Barack Obama is a figure of great importance in American history. He's the first African American to be president of the United States of America. However, Obama as president may have unforeseen consequences that few people are talking about; one of the most important is the potential resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.
A History of the Racism
The Klan, one of America's most famous and oldest white supremacist groups, has had a roller coaster of a history. Found in Pulaski, Tennessee by six white southerners who wanted to harass emancipated slaves, and was led by Nathan Bedford Forrest. However, while this Klan was likely the most outwardly violent, it was to be short-lived, as Ulysses S. Grant used federal power to extinguish them, though the Klan wouldn't stay down forever.
D.W. Griffin's The Birth of a Nation led to a rebirth of the Klan. His depiction of the Klan as “noble” knights of the South found mass appeal in a country that was not even two decades out of Plessey v. Ferguson.Racism was reforming (or, as the case may be, simply resurfacing) and this time, it wasn't limited to African Americans. Jews, Catholics, homosexuals, and nearly every non-white protestant group were persecuted by the Klan, who numbered in the millions by the 1920's. This is the Klan that is typically depicted in Hollywood. Their influence lay both in politics and in business, and the power of Jim Crow was dramatically increased during this period. Unfortunately for the KKK (and ironically), it would be Hitler that led to their downfall. During World War II, the United States was interested in unity, not hate. Also, in the aftermath of the war, the world at large saw the horrors of hatred, and the Klan's message of hate lost much credibility. This was to be the second fall of the Klan.
However, the Klan exists today, albeit much weakened. Now numbering a scant few thousand, the “glory” days are over…for now. The Klan has been waiting for a new opportunity to exercise their influence in the United States and gain large numbers. Essentially, the Klan has been waiting for Barack Obama.
The Klan and the Kommander
The Klan's history of birth and rebirth is based upon the national feeling of hatred. In the aftermath of the Civil War, tensions were high; tension between the federal and state governments, north and south, industry and agriculture. The south was frustrated in all respects, and blacks proved to be a widely available scapegoat, and source of much hatred by the numerous racists in the south. Likewise, financial woe in the south and the release of Griffin's film served to refresh the southern rage and lead to the new Klan in the 1910's. The KKK would continue to resurge and decline, becoming particularly strong during the Civil Rights Movement. To put it simply, the Klan reforms each time hatred can be incited. After the Civil War, it was easy to blame blacks, just as it was easy to blame immigrants and other religions during the 20's and civil rights in the 60's. The Klan is continually looking for new sources of hatred, and Obama is an easy provider.
After the election, many Republicans and Independents will be disappointed, even to the point of hatred in this age of partisanship. This hatred can be easily exploited by the Klan, who will likely be in heavy recruitment after Obama is elected, and these angry voters will be there to answer the call. This time, the targets won't be nearly as broad. Africans and Jews, the old standard of hatred, will likely be targeted, but Democrats will also be in the line of fire. The Klan will be louder, with the power of the internet, and they will be in your face.
We will see a Klan more ready for terrorism than in the past, and we may very well see racial issues explode into political issues. The worry over Obama's safety is likely exaggerated, however; the Klan has never been very efficient with assassinations and is often too cowardly to take on even senators, let alone the president of the United States. The Klan will attack the president indirectly, through smears and by attacking the base; using fear.
We must be prepared to fight the Klan now that Obama is elected. We must not let the voice of the people be silenced by fear and by the terrorists of America. If we can fight terrorism abroad, we can fight it at home. I caution those conservatives out there to keep their disappointment in the political boundary; don't let it spill over to hate. To America is a whole, unity will be necessary to overcome those who put their agenda over the country. Let's let hope live on, and only hold down hatred.
