Tyler+Howard

= Tolerance with the Ku Klux Klan =

__Back in 1865, veterans from the Confederate Army created a secret society known as the Ku Klux Klan, or KKK__. Many people tolerated this because it was a strongly believed in group. As the people of the United States ignored the KKK, it grew bigger and more deadly. After many years, acts against certain races or religions were finally stopped and not tolerated anymore. T __he KKK were very racist and anti-Catholic. Even though many opposed the Ku Klux Klan, they tolerated it and passed by.__ This secret society was made up of regular townspeople. Throughout the time of the KKK, lots of people were killed. The KKK had a record of terrorism, violence, and lynching, but still no one did anything about it. __All throughout there time, the Ku Klux Klan had many rituals__. These consisted of lynching (hanging for alleged offense without fair trial), burning buildings, chants, and cross burning (a sign of intimidation). Cross burning was introduced by William J. Simmons, the founder of the 2nd Klan. From 1918 to 1927, 416 people were killed by lynch mobs. After so many deaths, people still ignored them. __In 1981, someone finally said something. In Alabama, a man named Michael Donald was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan, which started an investigation by the FBI__. Beulah Mae Donald, Michael’s mother, used this case to destroy the KKK and filed a civil suit against them. The United Klans of America were sued $7 million. They had to hand over all assets, including their national headquarters in Tuscaloosa. After this, the KKK cooled down, and instead based themselves on opposing court orders for desegregate schools, affirmative action, and more open immigration. Even though someone decided to stand up to them, unfortunately, scientists believe there are still 150 small groups in the KKK. Tolerance is a good thing to have, but sometimes it should not used in some cases. If someone would have stood up to the Ku Klux Klan sooner, many lives would have been saved. Murder of people just like you should not be allowed in a country of freedom and rights.