The Ku Klux Klan is a militant terrorist organization that was formed in the southern United States in the late 1860s It was established by Confederate veterans and sought to maintain white supremacy and restore the subjugated status of white Americans in the wake of the Civil War. The Klan has a long history of violence, intimidation and racism.
The most iconic example of the Klan appearing in films, television, books and other media is the 1915 film, The Birth of a Nation. This silent epic drama was directed and co-produced by D.W. Griffith and was the first film to feature the burning cross ceremony of the KKK. The movie portrays the Klan as heroes and defenders of the South, sparking outrage and protests.
In the award-winning 1972 documentary, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, a 14-year-old black girl is forced to flee her home due to a threatening Klan march. The film brings to light the tension, fear and terror of living in racially segregated America.
Gone with the Wind (1939), a classic novel and movie set during the American Civil War, takes a more nuanced approach to the Klan by showing the complexities of the characters’ personal relationships with the white supremacist organization. The novel also focuses on the relationships between slaves and their owners in the South, prompting readers to think about the moral implications of racism.
The 1996 novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. This timeless classic tells the story of a young girl and her father, a lawyer, as they face racial hatred in the form of the KKK. This book not only provides an eye-opening look at the racism of the time, but it also shows how the power of courage, empathy and justice can conquer prejudice.
The 2003 western drama, Cold Mountain, follows a soldier’s journey home from the Civil War. Along the way, he faces the threat of the KKK, who terrorize the community and attempt to keep newly freed slaves in poverty and servitude.
The 2015 FX series, American Horror Story: Roanoke, includes a dramatic scene in which the characters confront a KKK mob in a forest. This moment shines a light on the terror and violence associated with the Klan and how these events shaped history.
These examples of films, books, television and other media explore the history of the Ku Klux Klan in a variety of ways. They highlight the bigotry and hatred that the organization represents, as well as the courage and strength needed to face it head on. By exploring the complex relationships between individuals in this era, these works challenge readers and viewers to think about how racism still affects our society today.