Racism and the Ku Klux Klan

Racism and the Ku Klux Klan

Since the early development of society in the United States,

racism has always been a divisive issue faced by communities on a

political 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

became 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

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... 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 who

bring this country down. We must not forget that the KKK is still

alive, and we, as Americans, should do everything in our power to

protect the American dream.