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I always hear from my family and older folks that the KKK started out by going after deadbeat dads, men who did not take care of their childeren and so on? Before all the racist crap is this true? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 days ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world

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[–] ExperiencedWinter@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Might be time to start doing your own research and stop trusting what people tell you. That's pretty clearly a lie, I bet you've also been told a lot of other lost cause propaganda.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged in the aftermath of the American Civil War, specifically in 1866 in Pulaski, Tennessee, as a reaction to the Reconstruction policies aimed at integrating formerly enslaved African Americans into society. Originally founded as a fraternal organization for white male Protestants, the Klan promoted white supremacy and resistance against federal efforts to ensure civil rights for African Americans. The group's early activities included establishing rituals and violent tactics that became synonymous with the Klan's identity, such as wearing white robes and engaging in nighttime terror against Black communities.

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/birth-ku-klux-klan

[–] Mirshe@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Also, even if they DID start out that way...well, what they've done in the intervening years is unforgivable enough to brand them as racist hate mongering murderers.

[–] ExperiencedWinter@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

It's not worth trying to rationalize lost cause talking points. The entire idea is based on racism. The kkk were a group going around murdering people. The idea that somehow going after the "right" people would change your opinion of them is ridiculous and also racist.