Literary Offenses of a Neo-Nazi

Introduction 

The Turner Diaries inspired some of the deadliest domestic terrorism attacks on the USiaries. The self-published racialist novel by neo-Nazi Luther Pierce is re-known for encouraging violence like the bombing in Oklahoma City of the Murrah Federal Building since 1978 when it was published. Notably, this fictional narration describes a racist’s vision of the world in which African Americans attempt to seize all guns in the US which causes the uprising of The Order. The novel has promoted hate crimes, murders, terror attacks, militia movements and more violent actions due to the supremacy ideology, racism, and violence narrated in the texts (DeHart et al. 2008). In an attempt to understand the purpose of Turner Diaries, there is a need to analyze its emphasis on hate, narrative and propaganda aspects, which transformed white nationalism and stimulated years of violence. 

Hatred

From the actions of John William King of killing James Byrd an African American, we see hatred portrayed as a result of reading the turner diaries. The reaction of nationals following this incident in court also depicts how much hatred was there between the blacks and the whites in America (Turner et al. 2012). Most of the witnesses and the public wanted a quick and severe punishment for these white murderers. Notably, the book was the source of inspiration for most of the hatred attacks and crimes committed till now in the US. For instance, in a confession, one of the murderers before killing James said they are starting the Turner diary early. Meaning, the novel was an example to follow while executing such violent crimes on the African Americans.

Narrative Effects

Although the novel is a work of fiction, the reviewers think it was a curiosity related to the neo militia movement and its head. The writer's intention is not clear thus his narrative skills are doubted as they have caused severe damage to the society. Mainly, the writings have been taken on by anti-government extremist and militia groups. Such failures in narration were intended to promote the neo-Nazi ideology since he wanted to depict an end to the oppression of the whites by African Americans (Turner et al. 2012). The result became opposite to the intention as his narrations led to more oppression from the whites to the blacks. Therefore, Turner's voice was a failed narration since the intended message was perceived the wrong way and has caused long lasting damages in the society.

Why Popularity?

Questions of why such a bad book has become so popular are often asked, but the answer is in the origin of the novel. The author being the head of the neo-Nazi organization, the National Alliance, led to the formation of more evil groupings like the B’nai B’rith which is the most dangerous hate gang in the America today. Also, William Pierce, a Ph.D. holder created a publishing arm of this group, the national vanguard books, to teach and inspire youths hoping to inspire and strengthen the future (DeHart et al. 2008). By 1991, Pierce inaugurated a radio show now broadcasting all over, purchased the resistance records which produce white power music and much more. All these efforts to ensure publicity of the group and to attract the younger people to join the white supremacist movement; thus its popularity.

Inspiring Violent Crimes

One of the deadliest products of the turner diaries considered a necessity by the white supremacists is the violent and notorious group called the Order. The neo-nazi gang called the order used the novel as a blueprint of their terrorist attacks by applying the tactics narrated therein. In the Oklahoma City bombing, 168 people died using a truck bomb similar to the one described in this novel. As a result, more violent attacks were inspired by these tactics which have caused more plots of terrorist attacks all over the United States also in Europe (Turner et al. 2012). For instance, this group financed extremist acts through doing a counterfeit operation, bank robberies and robbing of armored bank trucks on the highways, killing all who seem not to believe in their ideology. Meaning, most of such violent crimes committed are widely inspired by the book.

Connection with Violence

Although the author tries to distance from gangs like the Order, actions that involve the national Alliance, which he heads, show how involved he is. Evidently, the National Alliance website demonstrates how Pierce is behind most of the cruel activities of the Order especially the robberies. Quotations like the fate of white people are on the shoulders of those in the racialist organization are used on the website to attract more members to join the movement. Pierce cannot distance from the turmoil because all the criminals tried to end up being connected to reading this novel (DeHart et al. 2008). For example, during the trial of McVeigh, the book was mentioned time and again in his trial to show that it was the source of inspiration. Ultimately, the novel gave ideas to the bombing of Oklahoma City; this shows how much connection the author has to the order and violent groups.

The Adverse Effect

Turner’s all-purpose super hero nature has posed a big challenge to the government and the world. The organizations plan hundreds of assaults on civilians and the military but are not caught even by the surveillance network. Finally, the group propagates global destruction through biological, nuclear and chemical warfare, which actions impact the world’s environment. In the diaries, records of his top secret accomplishments, including names, dates, locations, and techniques applied were kept (Turner et al. 2012). With all such information that is dangerous to the movement, Turner is not arrested in action. Meaning the novel depicts several times in which he comes out as a superhero. Consequently, these tactics inspire a lot and are applied by the extremists in doing evil acts but are not caught by authorities.

Disguise 

Besides inspiring violence, the author includes a love story between him and Katherine that lacks passion and intrigue. In the story, the two seem not to connect apart from talking about the organization. They separate for three months and reunite, Turner calls it an interruption of organizational work, but now bomb blasts can run as usual. Pierce explains that their relationship must have obligations. All this shows what the idea of the writer was in the disguise of a love story (DeHart et al. 2008). In fact, this has been just a footnote to the actual work of the book as shown in the earlier diaries where he says his private life matters no more. Therefore, the novel disguised the cause of the organization as a relationship that breaks and mends for a given obligation.

Conclusion 

The Turner diaries were written by Pierce to inspire the young and old white people in the US into white nationalism and supremacy. The fact that racism was emphasized shows that the intention of the writer was to encourage the whites to discriminate and distance from the African Americans who were growing in size and looked like they are taking over. Also, the narration in the diaries was too crude that they explain well the methods of doing successful atrocities like terrorist bombings, which have been applied by such groups like the Order till date. The propaganda of maintaining white supremacy is explained but has resulted in adverse impacts that affect America and the world as a whole. Therefore, understand why the writer of the diaries used such tactics in writing and inciting violence requires a deeper analysis.

References

DeHart, G., Thomas, D. P., Arts, and Entertainment Network., History Channel (Television network), & Termite Art Productions. (2008).  Nazi America: A secret history . New York, N.Y: A & E Television Networks.

Turner, H. M. N., & Johnson, A. E. (2012).  An African American pastor before and during the American Civil War: The literary archive of Henry McNeal Turner . Lewiston, N.Y: Edwin Mellen Press.