Over half a century after the Ku Klux Klan flourished in the United States lynching many African Americans, many might be surprised to know that the hate group is currently still fighting to promote aggressive racism and regain white power.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center there is an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 active members as of 2012.
Anthony Karen, a former Marine turned photojournalist, gained access to one of the most secretive, feared, and marginalized pockets of society in the world.
The members are split into local and national organizations like the Fraternal White Knights of Tennessee and the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He spent over 8 years documenting 14 organizations across the country.
He says that gaining admittance was extremely difficult, and because of this when he works he tries to become a nonjudgmental onlooker who accepts each person as they are.
He attended cross burnings, Unity barbecues, and even a traditional Klan wedding that was held at a civil war battleground site. This is what he saw:
This is a KKK “naturalization ceremony” for prospective members in Tennessee.
This is a sacred altar that is used to “naturalize” future members into the “Invisible Empire” of the KKK.
Cross lightings are also referred to as Cross burnings and many have perceived these as blatant threats to minority members of the community, though members claim it is meant to symbolize their faith in Christ.
A Klan Gathering in North Carolina.
Richard Bondira was a past Grand Wizard and Grand Blufustin of the KKK.
The Klan hosts meetings called “Klonvocations” or Unity barbecues. Here is an Imperial Wizard shopping with his wife before a spring Unity Barbeque.
A Klan Unity cookout.
Most Klan members join because they want to be part of an entirely white population that opposes illegal immigration and homosexuality.
The largest organization is called the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and is based in Harrison , Arkansas.
The director of the National Knights party, Thomas Robb, stands with his family.
Many families come to the Knight Parties’ annual congress, called the Faith and Freedom Conference, hosted on a Klan members’ property.
