Alex Haley interviews George Lincoln Rockwell

[malthaussen]

While this is certainly not "recent," it is a good read, indeed, and as I was re-reading it last night it occurred to me that it has relevance to the 2016 elections. Not to mention that I reckon many who were born after 1966 have never been exposed to this great piece of journalism. If you can get through it (and I don't blame you if you can't: it is vile), it is hard to escape the conclusion that Rockwell was actually more intelligent and coherent than Donald Trump. Which is a frightening conclusion, indeed, given that Rockwell was considered a fringe nut and not a viable candidate for the office of President of the United States.

I cannot praise Mr Haley enough for having the capacity to sit through this session. Throughout, he steadfastly challenges Mr Rockwell on factual data and the logic of his arguments; moreover, his magazine (Playboy, not exactly considered a news magazine by any stretch of the imagination) fact-checks many of the interview subject's statements. This is what journalism used to look like, children. (Especial kudos to Mr Haley for not vomiting when Rockwell tells him "I like you;" I can only imagine how many baths Mr Haley took after this interview)

I'll reiterate the warning that many readers will find Mr Rockwell's sentiments, and the way he expresses them, deeply offensive.

http://alex-haley.com/alex_haley_george_lincoln_rockwell_interview.htm

-- Mal

[CBGLuthier]

1. Great read. Here is a clip from Roots: The Next Generation with Brando as Rockwell

Offensive as the interview even if it was on TV

&bpctr=1472749183

[malthaussen]

2. Brando won an award for that depiction, IIRC.

Well-deserved.

-- Mal

[Aristus]

3. For all the jokes about "I read Playboy for the articles",

Playboy actually once was a bastion of excellent reportage, feature articles, short and serialized fiction, and social commentary.

I don't know about these days, but backin the 60's and 70's for sure.

[malthaussen]

4. When my family moved into a new house in '68...

... the previous resident had left stacks of old numbers of Playboy in a closet. My father immediately appropriated them (must have impressed my mother no end). When he wasn't around, my brother and I would check them out, which as we were 12 and 13 was about perfect timing. Which is how I ended up reading this interview the first time (hey, I read everything, milk cartons, cereal boxes...). I subscribed for awhile in the late 70's, but I don't think I've looked at an issue for 30 years. So I wonder if it has kept those editorial standards, too.

-- Mal

[czarjak]

5. Fast forward to present day Lubbock, Texas...

Some things never change. That I can tell you.