. Go for it. And I suggest that if you don't support them, stay away. They WANT attention, so don't give it to them. Let 'em walk down an empty street. Much better than huge brawls, especially in this situation where they're trying to set themselves up to look like victims in any clash.

/Gay pride in Vancouver is an awesome event. I'd take my kids to it and many people do. I'd never expose my children to this. Never. There's a difference between a group that exists to promote exclusion and one that exists to promote inclusion.

JoJoTheIdiotMonkeyBoy: They kept calling 'em gangs when I lived in L.A.


NAACP, SCLC, etc. These days, it's more harm than good in so many ways.

You're right, though: Skin color alone is silly. Nobody bats an eye at groups like "Polish-American Club" or anything like that, even if that is ALSO a bunch of white people celebrating their heritage. Weird.

what_now: I'd be fine if this was an "English", "Scottish", "French" "German" etc etc pride march. It's the lumping together that bugs.

And we don't do that with black cultures? While slavery was definitely an overriding influence on American black culture, we act like Africa is one giant monolith of culture- and it's way larger and more culturally diverse than Europe.

European cultures aren't really all that distinct. Oh, there are local traditions, historical rivalries, etc., but they're far more alike than distinct. Despite what their regional advocates claim.

jekxrb: I'd take my kids to it and many people do. I'd never expose my children to this. Never.

I wouldn't take my children to either, but I utterly loathe parades. The only parade I've gone to in a decade was the most recent Steelers superbowl celebration. And even then, I hung out at the start of the parade so it ended faster.

t3knomanser: But if you accept "Irish Pride" days (y'know, like earlier this week), "Black Pride" events, "Gay Pride" events, or whatever- how can you dislike this? Because some of the people involved are retards? I've got bad news for you, bucko. It seems like the organizers are pretty explicitly trying to distance themselves from the more racist elements of the group.

Black Pride events exist because, unless you're like Barack Obama and you know your heritage for certain, blacks in America have no identity beyond blackness. Most white people can say "I'm Scottish/Irish/German" and they can display their pride at a Highland Game, or St. Patrick's Day Parade, or Octoberfest. Most black folks in America don't have that luxury, since they're made up of a lot of people taken without permission from a lot of places in Africa 150-250 years ago. "Black" is the only geneological (sp?) identity they've got to work with.

what_now
I'd be fine if this was an "English", "Scottish", "French" "German" etc etc pride march. It's the lumping together that bugs.

Yep, I think most people agree that "white pride" reeks of racism, but if you'd like to celebrate your German, Scottish, French, Irish, etc. heritage, have at it.

"Black" gets lumped together for pride/cultural events, but it makes sense there because so many have the same shared heritage of being brought over as slaves and discriminated against.

Rev. Skarekroe: "I'm Scottish/Irish/German"

I'm arguing that those aren't meaningful distinctions. Europe is so cross pollinated that it's all basically the same thing. You've got a thin Protestant/Catholic line between areas in Europe, the obvious linguistic jump (but let's be honest- most Europeans are polyglots), but honestly? Not that different.

I mean, to an outsider. Irish culture and German culture are as different as Boston culture and Pittsburgh culture.

t3knomanser: And we don't do that with black cultures? While slavery was definitely an overriding influence on American black culture, we act like Africa is one giant monolith of culture- and it's way larger and more culturally diverse than Europe.

There ARE organizations and festivals for individual nations, groups and peoples from Africa. But a lot of people who descended from slaves don't know what their cultural background IS!

Think about that for a second: Not knowing what your ancestry is because no one asked your great great grandfather when the captured him. If you wanted to celebrate your heritage, you'd have to go with a generic "black". That sucks!

Rev. Skarekroe: unless you're like Barack Obama and you know your heritage for certain,

Well sure he knows. They keep good records for Kenyan citizens....

jekxrb: In Vancouver, we have parades like this:

Gay or not, the dude in the blue has some serious legs going on.

what_now: Not knowing what your ancestry

I have absolutely no idea what my ancestry is. Not for such a dramatic reason, but I haven't the foggiest. I find the idea of being interested in such things a little bizarre to be frank. My wife is second-generation Persian, so I can understand it better in her case.

In general though, the idea of cultural heritage strikes me as utterly alien.

JoJoTheIdiotMonkeyBoy: That parade looks awesome!

/I LOVE balloons!
//Who are those dudes?

LOL. Gay pride, baby. It's a very popular event. That was 2006, IIRC, when I went with my parents and little brother.





This was the Liberal party of Canada's float:

what_now: Rev. Skarekroe: unless you're like Barack Obama and you know your heritage for certain,

Well sure he knows. They keep good records for Kenyan citizens....

Ugh, next time I'm using Tom Morello as my example.

PC LOAD LETTER: Gay or not, the dude in the blue has some serious legs going on.

Yep. It was bittersweet. All those hot guys there and all of them gay...

t3knomanser: In general though, the idea of cultural heritage strikes me as utterly alien.

I don't understand why anyone would watch a college sporting event if they did not attend the college in question. People have different opinions of what's important to them.

If you knew my last name, you would know I'm Dutch. I have never been to a "Dutch" event. If you knew my mother's maiden name, you would know I am French. I have never been to a "French" event. But I understand why people would. Typically, it's because those cultures have better food than mine do.

jekxrb:



This was the Liberal party of Canada's float:

Could you imagine the heads exploding south of the border if the national Democrat Party sponsored a float like that in a San Francisco parade?

Rev. Skarekroe: Ugh, next time I'm using Tom Morello as my example.

Actually, when I wrote the same point you did, I thought of using Obama, but realized someone would point out ZOMBG!! sekrit Kenyan!!

On the other hand, like so many other Americans, I'm such a mutt that it's hard to know which specific European heritage to celebrate. The family name goes back to Scotland via Ireland and we've traced it to some guy in Glasgow circa 1650. But when our branch got to America in the 18th century, they married a bunch of Germans. So I've got more German blood than anything, but we think it's still less than half. Then there's a smattering of English, French, and I'm not sure what else.

patrick767: I'm such a mutt

Which is my main reason for arguing that "white heritage" is completely valid. European cultures have cross pollinated enough, and in North America, very few people can claim a heritage dominated by a single European ancestry. Hell, most people in the US have a black ancestor in their past someplace.

t3knomanser: Also, I'm really only devil's advocating. I do want to emphasize that I think this is retarded. I also thought the time I got stuck in the Puerto Rican pride day in Philly was retarded too. Your cultural heritage is an accident of birth, nothing more.

Yeah, I get it and on the surface, it does seem retarded. But I think there's two parts of it.

First, it's kind of like when kids ask on Mother's/Father's day, "When's kids' day?" and the reply is, "Every day is kids' day!"

Secondly, 'white pride' organizations tend to have very racist attitudes, more a 'white supremacy' thing than simply pride. The fact that an organization has to explicitly ban nazi paraphernalia from their parade tells me there's something wrong. The Nazis are NOT my first thought when it comes to my skin colour.

Maybe in a few decades that'll all change and it'll be cool. Honestly, I think taking pride in your skin colour is bizarre. Heritage, yes, but skin colour? Weird.

I get why black people do it when they JUST DON'T KNOW their heritage because of slavery.

Personally, I'm of Scottish/English heritage, and I particularly like participating in Scottish events. But I also like to join in all sorts of multicultural events and learning about other cultures, which is the route to go if you're a polyglot, I think... Why CAN'T I celebrate Irish culture on one day, Chinese on the next and Brazilian on the third? It's fun as f*ck.

jekxrb: But I also like to join in all sorts of multicultural events and learning about other cultures,

again, the food at these things is usually tremendous.

/almost lunch time
//I sound fat

jekxrb: Heritage

No, that's bizarre too.

jekxrb: Why CAN'T I celebrate Irish culture on one day, Chinese on the next and Brazilian on the third?

This is more my approach to matters, although I oppose multiculturalism as a term. I'm all for cultural appropriation and the development of your own personal culture. Multiculturalism implies that some people are members of a culture larger than their own personal system, and I actually think that's borderline immoral.

But I'm weird.

Brokenseas: This was the Liberal party of Canada's float:

Could you imagine the heads exploding south of the border if the national Democrat Party sponsored a float like that in a San Francisco parade?

Shiat, one of the MPS was dressed up as a whore from the wild west, to go along with her float.

I present to you all, the honourable MP for Vancouver East, Hedy Fry:

Pocket Ninja: You know, I've often wondered how long it would take these groups to start adopting a strategy like this. It's scary, but this sort of approach is exactly what will lead to their numbers swelling at even faster rates than they are now--and they're already growing faster than they have in decades. But the moment they drop their overtly racist garb and start acting like some social fraternity, the people who might be inclined to join them anyway but have enough dignity to be repulsed by over-the-top displays may find themselves a little more willing to listen. And that's not good for anybody.

If they stop being like the Black Panthers/Nation of Islam and start becoming like the NAACP, I don't see why that's not good for anybody?

While I don't agree with the theory of racial pride for any race (you should take pride in your accomplishments, not your genetics over which you had no control), it's not wise to be the only racial group without a strong lobbying group.

Now, if you believe that the NAACP and other similar groups are harmful to society, then I can see why you'd view this as being a bad thing.

But, personally, I'm always for groups shifting away from hatred and violence.