Hello, Negro

There should be no surprise that the possibility of an African American president would encourage membership in groups like the KKK that are blatantly anti-African American (anti-African, Jew, Gay, Catholic, Asian…etc. You know, haters in general.) The media has done some “research” on the trend. Take a look…

Hate Groups’ Newest Target: White Supremacists Report an Increase in Visits to Their Web Sites – Washington Post

Racist groups gaining members because of Obama: Hate experts reporting resurgence of activity by white supremacists – Florida Courier

Racist groups may exaggerate their reach
Kansas City Star

Never trust a Klansman to give accurate membership numbers.

So recent reports that Web-based hate group activities are up dramatically because of Barack Obama’s presidential run may not be the whole story.

Unfortunately, the Internet has given hate groups a convenient outlet to spread their vile attitudes. And no doubt the idea of the first black president has riled some mostly anonymous racists.

Racists (sometimes one person with a computer) and organizations that monitor them say the possibility of Obama winning the White House has caused increased traffic at Web sites run by Neo-Nazis, skinheads and others of their ilk.

What’s unknown is just how much traffic increased, how many actual members are recruited, and how fervent their activity is.

News outlets can neither afford to dismiss reports of rising supremacist activity outright nor give such claims more credibility than they deserve. The anonymous nature of some Internet postings brings out the worst in some people, although many of them would never join a group like the KKK. The Star’s Web site sometimes must limit comments on articles because of cruel racial attacks.

And yet it is indisputable that Obama had strong white support in primaries and caucuses and he continues to attract many white supporters. A generation ago, this would have been far less likely.

White supremacists are a minority of the population who should be monitored. But fortunately, they are far outnumbered by reasonable citizens who will cast their vote for the presidential candidate they feel is best qualified, not against one race.