Are you proud of the KKK and similar groups that are now anti immigration? Or do you run and hide?
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Feb. 9, 2007, n.p.
© Copyright 2007, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. All rights reserved.
Anti-Immigrant Sentiments Fuel Ku Klux Klan Resurgence
By Brad Knickerbocker
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
• Long stuck in splintered obscurity, the group is seeing an increase in activity and a return to its nativist origins.
The Ku Klux Klan appears to be on the rise again after years of irrelevance and splintered obscurity.
"Due to the successful exploitation of hot-button issues," the Klan has seen "a surprising and troubling resurgence," states a new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Gay marriage and urban crime are part of the picture. But, in particular, it is the debate over what to do about the nation's nearly 35 million immigrants, of whom about 11 million are in the US illegally, that has become the Klan's main recruiting tool.
"If any one single issue or trend can be credited with reenergizing the Klan, it is the debate over immigration in America," says Deborah Lauter, the ADL's civil rights director. "New groups [are] sprouting in parts of the country that have not seen much activity."
In addition to the South, where the Ku Klux Klan was founded by Confederate Civil War veterans in 1866, this now includes active or growing Klan chapters in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
There is no centralized organization, and membership numbers are estimates at best--5,000 to 8,000 in as many as 179 Klan groups, according to the ADL, a group that fights bigotry, especially anti-Semitism, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights law firm and education center.
But it is the increase in activity, including rallies, recruitment drives, and distribution of racist literature, and the partnering with skinheads, neo-Nazis, and other kinds of hate groups, that civil rights groups find troubling.
As it did from its founding, the KKK views itself as having a religious dimension. Members see "lighting" a cross as a symbol of faith. Today, Christian Evangelicals are much more likely than mainstream Protestants or Roman Catholics to believe that "newcomers threaten traditional American customs and values," according to the Pew Research Center.
It is this trend in attitudes that the Klan hopes to use in recruiting new supporters among those opposed to US immigration policies and practices, according to Klan leaders and expert observers.
In a way, it's a reversion to the Klan's nativist origins.
"While we generally think of it as a white supremacist organization, the Klan at its peak was virulently anti-immigrant, particularly with regard to Catholic immigrants, Irish, and southern European," says Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.
That was in the 1920s, when the Klan numbered about 4.5 million. The KKK had dropped to an estimated 60,000 members during the civil rights era (1954-65) and had bottomed out at fewer than 2,000 members by the mid-1970s, says Mr. Levin, a civil rights attorney who teaches criminal justice.
Levin notes that any rise in KKK activity and membership today comes off a near-historic low, and "some of the chapters are rather slim pickings."
"I'm more worried about the exploitation of the immigration issue generally than I am about the Klan exploiting it," says Levin. "I think the Klan is going to hit a ceiling because of the negative symbolism, the negative baggage."
But, he adds, "The whole nature of hate group membership has changed with the advent of the Internet. You can take bits and pieces from whatever group you like without necessarily becoming a card-carrying member."
Although some KKK adherents still don robes and pointed hoods to hold rallies and burn crosses, younger followers are more likely to look like skinheads or neo-Nazis, decorated with racist tattoos and listening to white power rock bands such as Skrewdriver and Brutal Attack.
During the first half of this decade the number of hate groups in the US increased 33 percent to 803, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Ku Klux Klan was an important part of that increase.
Answers:
Transfering from one college to another before school starts?
In a nation of 300 million people only 5000 knuckleheads are members of the KKK, there are other racist groups with real frightening numbers and tax funding that you should pay attention to also.People see the KKK for what it is.. pathetic, racist, small minded, hate - the initials KKK are synonymous with hate and everybody knows their agenda, nothing subtle about this group. They are small and pitiful and not welcome in any town in the United States for their marches. All racist groups should be exposed and dismantled (All).
Is it racist of Jessie Jackson to talk about gun crime in the UK black community?
i like beating on klan members, though i hate violence i cannot help myself. i think they are a joke and fight them physically where ever i see them.
I dont know who is gonna fill out the form I-134?
That's idiotic.
You know, Hitler was a vegetarian. It's the same ridiculous argument. Look up "logical fallacies" sometime.
Just because some insane right-wing group is actually against something immoral and illegal, that doesn't mean we should embrace it.
The Klan can burn in hell, but I'm still for shipping lawbreakers such as identity theives, drug smugglers, illegal scab workers, and unscreened disease carriers back home where they belong. Black, white, brown, red or blue, I don't care about nation of origin or skin color, I care about following the laws which are there for a reason, a very correct one.
You wouldn't let someone who broke into your home stay as a guest, so why allow illegal immigrants to stay here and continue to be law breakers?
Which selection?own country or Canada?
We may support the same issue, but for different reasons.
That is sick. It is not me at all.
Why do you want to emigrate to Canada? I do not want short answer?
So because they are against it we should be for it... that makes no sense. It also makes no sense to say that because they are using it as an issue it should just be abandoned as an issue and just accepted. Is it bad to support environmental issues with crazies going around and burning SUV's? Well no, as long as you don't burn SUV's you are okay in doing so. As long as you try to influence policy in a way that does not violate human rights (being against someone breaking the law is not in violation of their rights) then what is the problem. If you are here to complain about the KKK then complain about the KKK because of their methods not because they are pro or anti illegal.
Interesting video isn't it [[ sorry Giuliani supporters]]?
I prefer Hispanics who are honest and admit they hate all other races. They are much better people than the lying hypocrites who pretend not to be racist while at the same time criticizing the other races and secretly hating us.
I much rather face the La Raza in a frontal battle than have those cowards who pretend friendship and tolerance only to backstab you.
Holy cow, this question is "something else". I've never read so much bull in my entire life.
The Klan may be anti-tax, too, for all I know. I could care less. That some kooks support one position, for one reason, doesn't make the position invalid.
I mean all the welfare recipients who vote, vote Dem. Does that mean don't vote Dem? Well, actually, uh... anyway, y ou see my point.
What can I do if I have a voluntary deportation since 1997?
Now then silly goose;
Racism has nothing to do with Illegal Immigration. Its really quite simple...
In the United States Legally then Welcome to America.
In the United States ILLegally then Welcome to Jail and deportation.
Pretty simple isn't it. OBEY the laws of the COUNTRY.
Is there a processing fee of $750 CAN, when you apply for a Canadian work permit?
I think its disgusting. Interesting responses from people who think anything from the World Net Daily is gospel and so interesting they cut and paste it daily.
They best not mess with me, there will be fewer of them.
Many civil rights activists argue that the states and the federal government should...?
Most Americans are against illegal aliens. Is the KKK not allowed to be against them too for some reason??
An illegal alien is not a race BTW in case you didn't know.
If they are against ALL immigrants, this is in opposition to mainstream America. Most are against ILLEGAL ALIENS, which does include immigrants. Immigrants are here legally.
BTW, I am against the KKK and any other group (including pro-illegal groups) that discriminate on the basis of race.
I agree with Ms. L.A.
Why did Bush invade Iraq and lie about WMD (weapons of mass destruction)?
Mexicans like you who stole jobs away from citizens, drove me out of the bay area, so go ask someone who gives a flying ----
EEA family permit have ever applied for one?
Why not discuss this at the next meeting of La Raza or Mecha? Perhaps they would enjoy your unthought out theory on the KKK. I guarnatee you that if they showed up at your door, you'd be frightened! As would anyone with a bit of smarts, but don't single out a group that resembles all of your Hispanic hate groups! Too bad all people can't fight their own battles without some hate group telling them what to do! All the videos I've seen with the Hispanic hate groups, they had bandanas over their faces, too!
Just taking a little poll on something?
I hate to say it, but how else do you counter racist groups like La Raza than with a more pitiful racist group?
Let them kill each other off so the rest of the nation can use intellectual debate and intelligent tactics to decide the laws.
EDIT: Who's hiding? My face will be out in the open at an anti-illegal rally in less than 3 hours from now. Will you still be sitting behind your computer then?
Question was removed - will be repeated. How is it that Elvira Arellano wrongfully deported?
the KKK is studid. watch, they'll defend the KKK and bash La Raza.
How do you like more Mexico meddling Mexican Consul Addresses Area Hispanic Community?
The KKK was always anti-immigration. They have their reasons. That doesn't mean there weren't always good reasons for limits on immigration and for keeping out those who wouldn't respect our laws and limits.
Yes I'm proud of the KKK if as you suggest they are spending their time promoting the concept of guarding the US borders instead of lynching blacks.
UK Citizen Needs US social security number?
yes i am proud
Of course I am proud. They support deporting illegal aliens, which take up jobs and increase crime. They support traditional moral values. They stand for rights of white Christians. They are not a hate organization, they are a political party now. I am seriously considering joining the national KKK, assuming I can convince my parents to let me. To join, you have to be 12, and I am 14. I am willing to do what I can for this great organization.
How are Mexican truckers tacking jobs from Americans when.?
That is just disgusting. What superiority do I have to a Hispanic just because my skin is lighter than his? Only a moron would believe that. *Thank God*, atheism will prevail in the West. Organizations like this never attract popular support because there aren't many gooses around. Nobody cares about false, hypocrite Christian values.
"Killing is bad but you may kill a Hispanic or a Black"
Yea, whatever.
If amnesty reform was passed today then?
Is this your way of advertising for the KKK,white power rock bands?Please give it up
well can not see you bleating on about all the members of the Anti White person brigade.and before you go and say who are they..Look at Malcolm X ,Rev Jessie Jackson...and every-ones dear friend President of Zimbabwe just to name a few.if you are going to pass comment make it a level playing field and not all one side.plus you are doing a good job of advertising for the KKK.
KKK= Kooky, know-nothing, Kreeps
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