Term Paper on "Ku Klux Klan"

Term Paper 8 pages (2441 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Ku Klux Klan: Domestic Terrorists

With the events of recent years Americans have focused their attentions and concerns for violence overseas. It is very easy in the face of post-9/11 society to forget that there are organizations that are extremely dangerous and just as dedicated to their beliefs as those foreign groups right here in our own country. The Ku Klux Klan is arguably one of the most easily recognized hate groups and its activities and strongly held beliefs easily define it as one of the most dangerous domestic terrorist groups in American history.

Though terrorism has been around for millennia, the exact definition of term is not easily found. The problem that terrorism presents in definition is that, while one side is clearly victimized often in horrendous and unethical ways, the aggressor and those that sympathize with them are utterly convinced of the righteousness and necessity of their actions. An excellent illustration of this concept is the Christian Crusades. Regardless of the subjectivity of various situations, a definition of terrorism as it relates to groups within or acting within the United States has been accepted by the United States. In section 2331 of Chapter 113b in the United States Code the term "domestic terrorism" means activities that A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;

B) appear to be intended i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States (House of Rep., 113b.2331).

Unquestionably the activities of the modern Ku Klux Klan fall within well within these definitions.

There has been a recent resurgence of controversy over the true history of the Ku Klux Klan. According to many newer sources of questionable origin, the original Ku Klux Klan was founded as a source of amusement and a general mood lightening activity for those being repressed by the Reconstruction after the American Civil War. These same sources state that the later, World War I era reincarnation was largely a philanthropic society of great esteem and even greater membership. It was during this era, regardless of the source, that the record of cross burning began. The sources that tout the philanthropic nature of the Klan state that the burning of the cross was not an act of violence, but a ceremonial prop used in worship and based on various incidences of burning crosses in the Bible (Horn, 1969). Because of the current debate over the authenticity of these claims, the original and War-era Ku Klux Klan will not be examined here. It is worth pointing out though that there is evidence, even in these positively slanted presentations of the history of the Klan, that there were at least some "rogue" branches of the Klan that used the kind of violence that we are familiar with.

Moving beyond the controversy of the "true" history of the first two generations of the Ku Klux Klan, a new age of the Klan emerged in the 1950s, triggered by the civil rights movements of the time (ADL, 2001). This era of the Klan is the one that most concerns those interested in labeling the Klan as a terrorist group.

There can be no question as to the philosophies, beliefs and activities of the modern branches of the Ku Klux Klan. Many branches have developed quite a presence on the internet in an attempt to educate and recruit. The portal page for the Imperial Klans of America International Headquarters proudly boasts the 6th Era of the Ku Klux Klan. This first page consists of a disclaimer and information page that initially states, "We are against terrorists, the immoral, and oppose all criminal behavior and activity. The Klan promotes, upholds and protects all the laws in whatever state, country, or city you live in" (IKAIH). They also claim that their material and beliefs are "never intended to threaten others in any way, shape or form" (IKAIH). The discussion on this page is quite lengthy, and the language is increasingly offensive and accusatory as the disclaimer reads on. The last paragraph, presented in slightly larger, darker text, is the most telling:

If you are not of the White race, this web site is not for the likes of YOU! We reserve the right of free speech to state our views whether our enemies like it or not. The IKA hates: Muds, spics, kikes and niggers. This is our God given right! In no way do we advocate violence. We believe in educating our people to the monopolistic Jewish control of the world's banks, governments, and media. White education is what ZOG hates and why it tries to imprison White Racialists (IKAIH).

This "ZOG" stands for Zionist Occupation (or Occupied) Government. Here they are accusing the United States government in particular of being controlled by Jews whose aims are to control the world. The term "Zoinist" is used in a derogatory manner and implies a widespread conspiracy of the Jewish people against the rest of the nations (ADL, 2001).

Recent international terrorist activity has brought the role of extremist religion into sharp focus. This is yet another area where the Ku Klux Klan organization does not fall short in the consideration of the KKK as a terrorist group. Just as experts are quick to point out that, though the alleged perpetrators of recent international terrorist activity are committing these crimes in the name of Islam, the views of these individuals do not necessarily reflect the genuine tenets of the faith, it should certainly be realized that the Ku Klux Klan does not seem to promote the ideas of a pure, genuine Christian faith. The most important element of the Klan is its religious connections, however. On the website of the Imperial Klans of America website, three of the "20 Reasons for Membership" specifically state or imply that the KKK is a Christian organization (IKAIH). This Christian philosophy has, again as in the currently spotlighted Islam groups, in recent year evolved into a very specific structure.

Identity Christianity is a splinter sect of Christianity that has developed its ideology from the racist philosophies that the Ku Klux Klan holds dear. Their tenets teach that those of the white European race are direct descendants of the Israelites, who are God's Chosen People and that Jesus was of this tribe, not the tribe of Judah. The modern Jew is considered a lesser race by these Chosen People. Those that follow this extremist sect believe that most mainstream Christian denominations are promoting lies and heresy. Of course, most of those same churches feel precisely the same way about Identity Christians and their church. Ultimately this Identity Christianity is a hateful mixture of anti-Semitism, racism, and homophobia. Identity holds that Jews are the offspring of Satan; that Blacks and other racial minorities are inferior; and that white Anglo-Saxons are the "true Israelites." This splinter sect of Christianity and its relationship to mainstream Christianity and to the violence of the Ku Klux Klan draws alarming parallels to the radical Islamic sects that have been connected with various violent acts of international terrorism (ADL 2001).

Though the religion is certainly a strong and interesting element of a terrorist group, the most important element as far as defining a group as a terrorist group is the use of violence to promote its message or philosophy. There is no doubt that the Ku Klux Klan has, and continues to use violence as their vehicle of communication.

For instance, on March 21, 1981, Michael Donald, a 19-year-old black man was the victim of a lynching by Bennie Hays, his son, Henry Hays, and James "Tiger" Knowles in Mobile, Alabama. All three men were members of the Ku Klux Klan. This murder was committed in answer to the trial of Josephus Ansdersonan, who was charged with murdering a white policeman, but whose trial ended with a hung jury. Outraged with this event, some other members of the KKK lit a burning cross on the lawn of the Mobile County courthouse, and the two Hays and Knowles set out hunting for a victim. Donald was chosen completely at random because "If a nigger can get away with killing a white man, then a nigger should be hung" (Donald vs. United Klans of America, 1985). Donald was beaten with a tree limb before having his throat cut and finally being hung from a tree.

To further solidify this particular example as a terrorist act, it is stated in Donald vs. United Klans of America that:

The purpose of this conspiracy [to hunt down a black person at random in order to commit the lynching] was twofold: first, to intimidate present and future jurors in the Mobile County and Alabama from ruling in favor of black defendants charged with crimes against… READ MORE

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