Why so 'Extreme'?

If I use the word "extremist" what image comes to mind?

I am sure the answer depends on who you are and what you believe. If you're pro-choice, an extremist is probably someone who pickets abortion clinics and tries to confront staff and prevent women from entering the facilities. If you are pro-life, however, an extremist is probably someone who defends abortion rights against all comers -- for juveniles without parental permission, at all stages of pregnancy.

So the word "radical" or "extremist" is a loaded one, to be sure. The critical question, it seems to me, is the difference between taking on beliefs that others might not like, and then using those beliefs to justify anti-social or violent acts. The late Malcolm X and Richard Reid, the so-called shoe bomber, both converted to Islam in prison. Malcolm X converted to the Nation of Islam, which some consider a cult. But he became a social and political leader of great force, a man whose spiritual journey continues to inspire people today, despite his untimely death by assassination. Richard Reid, probably considered himself a traditional Muslim, yet he became a terrorist, a man who perverted a religion whose very name is rooted in the word for "peace" to justify his decision to try to kill innocent people aboard a jetliner.

This is why we were interested in Mark Hamm's research about radicalization in prison; it's part of our series this week taking a look at new research on criminal justice issues.

How exactly does it work?
Who is attracted to these messages?
Why do some join these groups as a means of transcendence and belonging and leave it at that, while others take it to the next step by living out the radical messages?

Mark Hamm raised some important points about how the prison experience works. But one doesn't have to be in prison to be attracted to groups like the Aryan Brotherhood. There are comparable groups around the world that preach separatism, racial or ethnic superiority and exclusivity. I have several times met and interviewed white supremacists -- one who had renounced the belief and one who had not. They throughline, it seemed to me, was fear. They were fearful men and they thought their associations with the Klan and Aryan Brotherhood brought them strength...

What do you think? Even more important, what do you know about such groups?
Tell us your conversion story, if you have one.

And...what did you think about the rest of today's show?

By the way, we're off to Vegas. Tomorrow, we'll be broadcasting from there. It's our first remote production. Cross your fingers...we're crossing ours! We look forward to bringing you great conversations from the West Coast.

Michel Martin

8:02 PM ET | 08- 8-2007 | permalink

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8:02 PM ET | 08- 8-2007 | permalink