Fact File: KKK – America’s Chaotic Clan
The 1900s was a demanding period in the USA. The surge of racism endured by the African-Americans was severe, and as a result, many groups wanted to purify America’s white superiority. In particular, the KKK (known as the Ku Klux Klan) was a white American group formed to keep America a white society and to isolate the black Americans. Although, some insignificant members still exist nowadays, the KKK had its peak during the 1920-1925 eras and caused chaos amongst different communities.
There were three clans since the formation of the KKK in 1866. The second clan (1900-1944) was responsible for the extreme discrimination given to the African-Americans. Members of the KKK terrorised the black community – assaults, vandalism, and murder were only a few notorious acts the KKK did to the African-Americans.
A Generation of Hate
The KKK influenced many other individuals and groups who were opposed to the presence of black Americans. By the late 1920s, populations within the white society became aware of the KKK and their ambition to purify the United States. Not only did members of the KKK react against the black community, other groups amongst the white community also expressed their hate. White policemen, for example, were responsible for jailing and lynching African-Americans. During the 1930s, the Great Depression caused a rapid economic decline across the world. The United States, in particular, were crippled by the hardships caused by the relapse in its economy. Consequently, the white community sought someone or something to blame for such a sinister event. Their blame was directed at the black community. Stereotypes were also made of the black community – African-Americans were portrayed as criminals and wicked beings through various media (such as newspaper cartoons). Even nowadays, a small degree of racism is seen through the media about the black community.
Decline of the Unruly Clan
The current America is a very different place to the America in the past. Nowadays, firmer laws provide the country with adequate support for their people’s equality, choice, rights and freedom. Members of the KKK began to decline after rights and freedoms were established in the United States. Recently, there have been no major incidents which involve the KKK and other racist groups. This is because tougher laws propose tougher penalties, which impede any plots made by the KKK. Furthermore, the KKK became aware of the American civil rights and freedoms movement and ceased their criminal activities. Through a century of controversy, hate and discrimination, the United States has revolutionised to become one of the most multicultural countries today. Through various protests and civil rights movements, racism has declined rapidly. However, racism has not stopped completely in the United States, but it has been very insignificant compared to the era of hatred and discrimination.
The 1900s was a demanding period in the USA. The surge of racism endured by the African-Americans was severe, and as a result, many groups wanted to purify America’s white superiority. In particular, the KKK (known as the Ku Klux Klan) was a white American group formed to keep America a white society and to isolate the black Americans. Although, some insignificant members still exist nowadays, the KKK had its peak during the 1920-1925 eras and caused chaos amongst different communities.
There were three clans since the formation of the KKK in 1866. The second clan (1900-1944) was responsible for the extreme discrimination given to the African-Americans. Members of the KKK terrorised the black community – assaults, vandalism, and murder were only a few notorious acts the KKK did to the African-Americans.
A Generation of Hate
The KKK influenced many other individuals and groups who were opposed to the presence of black Americans. By the late 1920s, populations within the white society became aware of the KKK and their ambition to purify the United States. Not only did members of the KKK react against the black community, other groups amongst the white community also expressed their hate. White policemen, for example, were responsible for jailing and lynching African-Americans. During the 1930s, the Great Depression caused a rapid economic decline across the world. The United States, in particular, were crippled by the hardships caused by the relapse in its economy. Consequently, the white community sought someone or something to blame for such a sinister event. Their blame was directed at the black community. Stereotypes were also made of the black community – African-Americans were portrayed as criminals and wicked beings through various media (such as newspaper cartoons). Even nowadays, a small degree of racism is seen through the media about the black community.
Decline of the Unruly Clan
The current America is a very different place to the America in the past. Nowadays, firmer laws provide the country with adequate support for their people’s equality, choice, rights and freedom. Members of the KKK began to decline after rights and freedoms were established in the United States. Recently, there have been no major incidents which involve the KKK and other racist groups. This is because tougher laws propose tougher penalties, which impede any plots made by the KKK. Furthermore, the KKK became aware of the American civil rights and freedoms movement and ceased their criminal activities. Through a century of controversy, hate and discrimination, the United States has revolutionised to become one of the most multicultural countries today. Through various protests and civil rights movements, racism has declined rapidly. However, racism has not stopped completely in the United States, but it has been very insignificant compared to the era of hatred and discrimination.
The Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party was an African-American group that reacted against the ongoing racism in the United States. Known as a revolutionary group, the Black Panther Party formed in 1966 and continued its activity until 1982. Police brutality, for example, was a major action propelled by racism. White policeman became extremely aware of the black community and expressed their hate by shooting, jailing and lynching African-Americans. As a result, the Black Panther party formed in order to stop the constant police brutality. The Black Panther party was also known for releasing black people from jail and providing payment, shelter and protection for African-Americans. Members of the party protested against the ways they were treated and formed a Marxist group that favoured equality rather than discrimination and intolerance.
Overall, the Black Panther Party was an anti-discrimination group that brought change to the harsh laws imposed on the black Americans. Just like the other ways in which African-Americans protested against racism, the party also stood their ground to cease prejudice in the United States. We must acknowledge today that protesting is a very powerful example to create awareness and to spark change within a country – whether if the issue is about law, politics or rights and freedoms. After enduring and protesting through the harsh era of the 20th century, black Americans finally deserved their rights and freedoms through the American civil rights movement.
The Black Panther Party was an African-American group that reacted against the ongoing racism in the United States. Known as a revolutionary group, the Black Panther Party formed in 1966 and continued its activity until 1982. Police brutality, for example, was a major action propelled by racism. White policeman became extremely aware of the black community and expressed their hate by shooting, jailing and lynching African-Americans. As a result, the Black Panther party formed in order to stop the constant police brutality. The Black Panther party was also known for releasing black people from jail and providing payment, shelter and protection for African-Americans. Members of the party protested against the ways they were treated and formed a Marxist group that favoured equality rather than discrimination and intolerance.
Overall, the Black Panther Party was an anti-discrimination group that brought change to the harsh laws imposed on the black Americans. Just like the other ways in which African-Americans protested against racism, the party also stood their ground to cease prejudice in the United States. We must acknowledge today that protesting is a very powerful example to create awareness and to spark change within a country – whether if the issue is about law, politics or rights and freedoms. After enduring and protesting through the harsh era of the 20th century, black Americans finally deserved their rights and freedoms through the American civil rights movement.
Cartoon published in the American LIFE Magazine – 1936
This cartoon dates back to the 1936 era, a period when white and black people and their cultures conflicted against each other. The white always viewed themselves as superior over the African-Americans, and this cartoon also contains strong bias. The black person illustrated is depicted like a primate- emphasising that the African-Americans are primitive, inferior and unappealing to white society. The white person is illustrated as a typical office worker during the time, well dressed, neat and visually appealing. The cartoon is most likely aimed at a white audience because it sends a message of how inferior and insignificant the African-Americans were. However, this carton also unveils America’s racist past – a period when many African-Americas suffered under the harsh laws of racial discrimination, segregation and inequality.