UNITED STATES

A man called “one of the best-known white supremacists in North America” is buying up land in the tiny town of Leith, North Dakota. “We [white supremacists] want to politically control the town,” he says. (CNN, watch the video below!)

Use our resources to understand the cultural characteristics of place—and how people can take advantage of these characteristics. SCROLL DOWN to express how you would react to white supremacists moving to your community.

[cnnvideo url=’http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2013/09/21/ac-white-supremacist-town.cnn’ inline=’true’]

Discussion Ideas

• Read our activity “Characteristics of Place.” What natural characteristics do you think made Leith an attractive place for Craig Cobb (and his racist allies in the National Socialist Movement) to try to “politically control”? What about cultural characteristics?
  • natural characteristics: The CNN reporter, Gary Tuchman, says Cobb “picked Leith because it’s a beautiful place.” It is a largely undeveloped, rural community with natural beauty.
  • cultural characteristics: Leith is an isolated community with only 24 residents—fewer than most classrooms. Only a slight increase in population could radically influence town politics.

• According to the Grand Forks Herald, Cobb’s house may be condemned because it is not connected to municipal water and sewer lines. He also has a nuisance complaint and several sanitation citations filed against him. Cobb says he is being unfairly targeted for his beliefs, which are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Do you think Cobb is being unfairly targeted by the local government? Why or why not?