"White Right - Meeting the Enemy"

“White Right – Meeting the Enemy”
Film and Special Guest Speaker Arno Michaelis, Saturday May 4, 7pm. FREE

The Social Action Committee of Congregation Shomrei Torah is excited to present an unforgettable evening focused on the rise of white supremacist hate in the United States and how we can address the problem, on Saturday May 4 at 7pm.

In an Emmy-winning documentary, acclaimed Muslim filmmaker Deeyah Khan meets U.S. neo-Nazis and white nationalists including Richard Spencer, face to face and attends the now-infamous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville as she seeks to understand the personal and political motivations behind the resurgence of far-right extremism in the U.S. The film shows Khan meeting with white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups who believe they are at the forefront of a coming race war in America. She focuses on the people behind these movements, their motivations, beliefs and justifications.

What drives such deep-rooted hatred? How can outsiders try to understand such extremist views? What can be done to challenge such positions and foster a more inclusive society? At a time when debates on immigration and enhanced border walls are ever-present in US political discourse, this film offers an important look into race relations and far-right ideology.

Following the screening, Arno Michaelis, a former racist skinhead who appears in the film, will talk about his struggle with his past and his journey to become an advocate for social justice. Michaelis became a white supremacist when he was 17 and helped found the Northern Hammerskins, one of the largest skinhead organizations in the world. He was a “reverend” of the self-declared “Racial Holy War,” a cause popularized by American politician and religious leader Ben Klassen, who said white people should unite and start a holy war against Jews and other minorities. Michaelis was also the lead singer of the hate-metal band Centurion. He eventually left the movement after eight years.

Arno Michaelis is the co-author of My Life After Hate, and is a sought after international speaker and educator on combating racism through his work with Serve2Unite, an organization that fosters inclusive, compassionate and non violent environments in schools and communities across the United States.

This very special event is Free and open to the public. The program will take place at Congregation Shomrei Torah 2600 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. Parking is limited and carpooling is strongly encouraged. For more information call 707-578-5519 or www.cstsr.org or connect on Facebook.