General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This filmmaker spent months interviewing neo-Nazis and jihadists. Here's what she learned. [View all]Caliman73
(11,736 posts)People join gangs because they are scared, isolated, desperate for attention, and many other reasons. They want to feel strong.
The KKK is a gang. It is a gang based on "White" identity and false belief in the superiority of "Whites" because of the way that society has been designed to benefit White people. KKK members were scared after the Civil War. They were scared of losing the societal status of superiority after having been treasonous and defeated, they were afraid that what had been done to Black Americans would be done to them now that they lost. Fear was a huge part of the motivation they formed to "save our heritage".
The author isn't talking about the goals or purpose of the organization. She is talking about finding out what motivates people to join extremist movements. She dealt with both White Supremacists and with Jihadists.
You are right. There is a distinction about organizations and that distinction matters, but at a human level, when you are trying to figure out why people are making choices and how to reach them and diminish the grip of groups like the KKK then you have to accept that there are very flawed people making choices based on what they think are their options. You have to present them with different options.