The skanner., December 14, 2016, Page Page 10, Image 10

Page 10 The Skanner December 14, 2016
News
When German Neo-Nazis Have Doubts, There’s a Number to Call
SCHLEIFE, Germany— Felix Ben-
neckenstein was a rising star on Ger-
many’s far-right scene, a young song-
writer whose rousing guitar anthems
made white nationalism sound roman-
tic and rebellious.
But when fellow neo-Nazis attacked
a friend, Benneckenstein found the
doubts he’d ignored for years coming
to the surface.
“It was a rude awakening,” he re-
called. “You have an idea of what’s
wrong with the world and believe
you’ve discovered hidden truths... And
to then realize that everything you’ve
done to yourself and others in the past
years was built on lies is a bitter mo-
ment.”
After almost a decade on the far-right
fringes, the 30-year-old is now part of
a small but effective network of former
neo-Nazis helping people to leave the
scene. Spread across Germany, they
work closely with an organization
called EXIT that provides quick, un-
bureaucratic advice to extremists who
want out.
At a time when extreme nationalism is
on the rise in Europe, EXIT has helped
“
AP PHOTO/MICHAEL SOHN
By FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press
In this Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 photo former far right extremists
Felix Benneckenstein, left, and Falk Isernhagen, right, speak to the
Associated Press in Schleife, eastern Germany. They are part part of a
small but effective network of former neo Nazis working to help people
leave the far-right scene. Spread across Germany they work closely
with an organization called EXIT that provides quick, non-bureaucratic
advice to extremists who want out.
journalists aren’t invited because some
members fear their identity could be
revealed to friends and colleagues un-
aware of their past. Last month The As-
sociated Press received unprecedented
access to the group’s two-day retreat at
a former police training center tucked
away in a wood in the eastern state of
Saxony — notorious for its strong far-
right presence.
About a dozen people — most-
ly young, mostly male — came to
talk about their past and brain-
storm ways to reach out to those
still inside the neo-Nazi scene.
Wagner says the Action Group gives
ex-Nazis a way to become involved in
political campaigns again where other
organizations might reject them due to
their past. The meetings also help them
deal with their own demons.
“It does a lot for people that they can
talk about the old days, not like old
warriors who’ve won battles but about
the mistakes they made in their lives,”
said Wagner. “They’re still looking for
‘I felt I’d done enough
damage so I wanted to
make up for it a bit’
hundreds of neo-Nazis start a new life,
according to founder Bernd Wagner, a
former East German police detective.
He says EXIT has an edge over govern-
ment-run programs because those an-
swering its hotline dropped out of the
far-right movement themselves.
These former neo-Nazis call them-
selves the ‘Action Group’ and try to
meet in person at least once a year.
The meetings aren’t advertised, and
direction in a highly
complex and diverse
reality.”
That includes people
such as Falk Isernha-
gen.
Bespectacled
and
slight, he felt he was
an outsider as a white
kid in a mostly mi-
grant
neighborhood
of Berlin. When older
white students at his
high school invited
him along to football
games, he was grateful.
Soon he was march-
ing alongside them at
far-right demonstra-
tions. Then he offered
to run their website.
Isernhagen left when
the pressure from his
comrades became too
much. Shortly after making the call
to  EXIT, he was attacked by unknown
assailants and ended up in hospital,
under police protection.
Instead of just turning his back on
the far right, he chose to help others
find their way out, too. “I felt I’d done
enough damage so I wanted to make up
for it a bit,” he said.
But it’s not all penance for the former
neo-Nazis who met in Schleife, a village
near the Polish border, in early Novem-
ber. Sitting on a frigid porch outside the
training center, Isernhagen grinned as
he recalled the previous nights’ larks.
“It’s really interesting to work with
people who have the same or similar
experiences,” he said. “Because you feel
that they understand what you went
through and felt. That welds people to-
gether.”
Read the rest of this commentary at
TheSkanner.com
Obituary: Ruby Jean Stephens Elliott
R
July 31, 1933 - Dec. 1, 2016
uby Jean Ste-
vorite memory of her
phens Elliott was
children was when
born on July 31,
they would sneak and
1933 in Abilene,
listen to comedienne
Texas. The youngest
Moms Mabley records
daughter of Emanuel
Saturday
evenings.
and Bessie Stephens,
According to her
Ruby was known for
daughter Denise, it
her wonderful sense
was worth getting in
of humor and often
trouble for!
had her family howl-
Ruby deeply loved
ing with laughter
her husband and chil-
when she dressed up
dren. She went home
Ruby Jean Stephens Elliott
and impersonated her
to be with the Lord on
father and other family members. Thursday, December 1st at approx-
Ruby was married to her best friend, imately 3:00pm. She was greeted
George Elliott, for 44 years and to- at heaven’s gates by her husband
gether they raised seven children. George, her father and mother Bes-
Known for having a green thumb, sie and Emanuel, her oldest sister
one of Ruby’s favorite pastimes was Minnie, her brothers MC and Bill,
gardening. An exceptional cook, her beloved daughter Deborah, and
family often assembled during holi- daughter-in-law Diana Dixon Mill-
days and special occasions at the El- er.
liott’s home. Ruby also enjoyed can-
Ruby is survived by her children
ning and sewing and made several Ronald, Randy, Denise, Donna and
beautiful blankets and quilts over Kerry; step children Lamar, Delores
the years that she generously gave and Willie; several grandchildren
to family and friends.
and great grandchildren, her sisters
Ruby would often jokingly say she Thelma and Mary Lee, and several
used to be pretty, but her sisters nieces and nephews.
beat her up when she was young
Rose City
and stole her beauty from her. A fa-
CEMETERY & FUNERAL HOME