The Ku Klux Klan (also known as the KKK) is a white supremacist and extremist hate group that originated in the United States. Formed initially in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1865, following the end of the American Civil War, the Klan has a long and notorious history tied to racial discrimination, violence, and intimidation.
The ideology of the Ku Klux Klan centers around promoting and preserving white supremacy, nationalism, and xenophobia. Historically, their primary targets have been African Americans, seeking to enforce racial segregation and prevent African Americans from exercising their legal rights, such as voting or obtaining education. The Klan carries out its malicious actions through various means, including cross burnings, bombings, physical assaults, and acts of intimidation aimed at instilling fear within marginalized communities.
The Klan's identifying features include white robes, hoods, and masks, primarily designed to conceal their identities and evoke a sense of terror. Historically, they have often utilized symbolism associated with racial terror, such as burning crosses. While a period of decline was witnessed in the mid-20th century, the Klan experienced some resurgence during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Currently, the Klan maintains a fragmented presence, with numerous factions existing across the United States.
It is important to note that the Ku Klux Klan's ideologies and actions are widely condemned by governments, civil rights organizations, and society at large, as they represent a threat to democracy, equality, and human rights.
