Lit Review-Recovering Skinhead

"Frank Meeink once fit the American neo-Nazi archetype perfectly: he had the convictions, the clothes, the swastika tattoo, and the knack for perpetrating violence that have made this underground culture infamous. Surprisingly, today he's an anti-racism advocate, touring speaker, and author of the insightful Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead.

The phrasing of this title may lead some readers to instantly connect Meeink's story with accounts of substance abuse and addiction, and they would be right to do so; the influence of drugs and alcohol on this narrative is paramount. With the guidance of his co-author, Dr. Jody M. Roy (an academic whose research on hate-motivated violence led her to his door), Meeink explores step four of his recovery: he takes an inventory of everything from his childhood experiences through the final resolution of his journey to become an active parent of his own children.

The book is ruthlessly honest, in part because of Meeink's personal stake in finding the truth; there is something brutal and encouraging about the depth and detail to which he is willing to expose his life to readers' examination. He never sounds preachy or self-pitying, but instead casts aside his ego to explore the damage he caused, with the hope of helping others prevent similar catastrophes.

Backed by vigorous academic research into the facts of the story, including the use of official records and interviews with past associates, Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead is an important resource. The episodes of violence described herein, whether perpetrated by or on Meeink (and his story is rife with examples of both), are vivid and alarming. Readers gain insight into the thoughts and emotions experienced by a violent offender during the commission of his crimes in a raw, unromantic form. There is nothing to admire in these acts, and Meeink knows it; he describes his teen years like a doctor that needs to examine each cell in a cancer before destroying it.

Readers will likely develop admiration for Meeink, however, because of the reconciliation he has found through anti-hate advocacy; and more specifically, because of his ability to consciously choose and live a life based on love instead.

Anyone wishing to better understand their own role in the struggle for peaceful cohabitation between individuals and groups will benefit from reading this book. Through it, Meeink lays bare the ways he was made vulnerable to the teachings of racial division and white supremacy, the ways he recruited others to his young army, and the conditions under which he began to disown it all."

• With this book, it kind of gives an image of my topic but the only reason why I said it doesn't totally fit my image of white nationalist and white gang members who are affiliated with white nationalist is the fact that Frank felt like he didnt belong and that he joined because he didn't want to be belittled anymore by anyone. My visions on white nationalist and white gang members is the fact that white folks who are part of these movements are well educated and have been part of the group for a long time.
• The book though did give me an idea. It gave me an idea that his perspective challenges what i have reearched and have looked into when it comes to white gangs. I believe that what happened to Frank is one in a million who makes it out of the movement and also who makes it out of prison. 
• In result of this,the bookd depicts my view of what it is like for white nationlist who join a movement and reacts to what happens in prison, but its not until frank changes his mind about what his belief is.