From 1957, when integration began and until passage of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, America suffered through a major positive change. But not all were acceptable of the change.

The KKK stepped up its rhetoric and membership grew.

But rhetoric wasn't enough. By 1980 members within the extremist groups were tired of waiting for change and demanded action. A recession had hit the country, farms were being seized in foreclosure, people were losing their jobs, and the Red Scare with Russia was mounting. Pressures were mounting.

Action began in 1983 with The Order and CSA (after the catalyst of the killing of Gordon Kahl), the top two domestic terrorist groups at that time. Action continued with the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City (after the catalyst of the siege on the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas). Isolated hate crimes have continued since then, but no major domestic terrorist acts occurred once America was attacked by foreign terrorist on September 11, 2001.

AMERICA HAS CHANGED.

After 9/11 and until November 2008, the concerns of foreign terrorism overshadowed domestic terrorism and membership in domestic hate groups declined, while the groups themselves remained splintered, with no major group or leader really in the limelight. Even though we have obviously had some problems with extremist individuals over the last few years, these incidents seemed isolated and soon forgotten as bigger news captured the American mindset. 

But things have now changed:
1. We now have an African-American President (whom I personally voted for --- the first time I voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter);
2. Hate group membership is on the rise again, with more sites on the internet;
3. The increase in technology makes it easier for hate groups to accomplish their goals than was possible in the 1980s or 1990s;
4. Individuals are perhaps more willing to accomplish more destructive acts now;
5. The economic situation and our increasing national debt, a national and global "liberal agenda," gay marriage, immigration, and other "hot topics" are aiding in the extremist mentality, making conditions ripe for another domestic terrorist act in this country; and
6. "Conservative" talk-show pundits have gained popularity, helping to polarize our nation.  

The FBI and Homeland Security are doing an excellent job in detecting many terrorist plans and stopping them before they get out of hand. Good organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and others continue to monitor groups, while also educating the public about diversity and tolerance. Other former racists continue to courageously give testimony about their pasts, warning others not to take the same path we were all once on.

Changes since electing our first black President have heightened the fears of those in the extremist movement. So far it is mostly talk and rhetoric. But just like in the 1980s, at some point members will get tired of waiting and will act. And just like the 1980s, we are in another recession, homes are now being foreclosed on, people are losing their jobs, and although the Red Scare is gone, we now have the threat of Islamic extremist terrorism. People are feeling the pressure again.

With similar conditions, we are primed for another domestic terrorist act. Only this time it will be worse than Oklahoma City, for that act of terrorism did not bring about the type of change that the extremists desire.

In one generation, from the 1960s to the 1980s, action was taken. It has now been another generation since the days of the 1980s through OKC. All that is again needed is another catalyst and someone will react.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

One of the major things law-enforcement and the military can do is to get rid of those in your ranks who have anything to do with hate groups, by noticing what they read, tattoos they have, and the rhetoric they speak. Groups look for individuals with enough training to be useful, but not enough tenure to not be able to be turned.

Be aware and proactive. Law-enforcement agencies should reach out to individuals and groups, befriending them, trying to take out some of the fear they have.

And listen to those who monitor these groups and who have had experience in them.

The United States (and the world) is at a major turning point. Our President must be kept safe and must be allowed and encouraged to succeed as President. Restoring our relationships with other countries is vital and reaching out to "enemy" nations is crucial for world peace. Finding solutions to our own national problems is paramount. Going from the old 20th Century mentality of might-without-reason must yield to the 21st Century foresight of a better vision. Greed and fear must give way to charity and hope. An Old Testament prophet once said, "Come, let us reason together." That should be the slogan for a new era.