November 10, 2003

Reformed White Supremacist to Talk About Culture of Hate

Former skinhead activist T. J. Leyden will share his experience with hate and bigotry and describe his transformation in a talk at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Strong Auditorium on the University of Rochester's River Campus.

Leyden worked as an organizer and propagandist for white supremacist groups for 15 years. In his program, titled "Turning Away from Hate," he discusses the violence and culture of hate groups and the importance of fighting their efforts. Admission is $5 for the general public, payable at the door, and free to University of Rochester students, faculty, and staff with ID.

An ex-Marine who covered his body in Nazi tattoos, Leyden changed when he witnessed his three-year-old son's Nazi salute and racist language. He worked for the Simon Wiesenthal Center for more than five years and was a featured speaker at President Bill Clinton's White House Conference on Hate.

Leyden travels across the country to speak about diversity and tolerance to students at high schools and colleges, to the military, and to law enforcement agencies. He also has testified against individuals on trial for hate crimes.

Leyden's talk is sponsored by the Panhellenic Association, the Fraternity President's Council, and the Multicultural Greek Council as part of Greek Week, a series of special programs and events presented by the sororities and fraternities on campus. It is co-sponsored by the College Diversity Roundtable and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs of the Dean of Students. For more information, call (585) 275-5911.