Episode #11

Hate in America, Part 1:

The History of the Ku Klux Klan

It's interesting to know that in 2018, there was a 50% increase in the number of hate groups in America. Currently, the Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking more than 1000 hate groups, so hate is certainly not a thing of the past. In fact, it has actually increased in recent years. So, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to the history of hate in America and why we are seeing the current resurgence.

Today, we're doing the first of two episodes on the topic. We will be taking a look at the history of hate through the lens of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) - America’s first terrorist organization. It's very important for us to understand how it happened in the past, and also to understand what might be happening now.

Most of us tend to associate the KKK, one of America's original hate groups, with violence, hoods, and burning crosses, and we tend not to think about them hating different religions, especially Catholics. Tune into this episode of Dear White Women, to find out about the history of the KKK - where it started, and how it came to be.

Show Highlights:

The three periods of significant strength for the KKK in American history.
The event that marked the start of the KKK in 1865.
Why it's very important to understand how the KKK came into being the very first time around.
Hate is the opposite of thriving, yet it can still create a sense of meaning for some people.
The KKK originally started out with the idea of scaring people, not harming them.
The history around the political situation that the KKK was initially fighting against.
Who the Scalawags and the Carpetbaggers really were, and how they were used in an attempt to influence Southern politics.
What caused the KKK to turn violent.
What happened during the period of Reconstruction, immediately after the Civil War.
The period of Reconstruction was actually a time of re-enslavement of black people.
Why the dominance of the KKK came to an end after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1871.
Hate organizations don't always hate what they're known for.
What hate is really about - so you can see it for what it is.
We really need to connect with people in a more holistic way, particularly around issues of fear, hurt and anger. People need to know that they are seen and heard.