Katie Couric's Notebook: The Ku Klux Klan

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Is The KKK Back?

Hi, everyone.

As America remembers the historic march in Selma 42 years ago, there are concerns about another part of our country's racial history -- the Ku Klux Klan.

In a new report, the Anti-Defamation League says that the Klan is coming back. The ADL says it's found traces of the KKK in 19 states...with as many as five thousand members, who are fighting new issues like immigration and gay marriage.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author David J. Garrow isn't convinced. He notes that the Klan's gatherings have been small -- at some places, 20 people or less show up. And he says, so far, there's scant evidence of violent crimes linked to KKK members.

But history teaches us to be vigilant. We've been told again and again that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.

The Ku Klux Klan is one ugly chapter from our past that we should never forget -- or repeat.

That's a page from my notebook.

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by palosbill March 8, 2007 8:25 PM EST: So anyone against illegal immigration is a racist. Sounds like you get your information from La Raza(The Race). Sorry Katie but the overwhelming majority of American citizens want our borders secured from the endless stream of illegal aliens,drugs and gangs coming into this country from Mexico. I'd ask you to poll the public but we all saw how you twisted the outcome of the last poll you reported on. Why don't go to one of these border towns that the gangs and drug/human trafficers control and ask the American citizens how there life is going. Yea, I'll hold my breath. It's very easy for people like you sit in your safe little worlds and act like this problem can be brushed off by blaming it on the KKK. We The People are not the KKK we are American citizens that have had enough of media types like you, disgracful members of Congress that will sell this country for cheap labor or cheaper votes and special interest groups that have bought both. We're tired of no action and will overwhelm the polls in 2008 with a vengance. The Democrats, with your help, can push their twisted amnesty agenda all they want. They are in a rush to grant citizenship to these lawbreakers to secure a new voting base and they're fooling nobody. I predict that after the 2008 elections they will be back out of power and you'll be long gone from TV. Your rating are where they should be ... in the toilet.; Reply to this comment


by redstonesux March 8, 2007 2:11 AM EST: What kind of Chicken Littles fan fear about the Ku Klux Klan?

They long ago became a relic of the past and are completely powerless. Worrying about a dozen social misfits walking around in sheets is just silly.; Reply to this comment


by dan2098 March 6, 2007 2:13 AM EST: "We've been told again and again that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."

Agreed. And I don't think anyone is forgetting. Dr. King's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday, and we devote an entire month to Black History when we are reminded about how African Americans had to fight for equality. These things serve as nice reminders to us all.; Reply to this comment


by srs4453 March 6, 2007 2:05 AM EST: wow, the only greater threat than the kkk is liberalism.; Reply to this comment


by ceric-22 March 6, 2007 1:37 AM EST: Accentuate the Postive Kate, please and do T.M. twice a day, and also read the book, the new old one at, www.cafepress.com/lecc66
Did I tell you the KKK here wear grey felt hats, similar to Masons, and very long hair? They not only stole my lap top in 2006, but my digital camera, my car 2004, even a contract, www.readleadbooks.com/sketches.html
and my wallet 5 times since well, 7 times if you count 2002. Ziegenmueller, did it first with her bikie chums, and showed again in 2003. Why is she Head of the FBI, Mueller?
the KKK is chasing Kate. Please forgive me and tell me you aren't mad at me still?
I'll vene marry you!; Reply to this comment


by billzor March 6, 2007 1:18 AM EST: It is unconscionable that the KKK is still operating at all. After the civil war, and the Emancipation Proclamation, the KKK surfaced as a replacement for the militias that had terrorized blacks in the south for decades. The only difference was that they hid behind white hooded costumes. They continued their reign of terror, and effectively re-instituted slavery by force for some time. It is an insult to allow such a group to propogate it's distorted views in a day and age when we should be moving forward in the fight against discrimination, poverty and lack of opportunity for all people.; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 March 5, 2007 10:44 PM EST: Katie,

I think that since the tragedy of September 11th the threat of anti-government hate groups have been virtually forgotten by most Americans. The Timothy McVeigh's and Eric Rudolph's are still out there: they have likely just detached themselves from easily monitored groups (due to the successful infiltration by law enforcement) and have kept their activities in small, close-knit cells like the Oklahoma City cell.

The ADL has also reported on another phenomenon that has been downplayed by the U.S. government: racists in the military. Many have been trained the art of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, just as Timothy McVeigh was in Kuwait and Eric Rudolph was in the U.S. Army. When these racists come home will we see another McVeigh arise?

It will only take another unpopular government move to get these dangerous people to surface. Hopefully they will be stopped before the next Murrah Building attack.

But not if we act as if they don't exist.

Eric; Reply to this comment


by cbelster March 5, 2007 10:14 PM EST: Baseball is America%u2019s favorite pastime. And, Ted %u201CDouble Duty%u201D Radcliffe was considered one of the greatest.

Maybe these KKK members should consider re-channeling their hatred and bigotry. This country is, by definition, one of many colors.; Reply to this comment