'White rights' insult true civil rights movements

On Fri., Jan. 21, at the National Press Club, David Duke announced the formation of a new white civil rights group, the National Organization for European-American Rights (NO FEAR). Citing the U.S. Census Bureau's prediction that by the year 2050 the non-Hispanic white population will decrease from 72 to 53 percent of the total population, Duke explained the immediate need for a "white civil rights" group to preserve the "heritage, freedom, and way of life in the United States."

Though his mission is to end what he determines "the most extensive racial discrimination in United States' history" (that, presumably, against the European-American), David Duke's creation of NO FEAR is nothing more than an established racist's transparent attempt to rename white supremacy. He acknowledges that there was once prejudice toward blacks, but assures us that it was limited in its scope and cannot be justly likened to what he calls the current de facto discrimination against European-Americans. NO FEAR deems itself a necessary force in preventing the obliteration of the white race (Duke actually employs the term "genocide") and the transformation of the United States into a "Third-World Country" as the current demographic shift would indicate.

Among his other fatuous propositions, Duke demands the end to all United States immigration and "forced busing," which he sees as contributing to the "destruction of American heritage and culture." Although NO FEAR explicitly denies any belief in equality of the races, it mandates "equal rights for whites" and demands the cessation of the media's bigoted portrayal of European-Americans in the newspapers, movies, and on television. Duke paralleled NO FEAR's importance with that of such reputable organizations as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, La Raza Unita, and the Anti-Defamation League, all of which protect the rights of legitimately oppressed minorities. In keeping with his blatant disregard for African Americans and their civil rights, Duke announced the formation of NO FEAR just four days after the observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Historically, as with the case of African-Americans and women, civil rights movements arose out of the palpable need for an oppressed faction to gain empowerment. In the case of NO FEAR, no such need exists. In the United States, the white population is prospering, often at the expense of the very same minorities David Duke perceives as threats. In 1999, the average "European"-American family had a net worth eight times that of an African-American family and 12 times that of a Hispanic family. Similarly, the white population holds the vast majority of the nation's wealth and possesses more social, political, and economic power than the combined strength of all racial minorities.

David Duke now considers himself a new man. He no longer dons the traditional purple robe and hood of a KKK Grand Wizard, but as leader of NO FEAR wears an unassuming double-breasted suit. The former bigot has redefined himself as a "civil rights leader." He sees his position as similar to that of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Susan B. Anthony, but with a significantly more important cause.

Yet, the would-be reformer is not himself reformed. David Duke is still a sham and his organization NO FEAR a guise. The group has no valid purpose and is an insidious interpretation of white supremacy. With no actual fact-based need for "white civil rights," NO FEAR is an insult to minority populations and rights groups alike.

Whether he wears a suit or a robe, David Duke will always be a narrow-minded racist. In deceptively recasting his intentions under the preposterous guise of a white civil rights group NO FEAR, David Duke has fooled no one but his radically delusional, bigoted self.

Jessica Reik is a freshman in Davenport.

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