The KU KLUX KLAN

Someone once said whether its good press or bad press there both good press. I think for the KKK it was a different story. The KKK was a fraternity that shared "american values" although it didnt quite outlive a decade. They participated in marches,rally's, and all different gatherings in hopes to expand there name nationwide. What the KKK didn't know is that they wouldnt have the backing and support of the fourth estate like they wished. For anyone who knows journalism, you always want the fourth estate on your side to be successful.

The KKK began in Atlanta in the fall of 1915. William Joseph Simmons along with a dozen men gathered in a march that would soon be known as The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. They marched with the American flag whipping in the wind as a simmons led the men that night in Georgia. As the decade unfolded the klan experienced more support and grew bigger, but by the end of the decade the power they once had faded into history. Although the KKK got much attention this was not the firt sightings of the group. A group also known as the KKK exsisted in 1866 but only lasted a few years before they dissapeared. By 1924 the Klan had reached a number of 4 million members as well as being a profitable group at that. Simmons had at that time what would be called "marketing moguls"behind him in support. Their names were Edward Clark and Elizabeht Tyler. These two alone brought in around $30,000 a week for the KKK and promoted the group by using slogans like "100 percent americans", and "pure womanhood". Its clear now that their motive was to brainwash people into believing if they weren't apart of this movement they were helping demolish american values and participating in social reform.

The KKK at this time thought that they were ontop of the world and that they would only grow from here. What they didnt know is that Joseph Pulitzer had gotten wind of the reform and was ready to move in on them, full speed. "Ku Klux Klan Exposed!" was the name of Pulitzer's piece in The New York World. the article consisted of quotes such as " the KKK has become a vast enterprise, doing a thriving business in the systematic sale of race hatred, religous bigotry, and '100 percent' anti-Americanism". As I chime in I could not agree more with this statement. America is all about being equal and sharing equal rights and excepting everyone from every race,culture, and religion. Its crazy to me that one man thought his idea of this could be long lived. The New York World was such a successful magazine it held more than 2 million readers daily. I think its safe to say you did not want them putting negative press about you in their magazines. The articles focused on artwork to keep the readers attention and used eye popping questions to draw attention. As things began to get nasty betweent the klan and the World the paper went as far as contacting officials and making them go on record as either opposing or supporting the Klan.

The Pulitzer Prize was awarded to aritcles and efforts against the KKK but what was more rewarding to people was the positice efforts they had on communities. The New York World, Memphis Commercial Appeal, and Montgomery Advertiser where all winners of this satisfaction. Although earlier I said that any press is good press The World played a part in promoting the Klan yet at the same time stopped it from taking hold on the largest urban city, New York City. Without the support of the fourth estate to stop the movement of racism and hate, who knows what the KKK could have accomplished. It is important to realize that sometimes although we have a voice it is not always heard. Sometimes we need a little help from the media to get our ideas and thoughts across in a quick and positive way. I chose this chapter because its hard to remember that press and media werent always about celebrities and gossip. There are still journalists that exsist who use their resources and power for important world changing issues.

Streitmatter, Rodger. Mightier Than The Sword. Philidelphia, PA: Westview Press, 1997. Print

Pictures: Courtesy of the Library of Congress

As young girls we have dreams and aspire to become successful business, and career driven women. The days of becoming a “housewife” and catering to a man are forgotten and almost frowned upon. Imagine if you were never even considered for that CEO position at your job because of your gender. You were more qualified for the job than the male you were up against, but a woman as a boss? That could never happen. We as women tend to not recognize that going to college, getting jobs, and being successful was once not an option. I myself am even guilty of this. Are we wrong? Why should we think twice about these things when we live in a country where we have the freedom to do so? I am not insisting that we think of these things as privileges because now we can do the things that man were always aloud to. Maybe we should look at them as privileges because of the women that fought for us and took a stand for our freedom without even knowing us because they wanted their daughters to have a more privileged life than theirs.

When the Declaration of Independence was created it stated, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and WOMEN are created equal”. Now although it was stated in what would be the most powerful document in history it was not played out that way. Women continued to be ignored and played a role that consisted of getting married, birthing children every 2 years, and taking care of her husband. Women were not allowed to claim property, vote, or have custody of their children even though they would act as the sole parent to the child, devoting all of their time and life to them. Any decision making that took place in the family did not include women, because they were “incapable of serious thought”.  Pardon my language but that is complete bullshit and one of the most ignorant things to ever be said. Not only were women fighting against the dominant white male, but also the fourth estate. The media would play a huge role in holding women’s rights back and mocking their efforts to see justice. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton ( the mother of the revolution) held a convention in Seneca Falls, which would later be seen as what unfolded the beginning of the Women’s Rights Movement, the media tore it down as being “toxic”, “a mixture of outrage”, or labeled it as “Women’s wrong convention”. The media took every shot they could to bash the movement and feminists simply because they were scared of their power. They took digs as far as saying “feminist were abandoning their responsibilities in the home” Everyone against this movement was scared to see a shift in spheres that consisted of the man being important to society and the woman just being an object.  Later on Susan B Anthony would join Stanton’s effort in the movement. They were responsible for hosting meetings. Petition drives, and public lectures. Every year the two hosted a national convention that brought awareness to the movement. The more awareness the more outraged the media got. Women were being compared to “clowns in a circus”. To get around the fourth estate that was holding these women back and bashing their efforts, Stanton and Anthony started their own for of media by founding a newspaper called The Revolution. The Revolution consisted of women’s views on topics such as abortion, prostitution, and divorce. Later on Newspapers, magazines, and associations started to show support in women’s rights.  They might have been less radical or abrasive than The Revolution but they were still showing support. Living in a time where it was hard for women to travel to these meetings the media and these papers were crucial in spreading the word and drawing awareness. The media continued to bash feminists by using Anthony as a prime target. They attacked her appearance and compared her to a man. They started to add pictures in of women smoking and drinking and viewing them in a negative light.

Despite the backlash these women were seeing from the media their efforts had finally saw justice in the twentieth century when they reached national spotlight. In 1919 mainstream journalists recognized the Women’s Right Movement as a “major revolution”.

So easily we view the media as just a way to receive gossip on current events and don’t recognize the power it has on us. Media is single handedly one of the most powerful resources we as individuals have.  It at times can control us, persuade us, and impact our thoughts and beliefs. There is no doubt that if Stanton and Anthony had the support of the media women would have seen their rights much earlier in history. So why is all this important to me? It’s important to me because it allows me to have a voice. It reminds me that something we take for granted everyday was once something that was fought for every day. As a young woman with RIGHTS I have now can do anything I put my mind to with the RESOURCES I have now.

"One Woman Can Change Anything. Many Women Can Change Everything"

Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Modifications © 2003 Jone Johnson Lewis. Licensed to About.com.

Previous citing's : Streitmatter, Rodger. Mightier Than The Sword. Philidelphia, PA: Westview Press, 1997. Print

After reading the first 3 chapters I have decided my first blog will be on chpater 3. Women's rights have always been very important to me and I have always been eager to learn more about the subject. I believe that they paved the path for women today, and I am excited to learn and share more about the subject.

:-)