The KKK: 1890, 1970, and Today A few years ago, my mother told me something that gave me pause: We once lived on the same block as the leader of the local KU chapter Klux Klan. It had happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, around 1994. The Ku Klux Klan, according to Blaine Varney in Lynching in 1890, used to "...go out on nightly 'terrorist rides' to harass 'uppity negroes'... ". They are far more infamous, however, for their “lynchings” – nightly “terrorist runs” that included murder – of African Americans. Varney tells us that lynching levels peaked in 1892, with 161 murders recorded that year. In modern times, most Americans would agree that the Klan, along with any form of white supremacy, has no place in society, and emphasizing its survival is a good way to imply that we, as a people, are not yet perfect. The John Brown Anti-Klan Committee (JBAKC) is committed to fighting against the continued existence of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as the oppression and white supremacist doctrine it idolizes. JBAKC was founded in 1978, in part by one Lisa Roth; she and others formed the group after investigating the Klan's ties to New York State prisons. The New York Klan charter documents they found said it all: Every member of the New York State Klan was employed as a guard at New York's Napanoch Prison. Furthermore, the person who had incorporated the state chapter of the Klan was none other than the head of the local guard unit (Trodd 281). In Take a Stand Against the Klan, the JBAKC outlines its fight against the Ku Klux Klan and urges its readers to oppose white supremacy by supporting liberation struggles. As one might surmise from the name of the group, John Brown Anti- The Klan Committee is named after John Brown… the center of the card… the nation. And it certainly advises us to be vigilant against those who still claim superiority over people of color: There is clearly more racism than some Americans may be aware. The JBAKC's only minor flaw is perhaps that it becomes "too persuasive" in this piece. That is, if he were labeled “extremist,” it could detract from the information and its message. Furthermore, unfounded claims could debunk their message as incorrect to the general public. However, imperfections aside, one thing most Americans can agree on is that racism should be a thing of the past in our free society, and Take a Stand Against the Klan is an effective and effective call to action. ardent on this point. And if it fails to provoke action, at least its controversy stimulates thought: one way or another it brings us one step closer to ending white supremacy and oppression..