How did a guy from New Orleans, whose family did not seem to possess any known or public anger against minorities become such a vehement white supremacist and international critic of Jewish people and the State of Israel? 

The first time I encountered David Duke was in college. He had begun to make a name for himself on the LSU campus, taking part in its free-speech alley. I was a student at the University of New Orleans and one night, he spoke to an auditorium-packed room on campus. I was personally very impressed with his intelligence, his oratory skills, but very concerned about what I considered to be his outlandish views on race and religion.

David Duke has certainly become a household name in the United States and in some respects, worldwide.

He is an integral part of an angry moment in Louisiana and America’s history.

So, who is he? How did he become such a virulent white supremacist and anti-Semite?  What do we know about him that might be helpful to understand others who peddle in the far-right wing (or even far-left) swirl?