articles

"Free Spaces, Collective Identity, and the Persistence of U.S White Activism"

By, Robert Futrell and Pete Simi

                This article discusses the White Power Movement, by drawing from interviews and observations with/of the people involved in the movement. This article looks at the group mainly in the 1990's. The article talks about the movements "free spaces". There are two types of free spaces in this movement; "Indigenous-prefigurative" and "Transmovement-prefigurative spaces". The first deals with small fractions, local and political structures. This one also deals with the Aryan portion of the group. The second spaces allows others to be drawn into the web structure of the group. This includes Aryan communities, music festivals, networks (including cyber), and so on. These free spaces create a bi-level structure to the group which contribute to the persistence and allow network ties and a collective identity. The article discusses groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and their military roots. The article discusses the White Power ideology including bible studies the group puts on.  

 

"Collective Identity of the Straight Edge Movement: How Diffuse Movements Foster Commitment, Encourage Individualized Participation, and Promote Cultural Change"

By, Ross Haenfler

                This article discusses the Straightedge movement. The article looks into the late 1980's through the 1990's. The article talks about how this movement is a diffuse movement and does not have an actual structure to it. The article uses this movement to look at the less structured movements. Collective Identity is the main force behind what structure there is of the Straightedge movement. The movement itself promotes strong individual action and a strong identity. The "structure" the movement provides is really tribute to the movement itself. The last bit of the article discusses how overlooked the actual issue of this movement and ones like it is/was. The actual issue behind these movements is cultural protest.    

Thank you for reading.

Summary of Articles by, 

Claire Miles