Throughline The Modern White Power Movement (2020)
Jun 2, 2022
Kathleen Ballou, an assistant professor of history at the University of Chicago and author of "Bring the War Home," dives into the chilling rise of the modern white power movement. She discusses how post-Vietnam War disillusionment transformed individuals into radical extremists. The podcast covers the evolution of domestic terrorism, the deep-seated ties between racism and anti-communism, and critical incidents like the Greensboro Rally. Ballou also highlights the amplification of these threats in today’s society, especially through social media.
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Louis Beam's Paramilitary Camp
- Louis Beam, a Vietnam veteran, became a KKK leader in Texas.
- He used veteran funds to establish a paramilitary training camp.
Harassment of Vietnamese Refugees
- Beam trained KKK members and harassed Vietnamese refugees.
- A court order stopped the harassment and disbanded his camps.
Greensboro Massacre and the Legal System
- The Greensboro Massacre showed the legal system's inadequacy in handling white power activism.
- It was the first instance of Klan and neo-Nazi groups uniting as the United Racist Front.
