BIGOTRY IS PART of ordinary, everyday life across the United States but its reach goes even further than that. For some people, bigoted thinking is a central principle of their lives. These people may form or join organizations whose very purpose is to promote bigotry. They may encourage, or commit, acts of violence inspired by their bigoted ideas. Although such extreme bigotry is not common, its threat of violence casts a shadow over society. And apart from the threat of violence, the messages spread by people who subscribe to extremely prejudiced ideas alter the climate of American society.

A group that calls itself the National Alliance begins its goals grandly:

In spiritually healthier times, our ancestors took as theirs those parts of the world suited by climate and terrain to our race...