Contemporary KKK

Since its innovation in 1866, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has harbored a distinct group of individuals who ideals, beliefs, and core values shake the very laws that the United States was founded upon.

Throughout its existence, the KKK has always been a group that was often feared by many people of color, especially African Americans. The history of the KKK illustrates images of hate and violence, as well as a reputation of elite and powerful individuals. According to the article “American Swastika, Inside the White Power Movement’s Hidden Spaces of Hate”, past presidents such as Harry Truman and Warren Harding were members of the fraternal order.  Author Jessie Daniels highlights the common misconceptions regarding clan membership, debating the idea that the Klan only consisted of “backwoods” people. For example in her book Daniels states, “Many assume that white supremacists are gap-toothed, ignorant, unsophisticated, and uneducated… when in fact neither of these notions are supported by empirical evidence.”

Recently, Klan membership has been scrutinized by many professionals, and questioned by a larger part of society. According to the article “The Divine Conspiracy”, recent studies show that there are an estimated 143 active Klan chapters in the United States. This fact brings up an interesting point; in American history we have seen progressive movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Rights movement, change the laws and culture of modern society, however, the question remains of what it will take to actually put an end to black racial discrimination.

Some authors believe that it will take putting an end to organizations such as Aryan Nations and the Ku Klux Klan, however recent immigration fears and economic concerns have encouraged a boost in membership numbers. Another factor encouraging membership growth is the idea of “white victimization and loss of white heritage” as stated per journal authors Pete Simi and Robert Futrell.

The issue of “protecting the white race” has been at the core of every white supremacist group since the beginning of time. However Simi & Futrell’s article makes an interesting note, stating that two of the strongest white supremacist groups are now joining forces; the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations. Recently, KKK members have admitted to helping in the planning and organization of neo-Nazi events, and according to Simi & Futrell, this is only helping in the “nazification” of the KKK.

The idea of these two white supremacist groups joining together is not only terrifying to every citizen on a personal level, but it also poses a large and immediate threat to the current cultural freedoms that our society endures. Having two groups with an storied history of violence and hate join together, can only bring darkness to the future of America. Yes, there are government laws protecting citizens from such hate crimes, but the idea of legally defining a hate crime is an issue in itself, only leading to loopholes and confusion.

Within the past 60 of the 140-year existence of the KKK, it has appeared that the group has remained quiet with the exception of a few incidents. Today, many people still believe that the KKK is only composed of “red necks” and people from the “back-woods”. However in their article Simi & Futrell stated that membership was increasing in states such as Iowa and Indiana, proving that the fear “for the future of the white race” is an idea that is shared by many Americans today. If KKK membership numbers are truly on the rise, it is my belief that our nation will have the coming of a second civil war on its hands.

http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/Z5259G.pdf