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John George taught political science at the University of Central Oklahoma from the 1970s until his retirement in 2000. George specialized in the study of extremist groups and ideologies. He collected a number of periodicals and compiled documents of note into subject files. A polarizing figure, Dr. George frequently contributed to The Vista and The Oklahoman, and sometimes became the subject of campus ire. The Nigerian student body once criticized George for organizing a talk with South African diplomats on the anniversary of Nigerian Independence. The students protested during the event due to South Africa's ongoing racial apartheid.
George's political opinions varied in often strange ways. An ardent supporter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), he simultaneously refused to abandon antiquated terms referring to people of color. Dr. George was somewhat of a contrarian and probably even a bit annoying. Passionate about teaching, George described his approach as wanting his students to think more deeply about what they believe and why. He was concerned with getting people to think critically, and how rhetoric might lead to extremes. Regardless of one’s personal opinion of Dr. George, his collection provides a wealth of resources.
The John George Collection consists of over 500 books, nearly 200 periodical titles, and more than 230 subject files. For example, his research on the white nationalist group The Order stands out as a noteworthy file. George compiled documents on the group’s ideology, formation, and downfall. I found the little comments he wrote on the documents particularly interesting. In his research, Dr. George met and spoke with several members of The Order, noting their personal characteristics. Of one member, George wrote, “He was paranoid and bitter, a very angry man.” On a news piece reporting on the significantly light sentence of one member, George noted that at their meeting this member seemed to be a “… police lover and an authority worshipper…”, characteristics which George believe made him a likely informant.
George’s extensive periodical collection includes The Cross and the Flag, a christian nationalist publication providing insight into the beliefs and logic of far-right radicals during the 1960s and 1970s. Antisemitic conspiracy theories populate this publication as well as many others, implicating everything from the financial system to immigration to desegregation. It is also interesting how the The Cross and the Flag viewed federal law enforcement. The editors seemed to hold a somewhat positive view of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, in stark contrast to today’s movements which seem to despise the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Crusaders also caught my eye, a series of religious comic books promoting evangelical views of christianity and spreading the gospel. Relatively tame next to the other periodicals, it seemingly promotes racial equality between christians. However, it connects to extremism becaust the author Jack Chick sometimes expressed hateful views toward other religions and christian groups in his famous comic-style gospel tracts. As a comic reader, finding these in George’s collection was quite the surprise.
The John George Collection offers an opportunity to view rare materials covering extremist groups and is an invaluable resource to researchers in Oklahoma and beyond.
"I met [Randall] Rader. He was a police lover and an authority worshipper type. I always wondered if he was an informant. Seems strange he got off so easy." -Dr. John George
"I knew [Ardie] McBrearty. He was paranoid and bitter, a very angry man." -Dr. John George
Foundational principles of the Christian Nationalist Crusade as espoused by The Cross and the Flag.
Thirty-one principles of christian nationalism as espoused by The Cross and the Flag
Joshua LaFortune is a history major in UCO’s class of 2025. After graduating, Joshua plans to attend law school and begin a career in public service.
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