The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) stands as a deeply entrenched symbol of hate in American history. Renowned for its extensive history of violence and intimidation, the KKK is the oldest and arguably most infamous hate group in the United States. While Black Americans have historically been the primary victims of the Klan’s terror, their hateful ideology extends to Jewish people, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
A History of Hate: Origins and Evolution of the KKK
To truly understand What Is The Kkk, it’s crucial to delve into its historical context. The KKK’s story is not a singular, unchanging narrative, but rather a series of iterations, each reflecting different periods of American social and political upheaval, all unified by a core of white supremacist ideology.
The First Klan: Post-Civil War Terror
The original Ku Klux Klan emerged in 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee, in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Founded by six Confederate veterans, the Klan initially presented itself as a social club, but quickly morphed into a vigilante organization dedicated to resisting the progress of Reconstruction and maintaining white supremacy. As Black Americans began to exercise their newly gained rights, particularly the right to vote, the Klan unleashed a campaign of terror to disenfranchise them and intimidate any white individuals who supported Reconstruction efforts.
Under the leadership of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Confederate general who served as the Klan’s first “grand wizard,” the KKK established a hierarchical structure with bizarre titles and rituals. Hooded robes, clandestine “night rides,” and the concept of an “invisible empire” contributed to the Klan’s mystique and amplified its terrifying reputation. During the 1868 presidential election, the Klan engaged in widespread violence and voter intimidation, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Black people across the South. Lynchings, tar-and-featherings, and other brutal attacks became hallmarks of this era of Klan terror.
However, this “first era” Klan was relatively short-lived. By the early 1870s, with the rise of Jim Crow laws that effectively institutionalized white supremacy, the need for the Klan’s overt violence seemed less pressing, and the organization largely disbanded. Yet, the legacy of the first Klan and the figures of the Confederacy were cemented in the “Cult of the Lost Cause,” ensuring that the ideology of white supremacy remained potent.
The Second Klan: 1920s Expansion and Decline
The KKK experienced a resurgence in 1915, revived by white Protestants near Atlanta, Georgia. This second iteration broadened its hate beyond Black Americans to include Catholic and Jewish immigrants, fueled by rising nativism and anxieties about changing demographics. Fear of communism and immigration further expanded the Klan’s appeal, extending its reach beyond the South into the Midwest, with Indiana becoming a significant stronghold.
By the mid-1920s, the KKK reached its peak membership, boasting as many as 4 million followers nationwide. In 1925, they staged a massive march in Washington, D.C., demonstrating their considerable political influence in some states. However, this period of prominence was short-lived. A series of sex scandals involving Klan leaders, internal power struggles, and critical newspaper exposés rapidly eroded the group’s public image and influence, leading to a sharp decline.
The Third Klan: Civil Rights Era Resistance
The 1960s witnessed the Klan’s third major resurgence, this time in violent opposition to the Civil Rights Movement. As the U.S. Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Earl Warren, issued landmark rulings in favor of civil rights, the Klan mobilized to preserve segregation through terror and intimidation. This era was marked by bombings, murders, and other acts of extreme violence. Tragic examples include the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young Black girls, and the 1964 murders of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner in Mississippi.
During the second and third Klan eras, millions of Black Americans migrated from the South to the North in the Great Migration, seeking economic opportunities and escaping the pervasive racial terror and violence perpetrated by groups like the KKK. This mass migration dramatically reshaped the demographics of the United States.
The Klan in the Modern Era: Fragmentation and Decline
Following the Vietnam War, figures like Louis Beam and David Duke emerged within the Klan, attempting to adapt the group’s ideology and tactics to contemporary times. Beam advocated for “leaderless resistance” and recognized the potential of technology for white supremacist organizing. Duke, who founded the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in 1975, emphasized antisemitism, further aligning the Klan with neo-Nazi ideologies.
However, the modern Klan has been significantly weakened by legal challenges, internal conflicts, and government infiltration. Lawsuits aimed at bankrupting Klan groups and shutting down their paramilitary training camps have been effective. Internal divisions and power struggles have led to numerous splinter groups, resulting in a fragmented and less organized Klan landscape. The Klan’s rigid traditions, outdated image, and association with overt racism have also hindered its ability to attract new members in the 21st century.
KKK Activities in 2023: Stagnation and Adaptation
Recent reports indicate that KKK activity remains at a low ebb, with a continued decline in active groups. While some chapters have attempted to revitalize themselves or adapt their strategies, the overall trend points toward stagnation.
Decline in Active Groups, but Some Revival
In 2023, the number of active KKK groups in the United States remained consistent with the previous year’s downturn, totaling around 10 active groups. While most iterations of the Klan continued to decline, some dormant groups have reactivated, and a couple of new groups have even emerged. However, these instances of revival have not reversed the overall trend of decline. Out of 11 active groups from the previous year, only eight sustained their operations.
Shifting Online Strategies and Recruitment
Modern Klan chapters are attempting to emulate more prominent white nationalist groups by shifting towards an online community model. This involves organizing meetups and focusing on online recruitment, a departure from the traditional Klaverns and Kingdoms structure. Furthermore, some Klansmen and chapters are moving away from fringe platforms like Stormfront and MeWe, opting instead to engage in public recruitment and commentary on mainstream platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This adaptation reflects an effort to establish a stronger online presence and reach a wider audience.
Flyer Distribution and Local Incidents
Flyer distribution, a traditional recruitment tactic, remained low for the Klan in 2023, with only 18 reported instances. Notably, the Trinity White Knights, a group dormant since 2015, accounted for the majority of these distributions. The decline in activity within the White Christian Brotherhood chapter, following the death of its leader, Bill Sandlin, also contributed to the overall low numbers. Isolated incidents, such as the arrest of Daniel Walls of the Old Glory Knights for distributing KKK flyers at Black churches in South Carolina, highlight the sporadic and localized nature of Klan activity today.
The Future of the KKK: Continued Decline or Resurgence?
Looking ahead, KKK activity is projected to remain stagnant or continue its decline in 2024. Several factors contribute to this outlook.
Factors Contributing to Decline
The Klan’s outdated image, internal divisions, and association with overt racism make it less appealing to potential recruits compared to more modern and rebranded white supremacist groups. Contemporary white nationalist movements, often employing more sophisticated propaganda and online organizing strategies, have largely overshadowed the Klan in terms of recruitment and influence.
Potential for Online Influence
While the Klan’s physical presence and public activities are diminishing, the trend of utilizing mainstream social media platforms like Facebook and X is likely to persist. This online presence, however limited, provides a potential avenue for spreading propaganda and attempting to recruit new members, albeit on a smaller scale than in previous eras.
Comparison to Broader White Supremacist Movements
Ultimately, the KKK’s future is likely one of continued marginalization. Contemporary white supremacist movements, often less overtly tied to the Klan’s historical baggage and embracing more modern tactics, will likely continue to dominate the landscape of organized hate in the United States. While the Klan may persist in fragmented and localized forms, its overall influence and reach are expected to remain limited.
Understanding the KKK: Key Terms and Glossary
To further understand what is the KKK, familiarity with its unique terminology is helpful. The Klan has developed its own lexicon, often using archaic or invented words to create a sense of mystique and exclusivity. Here are some key terms:
- AKIA: A password meaning “A Klansman I Am,” often seen on decals and bumper stickers.
- Alien: A person who does not belong to the Klan.
- AYAK?: A password meaning “Are You a Klansman?”
- CA BARK: A password meaning “Constantly Applied by All Real Klansmen.”
- CLASP: A password meaning “Clannish Loyalty a Sacred Principle.”
- Genii: The collective name for the national officers. Also known as the Kloncilium, or the advisory board to the Imperial Wizard.
- Hydras: The Real officers, with the exception of the Grand Dragon.
- Imperial Giant: Former Imperial Wizard.
- Imperial Wizard: The overall, or national, head of a Klan, which it sometimes compares to the president of the United States.
- Inner Circle: Small group of four or five members who plan and carry out “action.” Its members and activities are not disclosed to the general membership.
- Invisible Empire: A Ku Klux Klan’s overall geographical jurisdiction, which it compares to the United States, although chapters do not exist in every state.
- Kalendar: Klan calendar, which dates events from both the origin and its 1915 rebirth Anno Klan, and means “in the year of the Klan,” and is usually written “AK.”
- Kardinal Kullors: White, crimson, gold and black. Secondary Kullors are gray, green and blue. The Imperial Wizard’s Kullor is Skipper Blue.
- K.B.I.: Klan Bureau of Investigation.
- KIGY!: A password meaning “Klansman, I greet you!”
- Klankfraft: The practices and beliefs of the Klan.
- Klanton: The jurisdiction of a Klavern.
- Klavern: A local unit or club; also called “den.”
- Kleagle: An organizer whose main function is to recruit new members. In some Klans, he gets a percentage of the initiation fees.
- Klectokon: Initiation fee.
- Klepeer: Delegate elected to Imperial Klonvokation.
- Klonkave: Secret Klavern meeting.
- Klonverse: Province convention.
- Kloran: Official book of Klan rituals.
- Klorero: Realm convention.
- SAN BOG: A password meaning “Strangers Are Near, Be on Guard.”
- Terrors: The Exalted Cyclops’ officers.
In conclusion, what is the KKK is a question that necessitates understanding its long and violent history, its various transformations, and its current diminished but persistent presence. While the Ku Klux Klan may no longer wield the power and influence it once did, it remains a potent symbol of hate and a reminder of the ongoing struggle against white supremacy and bigotry in America. Its legacy serves as a cautionary tale and underscores the importance of vigilance against all forms of hate and extremism.
