ithout a white, Protestant heritage could face the prejudice and hatred of bigots in America.
             The Civil War brought progressive changes. Blatant racism was no longer accepted and the integration of all races continued. Although there would not be true equality for blacks and other races until the 1960's, there were more freedoms. White bigots could no longer legally kill and abuse minorities in America. This angered racists throughout America and deepened their hatred towards minorities. To fulfill their prejudice, racists began forming secret societies. These began as fraternities which were as much a club as a racist organization. But as America became fully integrated, racists began to focus on the persecution and harassment of minorities.
             Currently in America, the forms of racist organizations are as diverse as the minorities they hate. These racist right groups are of three general types: Neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and racist skinhead. Neo-Nazi groups promote the ideals of Adolph Hitler through militant, violent actions. White supremacists believe the white race is superior to all others; this belief is often attached with the Protestant extremism. Skinheads are one of the most violent and disorganized groups, persecuting minorities with anarchist agendas. All hate groups have beliefs or practices that attack or denigrate an entire class of people, typically for their beliefs or immutable characteristics.
             Skinheads and Neo-Nazis are similar and often allied groups. Both claim to be "soldiers of the Fourth Reich" (Rahowa), the Third being Adolph Hitler's rule. Both are extreme right wing groups with little structure. These groups preach tenets of violence and could not legally and publicly exist for very long. However skinheads consider themselves white berets, not Nazis. Although they use many Nazi slogans, designs, and ideals, skinheads support democracy. The groups may be similar in violent tendencies, but Nazis and sk...