(Worse Than Slavery)
Americans did little to stop the klans activities until the civil rights movement. Even in the 20th century the klan could exercise their influence, and in the small towns they came from, no one would challenge them out of fear, because even important towns people could be members of the klan themselves.
However modern day understanding is that the klan's old activities are illegal and banned, yet somehow the klan survives. The website says they are now a "White Nationalist" society wanting to "Preserve White America." In our society they have the right to their freedom of speech, yet it begs the question. If they are such a changed organization, why keep the infamous name and tradition?
What do you think made the KKK die down? Even blatant racism is on the decline. Perhaps this is because we are teaching acceptance instead of segregation in schools, but this still does not answer the question. Why did we start teaching the posterity these values? How come the Civil Rights movement was able to succeed precisely in the sixties, when centuries of struggle amounted to very little?
ReplyDeleteI am always surprised to hear that the KKK is still around today, even if under a different name. While of course our society is not perfect, I feel like we have moved past displays of open racism, and I am amazed that the KKK has not been strongly opposed and quieted by other citizens who are supportive of equal rights for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think they'd keep the infamous name and tradition simply because they believe they have a right to express pride for their "white heritage." Many modern KKK members believe that the violence the KKK committed against the black community has been over exaggerated. I don't believe that the modern KKK members are much different from previous generations, except for the fact that every generation's amount of members is slowly decreasing. (Though I don't believe it will ever completely die out.)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brandon on this issue. Although we would like to think that racism as in the days of the height of the KKK is completely gone, its continued existence points to the fact that it is still being perpetuated. The name KKK carries a stigma of violence, white supremacy, and inherent racism, and keeping the name while continuing with similar, if moderated ideas, means thinking that KKK's special brand of racism is gone is naivete. While they will never commit the atrocities of its previous incarnations, the members of the new KKK are probably still capable of committing those acts under the right circumstances.
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