“Defensive Racism” Needs No Defense
A Book Review of Edgar J. Steele’s “Defensive Racism”

By: Billy Roper, Chairman, White Revolution

September 29, 2004

Despite the fact that I enjoyed doing much of the research for Chapter Six of Arthur Kemp’s “History of the White Race”, and my Master’s Thesis “PaleoAmerican Ethnic Diversity” is book-length; and I do intend to write a book of my own, someday, when I’m finally hauled in by ZOG and locked up for long enough to have enough free time to get it written, I have often said that we have enough damn books already. I have said, indeed, that it is nigh time to shed less ink, and more fluid of other hues. So, it was with some hesitation that I agreed to read and review a pre-publication copy of Ed Steele’s “Defensive Racism”.

…All right, there was no hesitation on my part, really, just the nagging doubt whether I’d be able to read the book and write a comprehensive review of it in a timely fashion. I was concerned that it would be a disservice to the author to do otherwise, and my schedule is always hectic, to say the least. That unfortunate time crunch was exacerbated by the death of Pastor Butler just after I received the pre-publication copy of Mr. Steele’s book in the mail. Finally, though, I have had an opportunity to finish the well-written manuscript, and feel ready to expound.

I have witnessed Mr. Steele’s personal growth and radicalization from the time he first agreed to defend Pastor Butler against Morris Dees and the SPLC. I’ve been proud to watch him become more racial, and, simultaneously, more polished as a writer. Certainly I wouldn’t hesitate to say that he has become one of the best, most effective and evocative writers in the White Nationalist movement today…like Kevin Alfred Strom might be after a really thorough laxative.

Now, according to Mr. Steele’s definitions of the differences between “Offensive Racism” and the kind of “Defensive Racism”, which he proposes, I’m definitely more of an “Offensive” racist. That didn’t really come as any surprise to me, though, because I knew from the start that the author’s worldview wasn’t as radical as my own. In fact, the only points on which we’ve ever really disagreed have been when he has displayed a marked antipathy towards National Socialism in some of his previous articles, such as his twice repeating the jewish canard that Hitler instituted gun control in Germany, for example, and his recent article comparing Goebbels to Bush, as others have pointed out.

However, there is a learning curve in this thing of ours, and there need to be books appropriate for beginners. Just as there are some ostensibly pro-White organizations which are less radical than White Revolution, but from which many of WR’s current members have graduated, there need to be books and literature which take the curse off of racism by presenting it in a non-offensive, palatable manner to those who feel instinctively as we do, but who have never had the opportunity to formulate their politically incorrect notions into concrete ideas which can be expressed clearly. This learning curve is why I oppose the public display of swastikas at demonstrations and protests, for example. Yes, the U.S. was on the wrong side in W.W. II, and Hitler was right, and the swastika is an ancient revered symbol of our race, but that’s above the learning curve of most White Americans. They just aren’t ready for it. Once we get them to agree with us that we don’t want America to become a third-world country due to the flood of nonWhite immigration we’re facing, and once we get them to admit that supporting Zionism is not in America’s best interest, then we can teach them more of the whys and wherefores. I will admit that most White Americans aren’t even ready to hear my message that “White Revolution is the only solution”, but we aren’t an entry-level organization, and don’t claim to be. That having been said, we should try to do whatever is possible, without compromising the truth of our message, to make it easier for them to imagine themselves standing with us, without too much of a leap of faith. That’s why anything which helps more of our fellow White Americans identify with us is a good thing, and anything which hinders that or makes it more difficult for us to explain our message to them because we have to spend half our time explaining the symbolism and imagery we use rather than the substance of our message, is a bad thing.

That’s why Ed Steele’s “Defensive Racism” is, above all, a good thing.

Just because it’s less radical than what I would have written, doesn’t mean that “Defensive Racism” is either weak or simplistic. It is neither. There are only a couple of minor editing errors, such as the redundant sentences describing tax cuts as governmental expenditures on P. 310-311, but the most important aspect of the book is that it isn’t racial baby formula, there is real meat inside, that everyone can chew on. Now, if you want a book to bop a jew in the nose with, David Duke’s “My Awakening” is much heavier, but Steele imparts the same lessons in History, Genetics, and Economics in half the space. In fact, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the last century of world history in one chapter, “World War III”, more than you would in three or four graduate level History courses. Steele’s genius lies in his writing style, which is comforting enough not to make one feel overwhelmed by data and facts, through a nearly conversational tone that allows one to absorb the points he makes without too much effort. For example, although it and History are inextricably linked, economics was never my forte. However, I got more out of his chapter “Money’s End Game: Depression II” than I ever did from college. I’d love to have the chance to hear him speak, based on his writing style. I bet he’d be an excellent orator.

I’d feel comfortable handing this book to a conservative, or a ‘good old boy’ redneck, and asking them to read it with an open mind. As Mark Farrell has stated, Steele doesn’t get bogged down in evolutionary theory that would confuse most of our people, who are the products of integrated public education, or offend the sensibilities of Christians, Identity or otherwise, unnecessarily. But, he does cover genetics enough that anyone with common sense could see the logic of physical racial differences being a reality caused by nature and being a part of nature’s (or God’s ) plan.

While he’s obviously been influenced by Tom Chittum’s “Civil War Two”, he doesn’t go off on Survivalist rants about keeping your powder dry and collecting things that make big noises, either. Those of you who enjoyed Dr. Bent Nelson’s “America Balkanized” will enjoy Steele’s treatment of that prognostication, as well. Some of the best things about “Defensive Racism” are what Steele does NOT say, however. Religion and weaponry are too equally dangerous subjects which authors of pro-White books should avoid, as Steele does admirably. And, National Socialists, you’ll be glad to hear that “Defensive Racism” is much more favorably inclined towards Uncle Addie and crew than I would have anticipated. I didn’t even flinch once.

One of the hardest things to do, once you’ve climbed a mountain, is to remember how it looked from the base. We all have climbed that learning curve at different rates, to get to where we are today. Others, coming behind us, will profit from the trails we have broken for them. Anything that makes the path easier for more of them to get where we are, eventually, we should encourage. That’s why I recommend Ed Steele’s “Defensive Racism” for all your friends and family who are just getting started down this road we’re on, or need a push-start. And, if you’ve forgotten how we got here, you might just want to pick a copy for yourself, as a reminder.

-Billy Roper
billy@whiterevolution.com