Extremist Groups: Opposing Viewpoints

Presents arguments from both sides of such topics as religious fundamentalism, radical animal rights activists, socialists, environmentalists. white supremacist groups, and the militia movement.

Gr. 6-12. This Opposing Viewpoints selection uses essays that swing wildly toward extremes to cover the topic. The first section tackles religious fundamentalism; the second looks at "liberal" groups, such as radical animal rights activists, socialists, and environmentalists. The writing becomes even more heated in the following sections that cover white supremacist groups and the militia movement. The shocking arguments and sometimes-blatant absurdity make nearly all the essays compelling reading, with students needing only a glimpse at an article's title (for example, "Racial Hatred Is Necessary to Save the White Race") to determine the tone and subjectivity of the author. Most essays are short, get right to the core of their arguments, and blast readers with examples that fit the emotional topic. Roger Leslie
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