News

May 17, 2008

Skinheads eye diversity summit

Keystone State Skinhead official says he’s willing to speak at NAACP forum.

The director of the local chapter of the Keystone State Skinheads says he’s willing to speak at a diversity summit proposed by the Wilkes-Barre Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Ron Felton, president of the local NAACP, said he wouldn’t make the decision regarding the Skinheads’ participation, and is leaving it up to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Felton has set a tentative date of June 29 for the meeting which he said was motivated by several events: the recent vandalism at Congregation Ohav Zedek synagogue and the placement of banners and fliers throughout the Wyoming Valley. The banners, which carry messages such as “Preserve Our Heritage,” list the Skinheads Web site.

“If (Ron Felton) would allow us to, that would be great,” said Steve Smith, director of the local chapter of the Keystone State Skinheads. “You have to keep things balanced, and this is a great way to do that.”

Two teen girls – one a self-proclaimed Nazi – were recently arrested and charged with spray-painting anti-Semitic words and symbols on the Wilkes-Barre synagogue and another building. One of the suspects, Nora Rynkiewicz, 18, waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Friday. The other is a 17-year-old juvenile.

“We see these things, and we don’t know what to do,” Felton said. “What is the most effective way to respond and how do we help the young people who are being targeted?”

Smith said the Skinheads are trying to shake the stigma that its members are like the skinheads in movies such as “American History X.”

“This past year might be the best for the KSS, in regards to activism and response from supporters,” Smith said. “More people are joining up.”

Smith says there’s always negativity associated with being a part of the group. When members are called “racists” or “bigots,” he said it’s a source of name calling for individuals who can’t argue for their points, Smith said.

“If I’m wrong about something, just tell me. Don’t call me names. That’s childish.”

Details are still being worked out, but Felton hopes to invite representatives of the state Human Relations Commission, the Luzerne County Diversity Task Force and the Anti-Defamation League. Felton would like to hold the event at a local college.

“We need someone to educate us so we can have an effective response to these types of things,” Felton said. “Young people are targeted by groups. They need to know what kind of steps can be taken to prevent that from happening. That’s the goal of the conference.”

FBI statistics show 7,722 hate crimes were committed in Pennsylvania in 2006; 98 were committed in Luzerne County.

But the way Smith sees it, the fliers, banners, rallies and protests the Skinheads take part in are about preserving heritage and the local culture. He says multiculturalism is not a good thing for America.

“It causes friction. If you’re white, you can say certain things. But, you can’t say other things or you’re labeled a racist…,” Smith said. “There’s so much hypocrisy. I just want to dispel the myths.”

Smith intends on dispelling what he calls “myths” of his group being racist and bigoted, by continuing to post banners and fliers. A recent posting said: “Take back our streets,” and listed the Skinheads Web site.

“We’re not the stereotypical people in movies,” Smith said. “I’m a family man myself, and I’m tired of the hypocrisy that’s in our society.”

Felton said two previous anti-hate rallies held locally were successful. A 2001 event featured a former member of the Aryan nation who said his job within the organization was to target young members. A 1998 rally was organized after a GAR Memorial High School student reportedly wore a Ku Klux Klan costume to school and after two Wilkes-Barre firefighters were suspended for distributing fliers that contained a racist slur.

Felton hopes another summit will be beneficial to the community.

“I think (the message of anti-hate) is needed once again,” Felton said. “We need to keep the area alert and aware.”

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