Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

	Well, the KKK seems to pop up everywhere. They are a group to watch out
for, that's for sure. I often wonder just how many of them could be in
government (and how high up) or even in our own workforce here at DEC. It's a 
scary thought regardless.



Glen

    The impression I get from news reports is that whenever the KKK holds a
    rally, they are vastly outnumbered by counter-demonstrators.  So
    perhaps you can expect that to happen in Colorado Springs as well. 

    The negative reputation of the KKK may be fairly strong among most
    Americans of all political stripes now, but it wasn't always that way. 
    I used to live in Indianapolis, and apparently at one time (maybe the
    1920s, but I'm not exactly sure) it was actually fairly powerful (which
    shows that its power base was not restricted to the South.)  I wish I
    could remember the details, but something happened--a murder case,
    perhaps--that involved the KKK, which eliminated it as a significant
    organization in the city or the state.  I have also heard that the
    racial distribution of the population in that city to this day reflects
    overt segregration imposed by the KKK-influenced local government back
    in those days.  Elsewhere in the state, at least when I was growing up,
    Martinsville, a small town about a half-hour drive southwest of
    Indianapolis, had a negative reputation as being a KKK stronghold.  I
    lived in a small town that had a much more progressive image (at least
    it liked to think of itself as progressive); in any case, when I was in
    high school, the KKK held a rally in my own home town of Columbus, and
    several of my classmates organized a counter-rally that attracted a
    much larger number of people.

    -- Mike

	The KKK has long been big in Indiana. About 20 years ago in Indiana
	I ran into my first real experiance with racial discrimination. A gas
	station attendant suggested that there was a river near by where we
	(I was in one of several groups of bicycle riders) could dump the bodies
	of the blacks in the other group. Shocked the heck out of me. At 15 I'd
	never heard such talk before.

	Anyway as to a rally in Colorado. I've long been of the opinion that
	having counter demonstrations just encourages the KKK. The attention
	and media coverage tells a lot of potential recruits that there is a
	racist organization out there for them. And that it's powerful. Because,
	after all, no one protests the powerless.

			Alfred

    RE: .3  Alfred,
    
    		I agree Alfred....ignore them and they will fade away. But
    what a hateful group they are.  They got kicked out of this part of
    West Texas *LONG* ago.  The black cowboys took offense!  :-)  I love
    it!
    
    
    Dave

    I've done a couple of papers on the religious basis of hate groups like
    the KKK and have been fascinated by what I've found.
    
    The original Klan, of course, was founded after the Civil War.  Susan
    Davis, daughter of one of the original founders, writes a history of
    the Klan (I'll check out the bibliographical information and post it
    later for those who are interested) and comments about the Jewish
    doctor who provided horses and feed for the Klan as well as the
    Catholic priest who became chaplain to the order.  I was curious to
    understand how both Jews and Catholics later became such targets
    themselves of the Klan and yet were embraced as members in the 1860's.
    
    What I found was that the Klan died out towards the latter part of the
    19th century as the nation tried to heal it's wounds.  It wasn't until
    the Great Immigration of the early part of the 20th century when
    Eastern and Southern Europeans entered the country in such numbers that
    the Klan was revitalized.  Americanism and flag-waving was at an
    all-time high.  The Fundamentalist movement in America was also finding
    a firm footing in the soil of change.  As the world stood at the brink
    of the first World War, many found sanctuary in clinging to the old
    guard and to the traditional ways.  This meant rallying with "their own
    kind" and putting down those who were different or appeared to be a
    threat to their way of life. 
    
    The movie "Birth of a Nation" was released at this time and fueled the
    fires.  The newly formed NAACP fought the movie's release, but the
    author of the book ("The Clansman") on which it was based was a friend
    and college-mate of the President's.  He arranged for a showing of the
    film at the White House and the President was impressed with both the
    technology of the film making and the truth that it told.  (Again, I'll
    post the source of this comment tomorrow.  It's from a book called "The
    Fiery Cross" by ... Wade, I think.)
    
    My theory is that the Klan (and it's splinter groups - other racist
    hate groups) find their strength in times and areas of depression,
    poverty and threatening change.  That is not to give them license to
    continue, but rather give those of us that watch the realization that
    we can do more than not get involved.  We can work to change the
    climate so that weeds like the KKK cannot grow.
    
    I've gotten windy here, and I want to get to another topic before I
    need to get back to work.  I'll look up my sources tonight and post
    them here tomorrow.  
    
    
    
    Sue
      

    That's interesting information, Sue, and not a bit too windy.  Thanks
    for posting that information.
    
    -- Mike

    
    I finally dug out the bibliography from my paper.  Here are some of
    the books I used:
    
    Davis, Susan Lawrence, Authentic History Ku Klux Klan 1865-1877. New
                           ----------------------------------------
    
    York: American Library Press, 1924. 


    Dixon, Thomas Jr. The Clansman. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1905. 
                      ------------

    
    Marsden, George M., Fundamentalism and American Culture. United
                        -----------------------------------
    
    States: Oxford University Press, 1980. 


    Mecklin, John Moffatt, The Ku Klux Klan: A Study of the American Mind.
                           ----------------------------------------------
    
    New York: Russell & Russell, 1924. 

    
    Shepherd, William G., "How I put Over the Klan", Collier's The
    National Weekly, 14 July 1928, pp. 5-33; 21 July 1928, pp. 8-39; 28
    July 1928 pp. 8-49. 

    
    Wade, Wyn Craig, The Fiery Cross The Ku Klux Klan in America. New
                     -------------------------------------------
    York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1987. 
    

    Wow!! The Klan rally in Colorado Springs sounds like fun (huh).  As I
    Christian, I find it very difficult to love this particular set of my
    earthly brothers because you see I am Black, an African-American, a
    Negro or whatever you feel comfortable with.  But Jesus said in
    addressing the Pharisees when they asked him what the greatest
    commandment was " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
    all your soul and with all your mind...' the second is like it: 'Love
    your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these
    two commandments."( Matthew 22:37-40).  So according to the word, as a
    Christian I must love them even if they hate me.  
    
    I have seen Klansmen up close and personal as a native of Alabama and a
    resident of Atlanta, Georgia for the last 12 years.  My most recent
    brush was a non-violent march in Cumming, Georgia where a friend of my
    (who is also black and also works at DEC in Alpharetta) was seriously
    injured and almost lost his life.  Although this happened a couple of
    years ago, I still remember the ugly taunts and jeers, being pelted
    with rocks and spit at.  It was very ugly and yet a lot of the Klan
    organizations actually claim to be founded upon "Christian" values and
    rules.  Most of the individual klaverns (local Klan unit) have an
    office called the Klud(sp.).  The Klud functions as a chaplain, leading 
    prayers and giving inspirational speeches, etc.  Now, I just don't
    understand how someone who claims to love the Lord like I do can be so
    hateful and venemous and then live with themselves.  Not only do they
    take scripture and pervert it to serve their purpose, they desecrate
    one of the most important symbols of Christianity.  
    
    My Jesus was beaten, scorned, denied, and publicly humiliated as he  
    carried the cross up the hill and then the Romans crucified him on the
    same cross.  But his death on the cross and resurrection was my saving
    grace so how dare they take and burn a cross and have the nerve to sing
    songs like "Onward Christian soldiers" etc.  Help me to understand how
    they can hate people that look different from them just because they
    are different yet still call themselves Christians. I wish I could fly out for
    the rally because I would surely be a counter-demonstrator and I would
    walk up to one of the hooded wonders and ask them to show me in the
    Bible, where they get their doctrine of hatred and white supremacy
    from...
    
    
    Amen, amen, and amen
    
    Vernon
          
    
    
    of African heritage) 

First of all, welcome to CHRISTIAN-PERSPECTIVE, Vernon .9!

I will probably stay away from the KKK rally.  Too many times I've
observed how such hate groups seem to feed on the hatred directed
towards them.  I believe I can actually diminish their power by not
showing up.

At the same time, I believe that taking part in a geographically-detached
program which focuses on valuing diversity will strengthen my resolve
to work to create an environment where mutual respect, understanding,
and cooperation may thrive and, in time, choke out the weeds of intolerance.

It is my understanding that a number of "alternative" events are being
planned locally.

Peace,
Richard

I heard on the local TV news the other night that the KKK was trying
to acquire some land in the vicinity for (are you ready for this?)
"private cross burnings"!!

\8-{

Richard

.10> I will probably stay away from the KKK rally.  Too many times I've
.10> observed how such hate groups seem to feed on the hatred directed
.10> towards them.  I believe I can actually diminish their power by not
.10> showing up.

Yes, indeed ... it's along the lines of "what if they gave a war and no
one came".

One of *the* most distressing things that I've ever seen was the Klan
rally that was held (I *think* in Colorado) ... the Klan was trying to
project a "new image" and they were peaceable .. etc ....

Those who caused the trouble were the on-lookers!  They were throwing
rocks, debris, yelling names, etc ... the Klan came off looking like
a bunch of choir boys and the on-lookers *contributed* to the Klan
looking better than ever!!!

I suggest (1) stay away or if you go (2) don't contribute to reverse
hatred.  Hatred is hatred, any way you cut it.  It's wrong, any way
you cut it.

Bubba

	Tomorrow's the day.  The KKK will hold their rally in downtown
Colorado Springs.

	Weather permitting and if my pager doesn't go off, the family
and I plan to attend a "diversity concert" at a city park featuring rap,
reggae, and a rich variety of other music which we could not enjoy without
our great cultural multiplicity.

	I pray that the KKK's rally fizzles horribly.  At the same time
I pray that no harm comes to any one of them.  And I pray that the God
of *inclusive* love visits the heart of each Klansman and ignites the
love for God and neighbor *inclusively*.

Peace,
Richard

    I share your prayer, Richard.
    
    Karen

    
    What happened, Richard?  
    
    	CuriousDarch
    

Well, wouldntcha know it?  It rained!  We stayed home and watched a
couple of movies.

The KKK rally was attended by about 40 people, mostly out-of-towners,
so I hear.

300 counter-demonstrators showed up to boo and jeer, and perhaps to do
worse if possible.  Police security measures were very tight.  A large
buffer zone was created and anyone desiring to set foot in the area where
the Klan was actually gathered had to submit to a body search and be
approved by a Klan representative.

The only incident occured when the rally was breaking up.  One person
(Not with the KKK) was arrested.

There were many other events which drew a lot of people.  Wish the 300
had taken one of them in, instead of drawing more attention and free
publicity to the KKK than they deserve.

Thanks fer askin', Deb!

Peace,
Richard

    Some comments by others may be found in Topic 1614 in COMET::COLORADO,
    or add to your notebook by pressing kp7.
    
    Richard
    

                        * For Internal Use Only *

    Stories from CLARInet may not be redistributed to non-Digital
    employees.

From: [email protected] (UPI)
Subject: KKK cross may be displayed on Fountain Square during holidays
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 92 6:06:24 PST

	CINCINNATI (UPI) -- The Ku Klux Klan apparently will be allowed to put
a 10-foot cross on Fountain Square in the downtown area this holiday
season.
	Cincinnati Solicitor Fay Dupuis recommended Monday that the KKK be
allowed to place the cross on the square between Dec. 20 and Dec. 30.
	The Hamilton chapter of the Klan sought a permit Nov. 25, a few
months after U.S. District Judge Carl Rubion ruled that requiring some
permit holders to take down displays between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. was a
violation of free speech.
	Rabbi Shalom Kalmanson had challenged the city prohibition saying it
was designed to stop displays of a Menorah during Hanukkah and the KKK
cross.
	``Under the current status of the court ruling, you must issue a
permit (to the KKK) ... as long as space is available on Fountain Square
(and) the public health, safety and welfare issues can be resolved,''
Dupuis wrote to Public Works Director George Rowe.
	Rowe says he expects to approve the permit but first would meet with
city safety officials to determine if any problems can be expected.
	Safety Director William Gustavson said he was confident police will
devise an adequate safety plan.
	City councilman Tyrone Yates, objecting to the solicitor's ruling,
said he would push for an injunction if a permit is issued.
	``There ought to be a public rationale for excluding the KKK from a
central, public space like Fountain Square,'' he said.

	"We're separatists, not supremacists.  We want to be separate
	from blacks and gays.  That doesn't mean we think we're better."

					- Roger Kelly, KKK leader for the
					  eight state region of Maryland,
					  Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia,
					  New York, South Dakota, Pennsylvania,
					  and North Carolina