Ku Klux Klan Symbolism

Over the past few years the Ku Klux Klan has developed majorly in many ways, positively and negatively. The Klan has caused a lot of physical and mental issues to most races and ethnicities. The KKK is classified as a HATE GROUP and has forced African americans and other minorities to live in fear.

The Ku Klux Klan originated in the Southern States of 1866. By 1870 the Klan was in almost every Southern State. At its height, the Klan didn 't brag an organized structure or any clear leadership. Klan members wore masks, dressed in long white robes and hoods. Normally would carry out attacks at night. On their own, but in support common goals of defeating radical reconstruction in the south. After the first world war the Klan gained strength drawing

The burning cross symbolizes intimidate targets like Catholics, minorities, and anyone else who didn’t meet their idealistic standards. The first KKK cross burning happened at Stone Mountain, Georgia on the eve of Thanksgiving in November, 1915. Klan members do not refer this action as cross burning. They call it cross lighting and say it is a symbol of their faith and belief. The flames, supposedly symbolize the fiery light of Christ. They proclaim cross burning was never meant to desecrate a symbol of Christianity but rather to honor it.

The KKK decided that the violence against the Republican leaders and voters was an effort to turn around the white supremacy in the South. Ten percent of black legislators were elected during 1867-1868. Constitutional conventions became victims of violence during Reconstruction, many were killed at these conventions. White Republicans (derided as “carpetbaggers” and “scalawags”) and black institutions such as schools and churches were also targets of Klan

There are about 5,000 to 8,000 members in the U.S. today. Trial of Josephus Anderson was when an African American was charged with murder of a white police officer. The local KKK was upset because they didn’t reach a verdict, they believed that they couldn’t because some of the jury members were African American On May 17th, 2000, the FBI announced the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing was done by the KKK splinter group (Cahaba Boys). There were 4 men involved Robert Chambliss, Herman Cash, Thomas Blanton and Bobby Cherry. Cash was dead, Blanton and Cherry were arrested. Cherry was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

The Ku Klux Klan is not as big as it used to be but that doesn’t keep many races from living in fear. These are many reasons that over the past few years the Ku Klux Klan has developed majorly in many ways, and how they have caused other minorities to live with physical and mental issues. All the destruction they have caused is the reason for the Klan to be classified as a HATE group and has caused others to live in