What Can a Former Neo-Nazi Skinhead Teach Urbandale?

Frank Meeink, author and former neo-Nazi skinhead, will speak March 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Urbandale High School Performing Arts Center, courtesy of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce genYP group.

Meeink’s violent childhood in South Philadelphia primed him to hate. He made easy prey for a small group of skinheads. At 14 he shaved his head. By 16, Meeink was one of the most notorious skinhead gang leaders on the East Coast.

By 18 he was doing hard time in an Illinois prison. Behind bars, Meeink began to question his hatred, thanks in large part to his African-American teammates on a prison football and basketball team.

Shortly after being paroled, Meeink defected from the white supremacy movement. The Oklahoma City bombing inspired him to try to stop the hatred he once had felt.

He speaks on behalf of civil rights groups and does interventions on racism. Frank Meeink has appeared on MTV and other national networks in his efforts to stop the hate.

The movie, "American History X," starring Edward Norton, is loosely based on Meeink’s life. Meeink has a book “Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead” and is currently in the process of developing a reality TV show to be aired on AMC.

In addition, Meeink recently was named one of the country's premier civil rights speakers. 

This event is open to the general public for $25 general admission.  For reservations, contact the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce at 515-331-6855 or email jschultz@urbandalechamber.com.