Ku Klux Klan Essays (2430 words) - Reconstruction Era,

Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan Over the years many people havecreated groups to support their beliefs. These groups allow people with the same ideas to gather together and work out plans to advance their ideas. All of the groups that have been established have not necessarily gained a positive image from the public. One example is the Ku Klux Klan. The Ku Klux Klan originated over one hundred years ago and has gone through many eras and changes since its beginning. Although many people know the Ku Klux Klan exists, they do not understand its purpose or how it has changed throughout its life. After the Civil War ended, the Southern states went through a time known as Reconstruction. Ex-Confederate soldiers had returned home now, and they were still upset about the outcome of the war. It is at this point in time that the Ku Klux Klan became a part of everyday life for many Southerners. In the beginning the Ku Klux Klan was started to be a way for people who had the same views to spend time together. The original members meant of the Ku Klux Klan to be a "hilarious social club" that would be full of aimless fun (Invisible Empire, p.9), though in later years the Ku Klux Klan became known for their violence against people outside the white race and people who associated with them. Contrary to what most people believe, the Ku Klux Klan was started because of a few people wanted to have some innocent fun, not because they were intending to start a chain of violence on anyone outside the white race.(The Klan, p.2) The Ku Klux Klan began in Pulaski, Tennessee, a small town south of Nashville. On the night of December 24, 1865 six ex-confederate soldiers were sitting around a fireplace it the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones.(Invisible Empire, p.9) These six friends were having a discussion and were trying to come up with an idea to cheer themselves up. One of the men suggested that they should start a club and the rest of the men agreed with the idea. After discussing the mew idea, the men decided to meet again and retired for the night. The second meeting was again at Judge Thomas M. Jones' law office and was attended by the same six men. During this meeting the group decided it need a name. After many hours of deliberating they decided on the name derived from the Greek word kuklos, meaning circle Ku Klux.("Intro. to the Knights of the KKK", p.2) The group later added "Klan" to the word to make the phrase complete. At this time the group decided what to call the different ranks of the members, starting with the leader, the Grand Cyclops, all the way down to the ghouls, or members of no rank. When the men had finished organizing, they were overjoyed about their group, and they decided to show everyone their creation. The members wrapped themselves and their horses in sheet and rode through the small town and terrified everyone, especially Negroes. No doubt, this is the harmless little club that later would be taken to extremes by its members. Admittedly, the Ku Klux Klan did become out of control in later years, but when it was first created it had no specific meaning; it was a way just to have fun. After the members saw the effect the group's appearance had on people, they began to use the results to their advantage. Because the Klan resembled ghost, many of the citizens of Pulaski believed them to be dead soldiers of the Confederate Army when they saw them riding on their horses through the small town. While Negroes were busy avoiding the Ku Klux Klan, its purpose changed. The Ku Klux Klan began aiming its violent actions toward Negroes, Jews, Orientals, and various other members of society that did not belong to the white race. Although violence was already occurring against non-whites before the organization of the Ku Klux Klan, the Klan used this fact as a way to keep their "enemies" under control. No one denies that the Ku Klux Klan became a brutal force over the years, but the fact remains that violence was not the reason the group was founded. It is true that all groups and club must go through changes, but many changes of the changes which the Ku Klux Klan endured were not necessarily the best for everyone. Shortly after the Ku Klux Klan's first ride, its members began to cause a major impact on society. Many

Once upon a time, there was a girl

Once upon a time, there was a girl. She led what seemed to be a great life. She had a nice home, lots of friends, and happiness. Deep down, this girl was not so happy. She did not feel that her friends were true, and at times, her nice home was not so nice. Now maybe she was being ungrateful, or maybe she only longed for a true friend, but she was not happy. Over a short time, she found a friend in a very unlikely place. You see, her friend was an orange leprechaun. Many people ridiculed her for becoming friends with someone of another kind, but she felt it was true. She didn't talk much about her friend and tried her hardest to put an end to the rumors. People wanted to make her accept her own kind and be friends with only her own She stayed close to her new friend and decided that someday they wouldn't have to hide their friendship. She couldn't wait for this day. She felt that everyone deserved the type of friend He promised to always be true and did his best to help her with problems. For this, she loved him. She loves his friendship; she loved his ways. In a way, this made her sad. She felt that she didn't have anything to offer him because he was from a better kind. For a long time, she believe things wouldn't work out, but They often talked about life's experiences. She told him what she knew, and he told her about his many great adventures. You see, he was an orange leprechaun, and orange leprechauns experienced more than her kind. He told her of the many things he had done and seen. He also helped her to understand and enjoy the best things in life. She greatly enjoyed hearing all he had One day, there was a problem. The Ruler of the Skies had found out about the mixing of the two kinds. The ruler demanded it stop at once. In her heart, she foolishly believed that her orange leprechaun would carry our his pro