It’s no secret that the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) among other alt-right and white nationalists endorse Trump. To many of us, this means something. This says that their morals align with Trump’s, that these groups approve of what he has to say. Everything that Trump says is either racist, illogical or just straight up mean and dehumanizing. Sounds about right? (Or should I say alt- right?)
Despite this, your president’s supporters agree that the hate groups endorsements should not reflect Mr. Trump and that it is simply not fair. In November 2016, Trump stated that he didn’t want to “energize the alt-right”. Since then, our country has experienced an uproar of racial hate at even higher volumes and he has a hard time disavowing the hate sincerely.
The Charlottesville KKK Rally occurred on August 11th- August 12th, 2017. On day two, we received Trump’s input via Twitter; where he stated that there was “violence on many sides.” Many were upset at this, being that he didn’t directly hold the organizers of the hateful and fatal rally responsible. But he, instead, blamed both the offenders and the victims.
After two days of backlash, Trump finally condemned Neo-Nazi’s, the KKK and other hate groups. The next day, August 15th, 2017, Mr. Trump returned to his original statement that blames both sides. “I watched those very closely. More closely than you people watched it. You had a group on one side that was bad, and a group on the other side that was very violent.” Republicans may use this statement to argue that Trump is, indeed, not racist; however, whether Trump stands by white nationalists or not, the KKK’s endorsement of him still matters.
The person running this country says things that imply that he is in fact, okay with hate. That there is nothing wrong with stereotyping and profiling people.
It’s obvious that ever since Trump was elected president by the electoral college, hate crimes have risen. Suddenly, hate groups feel more confident. They’re the most confident they’ve been in years. Why? Because the person running this country says things that imply that he is in fact, okay with hate. That there is nothing wrong with stereotyping and profiling people.
August 24th, 2017, U.S respondent Coredelia Lynch released an interview that she had with KKK leader; Thomas Robb who stated, “Look at those who voted for Donald Trump in 2016. I think our message is mainstream. We don’t promote hatred of anybody, everybody has the right to love their heritage.”
Billboard on the outskirts of Arkansas where Robb resides.
The Crusader is the official magazine of the KKK. In this issue, they endorse Donald Trump.
The Ku Klux Klan has a voice, and they get to raise it without consequence. When the KKK can riot through the streets and make national news for the first time in years as they wave their Confederate flags while dressed in their favorite #MAGA merchandise and nazi armbands, we have a problem. Pairing the Confederate Flag with the slogan “Make America Great Again” speaks volumes. Taking into consideration that the Confederates wanted to hold and cherish segregation and slavery. Trump gives white nationalists hope for a future that benefits them only, for a future that rebukes diversity, peace, and harmony. This is why it matters.
