Racism And The Ku Klux Klan Essay Example For Students

Racism And The Ku Klux Klan Essay Since the early development of society in the United States, racism has always been a divisive issue faced by communities on apolitical level. Our country was built from the immigration of people from an international array of backgrounds. However, multitudes of white supremacists blame their personal as well as economic misfortunes on an abundance of ethnic groups. African-Americans, Jews and Catholics are only some of the of groups tormented by these white supremacists. As the amount of ethnic diversity gradually increased in the political systems of Louisiana and the United States, organizations rapidly formed to challenge the new ethnic variation in government. The Ku Klux Klan is one of these groups that were formed by people who were angered by the increase of diversity in political office and in the workplace. Local and state officials that were members of the Klan aided in providing influence, money, and information to the racist organization. As the civil rights movement bec ame accepted, it seemed as if the power of racist organizations deteriorated. However, with the Klan demanding freedom of speech, with political figures related to the Ku Klux Klan still bringing prejudice to politics throughout the country, and with multitudes of African-American churches being burned to the ground, it seems as if the Ku Klux Klan is still a threat to the citizens of this country. The Ku Klux Klan has played a major role in United States history. As the south was undergoing the era of Reconstruction after the Civil War, the votes of newly emancipated black Southerners put the Republicans in power throughout the state. White Southerners resorted to brute force to preserve the white supremacy they once had. The Klan was originally arranged into secret societies that terrorized local white and black Republican leaders. They also threatened all African Americans who violated the old ideas of black inferiority. Sworn to secrecy, its members wore white robes and masks and adopted the burning cross as their symbol. The Klan members seemed to be most active during election campaigns, when they would either scare people into voting for their candidate or get rid their opponents entirely. They were noticed for their horrible acts of violence that they called nighttime rides. These attacks included murder, rape, beatings, and warnings and were designed to overcome Republ ican majorities in the south. Due to the fear of a race war, state officials were unable to suppress the violence. Law enforcement officials were Klan members themselves and even when the law officers were legitimate, Klan members also sat on juries where criminally accused members were often acquitted.(Harrel,47-52)The Klan was popularized through literature and film in the early nineteenth century. Its influence spread with help from ThomasB. Dixons The Clansman (1905) and D.W. Griffiths movie The Birth of a Nation (1915). (Harrel, 85) Harrel felt that this eventually led to the establishment of a new Ku Klux Klan, which spread throughout the nation and preached anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-black, antisocialist, and anti-labor-union Americanism (87). Harrel stated that the Klans two million adherents exercised great political power, often taking the law into their own hands, mobs of white-robed, white-hooded men punished immorality and terrorized un-American elements (88). The Klan erupted as a secret organization employing its secrecy to mislead the public and inquiring newspapers. Therefore,they were labeled the invisible empire. Harrel urges the idea that in certain regions the Klan did not have enough influence to become politically triumphant (307). But where it was strong the Invisible Empire elected scoresof local officials, state legislators, a few governors, severalnational representatives, including Earle B. Mayfield ofTexas, William J. Harris of Georgia, and Hugo Black ofAlabama, to the United States Senate. (Harrel, 307)The Klan was extremely hungry for political gain. The best way to promote the growth of an organization of this sort would be the expansion of a network with prominent political and investment resources. The limitation of immigration, maintenance of nationalprohibition, restriction of the political influence of the Catholic Church and minority groups, clean government,and maintenance of community morals, were goalswhich violence and intimidation alone could not achieve. (Harrel, 305) It is seemed necessary that in order to have a prosperous organization, the Klan would have to infiltrate the political offices held by the liberals. This is a task easier said than done. Road to Valley Forge EssayThere is also Ernest Pierce and Brian Tackett. Pierce, an Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and farmer, was convicted andsentenced to 51 months in a federal prison for ordering Tackett to incinerate the Barren River Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tackett, a younger member of the Klan, was sentenced to 115 months for conspiracy, arson, as well as auto theft, for stealing the car he used for his nights act. The African-American church arsons is the largest investigation the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, and Firearms is conducting; even larger than that of the TWA Flight 800 investigation. President Clinton signed a bill giving 12 million dollars to the ATF to investigate the fires. It also happens to be the FBIs largest civil rights investigation under way. (Fields, 7 Aug. 1996)The Ku Klux Klan is not only a threat politically and physically, but they also incite riots. In June of last year in Greenville, Texas, the Klan held a rally in which the y waived Confederate flags and complained about the U.S. government (Taylor). Michael Lowe a leader in the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan was stated in saying, It aint about hate, its about white pride (Taylor). Another member was quoted in saying, It aint the white people, its the damned government, the Jews, whose bringing this country down. It aint the white people (Taylor). Over 150 state and local policemen were present to control the crowd of anti-KKK as well as different KKK factions. Some policemen were dressed in riot gear, some were on horseback as they tried to control the mobs behind the barricades set up along the small towns street. The United States is known as the melting pot. Since its beginnings as small settlements, this country has always been a havento those who need it. When many think of America they think of the land of opportunity, the land of the American dream. Where one can, no matter who they are or where they are from can make it rich. The Ku Klux Klan is everything the American dream is not. They are a sign of bigotry and hatred. They have strived for over a hundred years to shatter the dreams of so many people. Many believe that since the civil rights movement the KKK is no longer a danger. But, we must not forget racism and bigotry does not die with an amendment to the Constitution. There are still people like David Duke in office. There are still people like Gary Cox setting fires to churches. And there are still people like Michael Lowe who believe it is the Jews whobring this country down. We must not forget that the KKK is still alive, and we, as Americans, should do everything in our powe r to protect the American dream.