I bought this book because I wanted to have some understanding of what lures young people into joining hate movement. I appreciate the writer’s candid narration of his personal experience, the self-reflection later that led to his own spiritual (not in religious sense) and psychological self-awakening. While sometimes it was difficult to continue reading the book because of the brutality and violence, I come away with some understanding of the extremist position. I thank Picciolini for writing this book.
As a matter of opinion, teenage is a tough period to go through when parents are not available emotionally and physically for whatever reason it may be. The fierce competition, peer pressure in school, the bullying that is so prevalent, and the stress experienced at home adds inner psychic pain and confusion to a young person’s not-yet defined sense of identity. The need to belong and the sense of emptiness is so keen that some turn outside to join others, and lean on them to be one’s role model and inner guide. It’s understandable that some who were bullied in their early years would acquire a sense of needing to be the strongest, the most powerful to protect oneself and to get the situation under control. Some end up getting lured into joining the extremist group. Because teenagers do not yet have the benefit of time and experience, the world out there is often seen in black or white, good or bad, us versus them. From reading this book, I come away with a sense that in hate movement everything must be perfectly the way I want it; if not, it is intolerable. When things don’t come out the way I want it, it is because the others brought it on. Scapegoating, rationalizing, intellectualizing, excuses, alibis, externalizing protect me from seeing the imperfect side of my worldview. Life becomes a constant battle because I have to constantly defend myself, be on guard to protect “the white race from extinction.” Those who allow themselves to glimpse into the self-reflective mirror, eventually come to see that the world out there is not in simple black and white. Those who don’t allow themselves to glimpse into the self-reflective mirror, move on and choose to believe there’s only one way to life, our way, the white power supremacy. In time, I can see how this kind of belief system hardens, becomes ingrained, deep-rooted, permanent; it becomes a fixed world view. Humans are not perfect; neither is this world perfect. Those who vow to preserve the white race do, at some point, find follies and imperfections within their own group members, do find cracks in their white power ideology, do have moments of conscious, deliberate discernment of their personal choices in life. In the end, It boils down to personal choice on whether to remain as member of hate-filled group and continue a life of intimidation, brutality, violence, continue upholding the hate group ideology, be under the radar of law officers, possible jail terms; or, to make a personal inventory and step out after having experimented or partaken in full-blown hate-filled life style, and allow oneself to experience a world through another lens. Only the individual can make this honest choice with his inner self. As if it is the destiny of humans to look outside first for inner guide; to look outside first to define one’s sense of self and identity; and, to find out later, having experienced the first choice, that the teacher, the guide is found within all along.
A good book to read.
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About the author
just like I enjoyed Malcolm X's Autobiography
I am enjoying this book, just like I enjoyed Malcolm X's Autobiography. I can relate to pain, especially emotional pain, in which this man had a lot of.
Top reviews from other countries
- LeoReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2018
Gripping, terrifying and essential reading.
- Trev HaglReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2020
great read of redemption
