 |
| IBTimes.Co.Uk |
This article basically states the organization has been rebranded as 'Rocky Mountain Knights'.
Why would these previously disliked groups now join?
Bizarre...
Daily Mail November 10
Cited
The Ku Klux Klan opens its door to Jews, homosexuals and black people in bizarre recruitment drive
White supremacist group Ku Klux Klan is re-branding as 'the new Klan' Founder wants Jews, black people, gays and those of Hispanic origin to join
Rebranded 'Rocky Mountain Knights' claim to stand for 'a strong America'
New recruits will have to wear the white robes, masks and conical hats
Which self-respecting black or Jewish person would seriously wear these as part of an organization?
No one should be...
These should be abandoned.
Cited
It's a white supremacist organisation notorious for homophobic and racist violence, including the lynchings of black people.
But the Ku Klux Klan is now looking to diversify and increase its membership to include Jews, black people, homosexuals and those of Hispanic origin with a re-branding as 'the new Klan'.
All those wanting to join the extreme right-wing group will still have to wear the white robes, masks and conical hats and take part in rituals, according to founder John Abarr.
The rebranded organisation, called the Rocky Mountain Knights, claims to now stand for 'a strong America' rather than irrational hatred. 'White supremacy is the old Klan.
This is the new Klan. The KKK is for a strong America,' said Mr Abarr.
The move comes after the Klan organiser met with the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People. He said: 'I thought it was a really good organisation.
I don't feel we need to be separate.'
Cited
Bradley Jenkins, Imperial Wizard of the KKK, said: 'That man's going against everything the bylaws of the constitution of the KKK say. He's trying to hide behind the KKK to further his political career.'
The Klan is classified as a hate group by the anti-semitism organistion Anti-Defamation League and the civil rights law firm Southern Poverty Law Center. But some black people have apparently already expressed an interest in joining, after Mr Abarr organised a summit with civil rights groups.
This reads like part of the Ku Klux Klan, not all of the organization, has renamed itself Rocky Mountain Knights, for whatever reasons, known to that group.
I will leave analysis for below...
Southern Poverty Law Center
From Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an American civil rights organization
Cited
'The Ku Klux Klan, with its long history of violence, is the most infamous - and oldest - of American hate groups.
Although black Americans have typically been the Klan's primary target, it also has attacked Jews, immigrants, gays and lesbians and, until recently, Catholics. Over the years since it was formed in December 1865, the Klan has typically seen itself as a Christian organization, although in modern times Klan groups are motivated by a variety of theological and political ideologies.'
Cited
'Started during Reconstruction at the end of the Civil War, the Klan quickly mobilized as a vigilante group to intimidate Southern blacks - and any whites who would help them - and to prevent them from enjoying basic civil rights.'
Cited
'Lynchings, tar-and-featherings, rapes and other violent attacks on those challenging white supremacy became a hallmark of the Klan.'
Cited
'After a short but violent period, the "first era" Klan disbanded after Jim Crow laws secured the domination of Southern whites. But the Klan enjoyed a huge revival in the 1920s when it opposed (mainly Catholic and Jewish) immigration. By 1925, when its followers staged a huge Washington, D.C., march, the Klan had as many as 4 million members and, in some states, considerable political power. But a series of sex scandals, internal battles over power and newspaper exposés quickly reduced its influence.'
Cited
'The Klan arose a third time during the 1960s to oppose the civil rights movement and to preserve segregation in the face of unfavorable court rulings. The Klan's bombings, murders and other attacks took a great many lives...'
Cited
'Since the 1970s the Klan has been greatly weakened by internal conflicts, court cases, a seemingly endless series of splits and government infiltration. While some factions have preserved an openly racist and militant approach, others have tried to enter the mainstream, cloaking their racism as mere "civil rights for whites."
Today, the Center estimates that there are between 5,000 and 8,000 Klan members, split among dozens of different - and often warring - organizations that use the Klan name.'
The SPLC website appears to reasonably explain that some Klan factions have attempted to enter the mainstream of American and Western society under a cloak of civil rights.
A right-wing version of America.
However, being as racism is simply not Biblical as all persons are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and the election and salvation of persons in Christ in the New Testament is not made based on racial lines (Galatians 3, Colossians 3); the only wise, good and rational choice would be for a person, Christian or not, to avoid affiliation with any such group.
A group which claims to be culturally Christian, but is not Biblically Christian on central issues of race and also on issues of loving one's neighbour (Matthew 22, Mark 12) and loving other Christian believers (John 15).
There is also the failure to love one's enemy (Matthew 5).
I am not stating that non-whites, or non-European whites would actually be enemies of these white supremacists, but if these white supremacists and Klan members were actually Biblical Christians, perceived enemies following Matthew 5, should be loved.
 |
| Autumn United States |
