The Power of Language: White Knights of the KKK
The KKK: Origin and Background
One of the most unforgettable notorious groups of America is the so-called Ku Klux Klan. They are said to have been formed in the late 18th century, in the midst when the Black slaves were able to win for their freedom. The leader of this group is named as Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was later considered as the Grand Wizard of the Empire. Later in January 1867, the Grand Wizard resigned from his being leader and so he was calling for the group to disband. Other members of the group remained despite the call of Forrest to disband that the violence actions towards the Blacks became prevalent. Primarily, the goals of the groups include their confiscation of the guns and other weapons from African Americans and to maintain the power of the White Americans in the government. KKK was actually found successful in their endeavors since from the small town in Tennessee, they were able to spread out to the different states of the US. The Klan was particularly effective in systematically keeping black men away from the polls, so that the ex-Confederates gained political control in many states (Infoplease).
Since the KKK first flourished during the 1860’s, throughout ever Klan across the US the “White Knights of the KKK” were considered to be most violent and aggressive KKK in history. They originated in the early 1960s in Mississippi, and were led by Samuel Bowers. When the White Knights of Mississippi were first formed in 1964, they had around 200 members, and within a year there members grew up to 6,000. The White Knights were responsible for many beatings, murders, church bombings, and burnings.
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As a hate group with dynamics that are actually aggressive in nature, KKK also placed great importance in the use of language as their way of keeping their group together as well as maintaining the attainment of its objectives. In this paper, we try to explore how this group was able to provide the very sense of power that language was able to provide to the group in the period of its existence.
Secretive and Mysterious Language
The main use of language in the Klan can be much more evident through its establishment of the name: Khu Khlux Klan. The word klux is actually taken from the Greek word kuklos (meaning “circle”).
There is an important consideration that with the reference of this word, language was also taken in reference.
The Klan is based known for their white robes as a way to hide their identities. The same applies as well in use of the group’s language. Members of the Klan share secret languages that only known to them. The white supremacist movement has its own secret language, symbols, and slogans (Hodapp & Kannon, 244).
As much as tattoos and graffiti should symbolize the group’s existence and sharing of messages, there are also languages of the written and spoken codes such as the RAHOWA (Racial Holy War), ORION (Our Race is Our Nation), WPWW (White Pride World Wide, also commonly used as a greeting between the white supremacist), KIGY (Klansman, I Greet You), AYAK (Are You A Klansman?), AKIA (A Klansman I Am), and many other codes that expresses their means of being able to keep the exclusivity of their team. These codes serve the purpose to be the means of the group to prove their identities and membership. The use of these words later in the modern Klan (1900’s) serve to be the Federal agents means of arresting them as the usage of the word would have to be related to the group’s association.
Empowered words
The Klan also used the White robes in order to pose an intimidation to the African Americans who happen to be Black. As much as this symbolic language imposes intimidation, the same manner did the use of the other written and spoken language as well. The words such as “Klonvocation” (gathering), “Kludd” (chaplain), and “Klaven” (group chapter) are designed to further incorporate the letter “K” and thus emphasize the distinctiveness of the group. Words such as these are actually strictly implemented to be used. It may then have to prove how the language rules are actually applied in the group.
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The organizational structure of the KKK White Knights also used their own names and official titles. Grand Wizard of the Empire is the name assigned to the Klan’s national leader and Genii is the term for the ten men who assist him. The Grand Dragon of the Realm presides over the state assigned to him called “realms.” Hydras is the name that assist him. Other names such as Goblins, night hawks, Grand Monks, Grand Giant of the Province, Grand Sentinel, etc. are also some of the names that are included.
Klan groups can also differ from one another in terms of religion and state location. Though the symbols and rituals may differ, most Klan groups share the same emphasis on the “14 Words” slogan (“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children”) that tends to define modern hard-core white supremacy in the United States (Lewy, et. al.).
Such words empower the Klan as well to continue their anti-immigrant advocacies. Modern Klans until today do not only include their intimidation to the African Americans but also those to Jews and Spaniards.
Conclusion
The invention of language is powerful in the ways that it provides dynamics in the given group. The Khu Klux Klan is just one of the many groups who can actually prove how the power of language can be evident in the way that it provides group unity through the sense of exclusivity that they feel within. The use of symbolic languages both verbal and nonverbal can in fact allow the group to intensify their sense of loyalty and commitment while they perform missions for its cause.
The use of language in accordance to rules has also empowered the Klan in the sense that it provides them the intimidation effect to others that does not belong to the group. Besides the fact that the group is exclusive of their own, their language empowered their implementation of their objectives and goals as a hate group.
References
Lewy, Glen S., et. al. Khu Klux Klan Rebounds. Anti-Defamation League, New York, NY 2007. Web, 7 March 2012
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Khu Klux Khan. THE KU KLUX KLAN: The Organization. Web, 7 March 2012. http://kukluxklan.net/
Infoplease. The First Ku Klux Klan. 2007. Web, 7 March 2012. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0859144.html
Hodapp, Christopher & Von Kannon, Alice. Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Ebook. Web, 7 March 2012.
