EDITORIAL: KKK’s Picking Up Steam – That’s a Problem
Cassell
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
Many of you have either seen the footage or heard the report of the individuals who wore KKK “costumes” for what they considered Halloween fun. It that wasn’t enough to alert many of us, one leader of an Iowa Ku Klux Klan sect took advantage of the media attention to spew his “racialist” views on local news television. Some of you may be thinking, “This is not the norm in today’s society.” Others of you might be thinking, “The Klan and other supremacist groups are alive and picking up renewed steam in many towns across America.” I would say, though troubling, the latter is true. Let’s explore why this is problematic.
First of all, the cowardly, covered Klan was established on ignorance and brutality and continues this violent path of destruction today. Unlike their emboldened hate-filled displays of the early days, the Klan operates in relative obscurity today. However, there have been documented acts of violence perpetuated against minorities that go without resolution due to lack of eye witnesses, evidence, or individuals willing to step forward. These issues are not discussed in any public discourse. For this very reason I would blow the horn of concern. If any violence or terror-producing organization is allowed to operate; even in relative obscurity, they should be brought to the public square and either endorsed or discredited based on facts.
In the case of the Halloween “costumes” these are individuals who demonstrated their first amendment right to “freedom of speech” which is indisputable. The right to assemble is a guaranteed right, but intelligence or, in this case, ignorance has to be argued. How can anyone not understand the difference between having good, clean fun versus doing something so insensitive and potentially terror-invoking? There are quite a few historical “characters” these jesters could have dressed up as, and many who turned a blind eye to the Klan costumes would have been outraged. So, why weren’t more of us outraged?
For the outraged, you have a role to play. As citizens, we offer the “checks and balances” of society. How should we operate? Who will stand in opposition and ridicule of hate mongering? Who will say, “This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated?”
We must challenge the ignorance and actions of these individuals and groups with common sense and consistent dialogue that will expose them for what they are; hate-filled and terror-producing organizations. Each of us has a moral obligation to stand against the affiliation and promotion of this type of propaganda, and the recent Halloween performance gives us the perfect platform on which to begin.
The choice to do right or wrong is determined from moment to moment. The choice you make this very moment will impact the very next moment.
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