The revelation of a KKK organization in Washington Parish has reopened old racial wounds in Louisiana. Eight people are in custody for the killing of an Oklahoma woman who traveled to Louisiana to become initiated in the local KKK group Sons of Dixie. The fact that members are being initiated into the KKK and that the organization is recruiting members on the Internet was pretty surprising to law enforcement leaders in Washington and St. Tammany parishes.
The KKK was active in Louisiana decades ago, but its activity has been underground for many years. Although the membership of the group is extremely small, the media provided intense media coverage of the killing. It has led to more negative publicity for Louisiana at a time that the state is dealing with a persistent outward migration problem.
According to demographer Elliot Stonecipher, the Census Bureau shows that in the past 27 years Louisiana has lost 84 residents each day, or about four per hour. At a time in which many neighboring states are growing, these numbers are alarming. We have been losing people consistently for almost three decades.
Obviously all of the publicity about the KKK is just the wrong type of news for Louisiana and does nothing to improve our image nationwide. It will not get any better in the weeks ahead because today it was announced that the black radical group, the New Black Panther Party, are planning a protest march for Friday December 5 in Bogalusa. The rally is in response to the KKK incident and the media attention surrounding the white supremacist group. The rally might trigger a counter rally from KKK members, so there could be chants of “white power” and “black power.” There is also the threat of violence that will be hanging over the event.
A better economy will help mitigate the effectiveness of the KKK and the New Black Panther Party. Crime and poverty lead to racial strife and give disengaged people on both side reasons to join extremist groups. People with good paying jobs are less likely to be attracted to extremist groups. They are not disillusioned and filled with hate and are too concerned with making money and providing for their families.
Hopefully, the Louisiana of tomorrow will not be a breeding ground for any type of hate group. We need to do tremendous work to improve our economy so that people do not leave Louisiana in droves and those that stay are not so poverty stricken that they are attracted to extremist messages. A thriving economy in Louisiana can provide many benefits. Good paying jobs limits the pockets of racism that still exist in Louisiana and give opportunities to our people who would like to remain in our state.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Im looking past the incident, WHY is it ok to have "THE BLACK PANTHERS" but " KKK" is so bad? They both have long disturbing histories. How is one right over the other? Thats.. to put plainly STUPID! I DO NOT think that the so called black panthers should have ANY rally. Want to protest, do it indivually.
And if that does happen.. when the KKK rallies.. keep your mouths quiet!
Until there is no black panther party, i dont think they have any right to talk about KKK.
Thats the only reason the black panthers are going to rally is because its the "KKK".. SAD!!!!!!!!!! Written by Victoria
on 11/23/2008
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It has very little to do with poverty, or ignorance, but everything in the world with power and control..... conducted under a criminal method.... It is perhaps really the darker side of politics as they truly exist...... One group wanting to take from another, one group trying to cowar another.... It is a two way street... Written by
on 11/17/2008
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Well, there's the problem I suppose.... the 'New' Black Panther Party (you know, improved, brighter, snazzier, fresher, crisper... oh blah, blah, blah.) is good, and KKK is 'bad'..... I guess the 'race-baiters' have to make a living too... along with the other associated abstracts... Makes for good spin and increased newspaper sales along with media attention.... Too bad they couldn't just take up selling girl scout cookies and peanut brittle, we would probably all be better off in the long run.... Written by
on 11/17/2008
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Both organizations are deplorable examples of hatred and should be long gone. However, poverty and ignorance have allowed them to continue in the hearts and minds of some. We can only continue to try to unite as one in an attempt to bring about the destructions of such organizations and furthermore to improve the status of this state. This can only be done with strong values, parental involvement, education, and a determination to overcome the issues. Written by RhettsWife
on 11/17/2008
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The revelation of a KKK organization in Washington Parish has reopened old racial wounds in 
