Racism-Klu Klux Klan in modern America
In New York, on October 24, 1999, eighteen Klu Klux Klan members were protesting in lower Manhattan wearing the white hood but it had no mask. This was obviously a very controversial action because the Klu Klux Klan is so offensive to people of all races, sexes and religions that no one could bare to see this symbol of racism standing in New York. The police formed a barracade around the men but it was broken through by a group of people and some of the members were punched and beaten until the police could remove them from the area. I found this amazing in modern day America because of the controversy of the KKK and its existence and to just openly admit to being a member in New York, one of the most crowded places on earth, and to show all these people that you belong to a group that literally symbolizes racism is astonishing. I’m not sure if the men who were wearing the hoods planned on offending people as well as trying to petition whatever their issue was or just solidly picking one. “Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani praises police for peacefully containing situation; constitutional melodrama that preceded event, over Klan members’ intention to wear masks, stretched from City Hall to United States Supreme Court” (Newyorktimes.com http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50B11F73D5C0C778EDDA90994D1494D81). This is something that I never thought would happen on the crowded streets of New York especially because of the racial issues that it brings up. The consitutional issues that it raises are also very heavy duty and had to be brought to the Supreme Court which obviously signifies the severity of the situation.
