The KKK has bounced back and forth between being a "Southern Gentlemen's Club" and a terrorist organization. The first KKK, from 1865 to 1877 was no doubt a terrorist organization. It's main targets were the freed blacks, as well as Republicans. They comitted a great many murders during that era, as well as having several paramilitary groups, such as the White Leage and the Red Shirts. And all were very active in the election of 1876. But once Reconstruction was ended in 1877 the organization dissolved. The Second KKK was founded in 1915, and was in many ways a fraternal organization. Mostly it was reborn at the time that The Birth Of A Nation was released, and even President Woodrow Wilson was strongly suspected of being a member. In this version, anti-black rhetoric was often overshadowed by anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, anti-Immigrant, and Prohibitionist philosophies. This clan was more educated, and was based more in urban areas. By 1924, over 6 million people were members of the "New Klan". But one of the leaders of this Klan was D.C. Stephenson, was arrested and convicted in the kidnapping, intoxicaion, rape, assault, and murder of a woman in Indiana. And another leader was convicted of violating the Mann Act. This led to a rapid collapse of the Second Klan by 1930. The Klan we have now evolved in the 1950's. Other then a few instances, they have all remained seperate, and act independently of each other. In this way the actions of one chapter do not affect others. And most instances of violence are officially "unapproved", so the actions can't lead back to the chapter itself. And the Klan is a small shell of what it was 50 years ago. Where once you had members wearing their robes for TV interviews on various subjects. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN3wvY4a1DU"]YouTube - ‪Jesus - John Lennon Controversy (Part 3 of 4)‬‏[/ame] But by the end of the 1960's, their popularity and acceptance was definately on the decline. As the saying goes, "The times they are a changing", and segregation, Democrats, and racism was rapidly being kicked out of the South. The Klan was forced to move underground for it's own protection, as the Baby Boomers displaced the "Good Old Boy" network that had existed in the area for over 100 years. When I lived in Alabama, I knew a few people who were members. But all kept it very quiet, and unless you knew the motorcycle club they belonged to was a Klan affiliate, you would never knew that they were members. And just like the Hells Angels, there are 2 sides to the Klan even today. Part of it is a public face, where they simply march and protest things like illegal immigration and other topics that have some backing in the country. Then there is the underground side, which still conducts lynchings, murder, and terrorism. But to me, the modern Klan is all a terrorist organization. And it is no different from many of the Islamic Terrorist organizations. A friendly public relations side, which tries to cover for the bloody side.
They are pretty much nonexistent. They got hit by some pretty big lawsuits in the 1980s, and haven't really reformed. The downside to that is that the former KKKers who didn't quit, gravitated to much more violent groups like the Identity movement (Eric Rudolph, et al).
Not nessicarily. As I said, they just have gone underground, and not always to violent groups. Several I knew in Alabama were members of the Deguello MC. And one of them told me flat out that it was a KKK affilitared motorcycle club. And they often wear the "Blood Drop Cross", althought it may not be obvious that is what it is. I have seen it as the traditional symbol in a belt buckle. I have also seen it as cross ear rings with a red stone in the center, or even as a white cross imposed over a drop of blood (which looks more like a first aid symbol then a hate symbol).
Nearly all of the people the KKK lynched were black men who had raped (or had been accused of raping) a white woman. Blacks killed (and still kill today) over 40 times more white people than the number of blacks killed by whites during the historic height of KKK activity.
Well, I would not doubt they do kill more whites, but it's not cause they hate them....There is a difference ya know... [Although not to the dead guy]
While I agree that they are terror. Are they the same threat to world stability like Al Qaeda? Do we have the KKK conducting church bombings and burnings in Africa for instance? Are burning crosses and lynchings taking place in Europe in proactive "defense of the white European racial stock"? There's a huge difference between some bikers and hillbillies playing dress up in the woods on Stone Mountain, and the real fascists of the Middle East with a global reach.
Would it have been any better if they had gone out on their own, as individuals, to seek vigilante justice? If anything, the fact that they actually came together to form an organization makes them better than the disorganized groups of marauding blacks that have attacked white people. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4F8ob9nlfY&feature=related"]Hundreds of racist Black youths attack Whites at Wisconsin State Fair - YouTube[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLYPReR1F7Q"]Black Gang Of 50 Assault White Family On Fourth of July 2009 - YouTube[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csvlHXJ_pk4&feature=related"]Mobs of Blacks attack Whites at Wisconsin State Fair 2011 - YouTube[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eeMhixTPhU"]Black teens assault pregnant White teen after stealing her iPod. - YouTube[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3EVkZ5ZlB8"]8 Black Kids Beat up a White Kid - YouTube[/ame] The KKK never attacked blacks in wheelchairs. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFoMqbBDzFQ"]Racial Attack Leaves Handicap Senior Citizen With 19 Stitches And Two Black Eyes - YouTube[/ame]
All those that refer too the Klan of being a Terrorist Organization are simply brainwashed ignorant. If that was the case, the NAACP is too. The KKK is an organization that just defends it's God given right to preserve it's White Race, Christian Lifestyle, Occupied Terroratories, Love of True Country, supporting both flags - 'Old Glory' and the 'Dixie Stars n'Cross Bars'.
That is complete nonsense. Over a period of 50 years from 1880 to 1930, almost 5,000 blacks were lynched in the South by the KKK. Do you honestly expect people to believe that they were all rapists? And this is the USA. The lynching of people who are even accused of rape is not allowed, let alone those that actually do it. And I suppose the Mississippi Burning murders were also likewise justified. As well as the shooting of LtCol Lemuel Penn. But we thank you for your response, it lets us know where your thoughts in this matter lie.
You are confusing domestic terrorists with international terrorists. They are very different things. And there are similar terrorists in all areas of the world. In the US the KKK is affiliated with neo-NAZI organizations. And after the attacks in Norway earlier this year, there can be no question that such groups are not dangerous. However, each is a danger largely in their own country.
I do not approve of the NAACP either. But I can't think of the last time they lynched people, or when they charged into a peacefull protest and shot 5 people to death. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8hdNHifoZY"]The Greensboro Massacre - YouTube[/ame]
I don't know if they are terrorists or not. But I do know one thing - they are 100% made up of either incredibly stupid and/or emotionally disturbed people.
Stupid?....Disturbed?.....Hey be carefull.... Pending on where you reside - That community Deputy/Police officer or firefighter might be one. That favorite restaurant you eat at might be owned by one. That mechanic that repairs your vehicle may be one. That Pet Veternarian might be one. That community/city property tax appraiser might be one. Bottom line....There are those seen front runners. But - You really don't know who is one. And that is what makes it simply awesome.
And I kow of many cases where that is exactly the situation. When I was living in Alabama, I knew a lot of klukkers. Just proves anybody can be a racist and idiot.