Another Successful American Renaissance Conference

Approximately 200 people from all over the country gathered in northern Virginia for the third American Renaissance conference. Though there was a threat of protest, all events proceeded smoothly and many participants described it as the best AR conference yet.

Held during the last weekend in August at the Dulles Airport Hilton, the conference began on Friday evening with welcoming remarks from the AR staff and a cocktail reception. The camaraderie established that evening set the tone for the entire weekend.

Syndicated columnist Samuel Francis opened the general session on Saturday morning by noting that the Founders and most of the great men of the past clearly intended the United States to be a white nation. Even well into the 20th century, Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge talked openly of the American identity in European — even Nordic — terms. Dr. Francis pointed out the irony in the liberal claim that those who today speak out against the concept of America as a universal nation are “un-American.” Even “conservatives” like George Will, Ben Wattenberg and John Miller have endorsed the view that we live in a “proposition nation,” founded not on race, but on abstract principles like liberty and equality. Dr. Francis closed his remarks by saying that Americans must choose between a traditional European understanding of America or a multicultural version because “you cannot have it both ways.”

Glayde Whitney, AR contributing editor and professor at Florida State University, followed with a presentation on the biological reality of race. Though it is now fashionable to talk about the “myth of race,” he listed some of the striking differences in racial abilities. He noted that blacks make up 80 percent of the players in the National Basketball Association and that most of the world’s top distance runners come from just one tribe in Kenya, the Kalenjin. The evidence for biological differences between the races is overwhelming and was once widely acknowledged. “The only thing that has changed,” said Prof. Whitney, “is the politics.”

He also argued that the behavior of blacks in America is like that of a conquering tribe. He described the massive transfers of wealth that go from whites to blacks every year through welfare and affirmative action, and observed that whole areas of our major cities are occupied by blacks and are essentially off limits to whites. He also explained that conquerors often rape the women of the conquered, and described the many rapes of white women by blacks as a typical expression of dominance.

Paul Gottfried, who teaches humanities at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, spoke on “The Decline of WASPdom in America.” He began by stating that America’s founding culture is thoroughly demonized by the non-WASP groups that now dominate the establishment. Prof. Gottfried went on to say that although its strengths can be seen in the development of republican government, the Industrial Revolution, and the growth of the middle-class, WASP culture has serious weaknesses. Contrary to assertions that it is closed and exclusive, Prof. Gottfried argues that WASPdom is too open . It has granted entreé to innumerable critics who promote WASP self-loathing. Prof. Gottfried believes that WASP individualism is ultimately self-destructive because WASPS do not unite in defense against such forces as feminism, xenophilia and multiculturalism. Prof. Gottfried also warned that self-loathing is spreading to other Europeans.

Jared Taylor reminded the audience what AR is fighting for. “We stand in defense of our people and way of life,” he said. “We owe this to our children, who must not become despised minorities in their own land.” He decried the prevalence of anti-white sentiment among whites: Susan Sontag calls whites “the cancer of history” and Congressman Robert Dornan accepts the disappearance of “blue eyes and fair hair” in America. Mr. Taylor argued that whites are encouraged to think of themselves in explicitly racial terms only in order to feel shame and to ask for forgiveness. For non-whites it is the opposite. They are proud of their racial identities and make no pretense of embracing “diversity.” Mr. Taylor ended on a high note, confident that whites will reclaim their racial identity.

Philippe Rushton spoke on “Ethnic Nationalism and Genetic Similarity Theory.” He pointed out that it is almost universal for people to seek others who are genetically similar to themselves not only when they marry but also when they choose friends, associates, and political leaders. Similarity in appearance is nature’s sign that a stranger is likely to be friend rather than foe, and it can indicate compatibility in goals and temperament as well. It is therefore entirely natural that genetically — and racially — similar people should feel strong loyalties for each other. Attempts to suppress group identification are likely to fail because they are contrary to instincts that are almost always beneficial.

The general session closed with brief announcements. Gordon Baum of the Council of Conservative Citizens described the successful activist work of his group. Alan Spitz, who has won the Republican nomination for the 5th congressional district in Illinois, spoke of his campaign against affirmative action, multiculturalism, and mass immigration. If he wins in November, he will be a strong voice in Congress for policies that are crucial for our country.

Later that evening, conferees gathered for a rousing piano sing-along. They sang Anglo-Saxon favorites like “Dixie,” “Rule Britannia” “Men of Harlech,” and “Maryland, My Maryland,” and saluted their continental cousins with vigorous renditions of “God Save the Czar,” “The Marseillaise” and “Watch on the Rhine.” It was an inspiring and festive prelude to the banquet.

The after-dinner speaker was Michael Walker who is a leading figure in the European New Right. He spoke on nationalist movements in Europe, comparing progress in Britain, France and Germany.

Mr. Walker argued that in France, the groundwork for the Front National’s later successes was laid in the late 1960s. As a reaction to student riots, conservatives met and resolved to work their way through the institutions to one day gain power. Members of this group, called GRECE, became academics, journalists and teachers, and are now important supporters of Jean-Marie Le Pen. They defend Mr. Le Pen against left wing smears and, as a result, outspoken nationalism is not as unpopular in France as in the United States. The charismatic leadership of Mr. Le Pen, along with sound financial management, have led the FN to the point where it could conceivably enter the government. Mr. Walker believes that the absence of prominent, conservative-nationalist intellectual movements in American and other European countries has hampered the progress of nationalist politics. In Germany, where repression is greatest, a successful nationalist party could well be found to violate the Constitution and be forcibly disbanded.

The conference resumed on Sunday with a speech by New York City school board member Frank Borzellieri. Mr. Borzellieri recounted his efforts to fight the anti-Western and anti-American propaganda of the public schools. He poked fun at the hypocrisy of white liberals on the board who vote for multiculturalism but live in white neighborhoods and send their children to white schools. He also decried the cowardice of teachers and administrators who say they agree with him but will not speak out. Mr. Borzellieri takes on his opponents with determination and a sense of humor, and has strong popular support. He is by far the top vote-getter in school board races, and is planning another run for a seat on the New York City Council.

Steven Barry, editor of The Resistor, spoke about the racial antics in the United States Army. He spoke from the perspective of a non-commissioned officer who has recently retired from the Special Forces after 22 years of service. He pointed out that the Department of Defense has been using the military for social engineering since soon after the Second World War. He said that riots and sabotage by black soldiers during the 1970s were hushed up; instead of throwing out the miscreants, the army instituted “dialogue,” which gave angry blacks a chance to scream at their officers.

Though the Special Forces are still mostly white, they have started lowering standards so as to get more blacks. Mr. Barry argues that the deterioration of standards in the military is far worse than any civilian can imagine, and that the new motto of the army should be “Tolerance Makes Us Free.”

Michael Levin, speaking at his third AR conference, considered the question of whether there is a superior race. As a philosopher, he took the view that people choose standards that suit their own prejudices, and that there is nothing inherent about the accomplishments of Western man that make him superior in any absolute sense. However, he argued that every other group implicitly recognizes the superiority of Europeans by imitating them. Western technology and social organization are the models for virtually all people, who recognize that Europeans have devised the most effective ways to achieve goals that all people strive for.

Sam Dickson closed the conference with a “secular benediction.” He said that Americans are a rebellious people and will eventually repudiate the present system. He spoke of the growing number of whites who speak out against dispossession, but emphasized that only we can save ourselves. He predicted that the white majority will not quietly fade away, and that with the right leaders we can look forward to victory.

Several reporters attended the conference, and a 17-inch story about it appeared in The Washington Times. It was a straightforward, informative account with the striking headline, “Whites Ponder Future of Their Race.” C-SPAN taped the speech by Samuel Francis and aired it four times over the next several days. With publicity of this kind the AR office was swamped with calls from people delighted to hear of the conference and eager for information.

The conference attracted some unfavorable notice. A group called Anti-Racist Action tried to put pressure on the hotel to cancel its contract for the weekend. They issued an amusing e-mail statement, saying that “This disgustingly racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-lesbian/gay gathering should be opposed by all who stand against racism and any other form of oppression.”

They concluded that “groups like American Renaissance must be opposed wherever and whenever they crawl out of their holes!” and called for a demonstration.

They got one. Five lost-looking demonstrators — all white — wandered around on the grass off the hotel property, so far away they could be neither seen nor heard. They had no signs and no bull-horns, and a police car kept them under close observation. The hotel is well outside of town so there were not even any pedestrians for the demonstrators to harangue. They soon gave up and went home.

Their dispiriting experience was the very opposite of that of the men and women inside the Hilton Grand Ballroom. They returned to their homes encouraged and inspired, reinvigorated for the struggle they know to be right.