wow. very powerful, very straightforward. well done.

I agree with the photographer when you are taking photos you need to separate yourself from the subject, the photos should speak for themselves. Very well done, very straightforward. I do think the Klan are an abhorrent group and disagree with them, this piece was right in trying to shoot them with an unbiased slant. The photographer is just there to take photos not to judge, and without this unbiased approach we would never get these types of pictures.

This is a young girl, not a boy. Notice the long hair and the pink shirt underneath the KKK robe.

Who said that this is a picture of a boy?

To the 2nd comment, I hope you are not saying everyone who wears a pink t-shirt is a girl. Very bad logic if you ask me.

Who would have thought the KKK loves the Legend of Zelda so much they'd add a patch to their robes?

Greetings Brothers!

Great photo! Its so reassuring to see our young ones involved in such a crucial movement to regain what has been our inalienable right! The World needs to know that not everyone does things the way they would have it done, we do things our way, which is arguably the better way!

Presumably the world does not see the merit in our intellectually bankrupt belligerence. That is our gain! The people around us, are always the first to cast the first stone. Is hard to fathom, they still have not grasped the truth, that only we are singularly worthy of stoning!

In the absence of the rigours of logic, we thrive and fill the vacuum with out intellectually stellar positions rife with belligerence.

It should come as no surprise that we are seen as the provocateurs, that we're seen as the subjects of ridicule, we need to stop being timid and let our belligerence shine. We are the maladroit children of the connatural!

Understandably a shallower gene pool does not augment our group's repertoire, still, we must push on - Like blind leading the delusional.

Amen!

So you suggest that we shouldn't have an unbiased view on a obviously biased group?

So what happened to the "original" meaning of KKK, did it get lost through all the harassment and murders of African-Americans?

"I hate Illinois Nazis."

Ms Ruth,

Bless your 40-year-old quadriplegic daughter, "Lilbit". I presume she was going on an enlightening Klan Meeting. What a loss to us all. One less full functioning KlansWoman. Please, accept my facetious moment of silence!

Alleluia!

Thanks Zane, now I'm officially creeped out.

The woman narrating was probably severely abused.

How is that powerful and straightforward you racist piece of shit. That robe needs to be burned.

The Klan needs to hook up with Scientology. Then when Xenu comes back he can smite them all in one blow. Hail Xenu!

I wish the damn KKK would stop using the rebel flag.

Here's the deal. Today's Klan sucks. It's a terrible thing that should be put to an end. But, do some research. It wasn't always bad.

I like to take a little nap after a meal.

Future FreeMason

There are still backwards thinking people like the Klan in an otherwise great nation. The photos merely offer proof lest we fool ourselves into thinking that racism in our modern society is dead. Hate should not be a "family value." It's domestic terrorism.

yeah, it's a cool flag joshtothemaxx, but it will always be associated with the klan and other hate groups

ummm thats a girl not a boy

How is that a girl? It's wearing a KKK robe so we can safely assume that the family is poor white trash. PWT can easily explain a child without a haircut [and/or mullet] and the pink shirt as well. I would then go on to say that the kid has on black socks, possibly birkenstocks or old, white tennies, cut off jeans, and the shirt probably says something like, "Jeff Gordon For President," or "If You Ain't White, You're Black. And if Your Black, I Hates You".

ok i dont like the kkk but they now let in blacks. so is that a good thing?

The author has obviously gone to the dark side. He's way to sympathetic to have maintained his objectivity. I would watch out for him.

Mike, you are a funny one! You painted such a lovely picture. And so accurate too. We've had to move to Louisiana for my husband's job and there are so many mullets that they should really hold the convention here.

I assume by Ms. Ruth's narrative, though, that it is a girl, because she's talking about females' roles in the KKK on that pic.

What a load of crap. Racist, homophobic, xenophobic, scumbags. My dad's relatives were members of the KKK and he left Virginia just to get away from this whole ball of ignorance. They are anything but good, kind, thoughtful, religious people.

Didn't anyone notice that this scam artist is receiving government assistance and must not be declaring her income on this racist crap? Let's see, she smokes, she has scads of animals, all costing bunches of money to care for, but, taxpayers are taking care of her daughter by public assistance? She is scamming us and helping keep up the lies that the Klan is this nice organization without any hatred. These same KKK types also are the ones who moan about people here illegally taking our jobs and getting our social services. They are a bunch of rednecks. They all should be ashamed. The parent of this child in a robe is fostering the worst part of American history. If anyone should be deported, it is the ones spreading this kind of hatred.

These ignorant bigots like to paint themselves as so called Christians. They are white supremacists who think they are better than anybody other than their narrow gene pool.

Pardon me, but this photo journalist is enamored with the entire Klan frame of mind that he is no longer neutral. He is praising the glory of the Klan.

Patricia, I think it is pitiful and meanspirited of you to criticize this woman for working hard and taking care of her daughter. You don't know how much she makes selling about one outfit a day and you obviously have no idea what it costs to take care of her paraplegic daughter. You have more hatred in your heart than she does. Be ashamed.

Wow. Great piece. This was a really solid piece of human interest journalism, thought-provoking and insightful. I disagree strongly with Klan philosophy, but I appreciate the unbiased look into the lives of its members. This is very unlike any story I've seen before. Good work.

Bubba Gump - Why is the poster a "racist piece of shit" for thinking this photo essay is powerful and straightforward? I have no love for the Klan, but I agree with the poster that this photo essay is pretty powerful. It certainly stirred a lot of emotions for me and, apparently, you as well since you're so quick to post an emotional response. Maybe you're right and the poster is a racist, but neither of us really know since there was nothing in the post to suggest they were.

Ever seen pictures of the Nazi concentration camps? Most would agree those are pretty powerful images. That obviously doesn't make one an anti-Semite, and thinking this photo essay is powerful doesn't make one a racist.

I would suggest when you rush so quickly to judge someone and call them a "racist piece of shit," you do nothing to help your cause and actually end up hurting it. For what it's worth, I'd help you in burning the robe, just so long as it was empty, of course. Don't be so quick to assume you know someone based on a few words they throw up on the internet and don't make silly leaps of illogic. It just makes you look silly.

I know this lady and her daughter was hit by a drunk driver and she supports herself and her daughter. no welfare.

I am a black photo journalist, and I really liked the story. It's refreshing to hear a journalist tell the story instead of dictating her or his personal unbiased view. Don't get me wrong, the KKK has terror status that ranks with Al-kida, and any street gang in the world that kills for power. I am also confused on how they relish in their Christian Faith, and most of your top figures in the bible like Jesus is Jewish and even worst for them Moses was Ethiopan and Jewish, I could go on, but I wont. To conclude it's a great story, it made the KKK human in a way, and lets be real most people don't look at them as human. People on the other side of their view, are happy when they hear about them loosing their lives, by getting killed or locked up, and thats not right if you don't believe in what they believe in.

This is simply insane. And obscene.

Are the readers of Mother Jones unaware of history? Google "kkk lynchings" in images. smile, these are just human beings like you and me, with chickens and horsies and poor handicapped kids and everything...

Is "tolerance" of one of the most vicious, monstrous, murderous organizations that ever lurked in the moral cesspools of this country's past supposed to pass as synonym for "unbiased"?

Let's do a little thing where we see the Nazi death-camp sadists at home with their cute puppies and their lovely Wagner and their sweet little damaged children. Or how about day to day life among the death-squads of any nation, in which they explain that they are very sweet to their favored neighbors, and go fishing and are terribly misrepresented..

ok, you cant possibly put scientology and the klan together, scientology is for liberal cowards and the klan is for people who hate [deleted]. hail the klan and [deleted] scientologists. your ideas are wrong

This woman has been fed a long history of KKK mythology depicting the organization as a benevolent social improvement organization. The idea that all that harassment was the KKK trying to better their fellow man. She seems to endorse the idea that the KKK had the right to interject themselves into the lives of others to uplift them by force through threat or use of violence. Perhaps she thinks all those lynchings were just actions of the friendly neighborhood KKK chapter doing its civic duty to help blacks be more responsible. She obviously was not taught anything about its actions as a domestic terrorist organization, or – she is feeding you a load of B.S.

I was disappointed in Mother Jones' unbalanced coverage in this story.
A complimentary companion article that discussed a black victim's experience with the Klan would have been appropriate. I understand the idea of humanizing members of organizations such as the Klan: it's important that we do not paint people as demons and understand that humans have as much ability to hate as they do to love. But painting such a positive picture of the members of the Klan - an organization responsible for the deaths of thousands of civil rights workers, black americans, jews, native peoples, and latinos - should have been accompanied by an explanation of why the Klan has been considered a terrorist group by communities of color, the way that they targeted civilians in the south and the way their new numbers are growing out of the anti-immigrant hatred. I saw little contextualizing or historisizing in the article. Truly disappointing.
It isn't difficult to find victims of Klan violence. My great grandmother and her sisters, members of the Choctaw nation of Louisiana who refused reservation life, used to talk about how the knight riders of the Klan burned down their family home with when my great-grandfather's questioned a white grocer about giving him incorrect change.
It's inappropriate to humanize these actors without also talking of the crimes, the lynchings
and so on.

In my opinion it's child abuse to raise a child in a hateful environment and indoctrinate them from an early age to fear "others." I'm very sad to see a child so young wearing the trappings of hate. Shame on Ruth for continually exposing her granddaughter to such destructive persons. How on earth will that child function in a modern society that embraces diversity and multiculturalism. And if she is home-schooled she will have no chance to have outside influences. It really is a shame.

So, all u snobs believe anyone who wears old clothes are white trash??? Isn't that kind of you. If you people had brains, you'd take them out and play with them!!

So basically the KKK is just a slice of mainstream Christendom, and its members are just regular, neighborly folks who take care of people in their community regardless of the color of their skin. I now see why this poor woman needs to sew hoods for their uniforms. If people were able to identify these philanthropic individuals in public...???

Well, I guess they're like comic book super heros who do good things but need to hide their identities, otherwise...???

OK, Mr. Photojournalist. So someone welcomes you into her home and cooks for you, so you don't feel the need to press her on her beliefs (which, in reality is the only reason she is a person of interest in this context)? If we were aliens who knew nothing about human history, including the that of the KKK, we'd probably ask each other after seeing this article, "Wow! What a brave and good woman. Why would anyone object to her creating these odd yet apparently inane garbs? Why does your media defame such a selfless organization? Is everyone on this planet heartless or out of their minds?".

I don't think it would have been appropriate to "judge" your "subjects", but what did we really learn from your work? If the organization this woman works for is so wonderful, what is about them that necessitates the hoods and their not allowing you to photograph them during the day, etc.? Should I take it that the majority of us have the wrong ideas about the KKK because of a prejudiced media? You didn't feel compelled to give this wonderful woman the opportunity to give her side of the story about at least one of the many mean, nasty thing that have been attributed to this organization she so unabashedly supports?

I beleive that every (logical) American can see through this photographers bland reporting. I Don't believe that he set out to expose the truth of the KKK but rather paint a rosy picture of them. After all isn't that the point of journalism, to expose the truth. I believe that he is in fact bias, and showes it very well. The notion that the KKK accepts everyone, and is "looking out" for us all reguardless of color is just plain ludacrist. In order to understand the Klan and it's misguided philophisies, one only needs to slightly review history. The KKK for centuries have been responsible for the brutal murders of innocent men, women, and children. as seen in the Birmingham bombings, the slain Civil rights voting Activist or the many Lynchings of Black Americans across the country. And yes a few of them have been brought to justice with the aid of true White Americans. (To them I say thank you). Ok,ok,ok, so for those of you who say, well not all of them are bad or even responsible. Well lets look at how quickly people were to judge Senator Barack Obama based on comments made by someone else. Now ask how can I say all Klan members are hateful, muderous, bigots. I for one don't agree with the KKK philosophies, however I don't believe in restricting ones' right of free speech, unless of course it a directly results in physical violence. I believe that majority of Americans are smart enought to see through through the rehortic and sufficiently conclude that the KKK and everyone in it (reguardless of how pleasant they are in the company of someone who looks like them) seeks only to spread mindless hatred throughout our nation. To the Journalist who completed the story, next time you visit their rally, try taking an African American with you, and see how far you get. Thank you for allowing me to express myself, I and remember If we don't stand for something, we will surely fall for anything. God Bless and goodnight.

Why do I care what redneck terrorist makes halloween costumes for other redneck terrorists? Listen to the audio clip, she's talking about how the clan uses the threat of physical violence "they gave them a warning first and if they didnt straighten up they got beat". and this so-called 'photojournalist' expects me to gain some kind of appreciation for their 'traditions', and sympathy for this woman.

The endurance of the KKK in America today is such an interesting topic to explore, I was surprised to find this piece so...dull. While the attempt to view this woman (who creates the costumes that have been such a significant symbol of hate and bigotry in our young country's history) in a humanistic and almost empathetic light is slightly interesting, the lack of exploration in this piece shows Mr. Karen's unwillingness to really explore his subject. His photos cling to the woman and her immediate surroundings, her safe space, in the same way his interviews do...at times the essay seems to consider delving deeper, but like a frightened child, Mr. Karen and Mother Jones stay out of the water in this piece. What is the Klan today, if it is still alive and kicking? What is Ms. Ruth's opinion on the more 'controversial' (to put it mildly) actions of the KKK in history? These unasked questions show Mr. Karen's attempt to mollify general (and maybe his own) feelings about the KKK. He describes his frequent meetings with the group--Is Ms. Ruth focused upon to convince us that members of the KKK look like regular people too? To make us feel sorry for her? This essay does nothing to shed light on the Klan today (other than to report that they still order outfits). The history of racial discord in this country begins with its settlement, and is still very much alive. If we continue to sweep under the rug or blatantly ignore the actual views of Americans like Ms. Ruth, then the opportunity at true understanding and progress is wasted. We know America is not the egalitarian society it claims it wants to be. Desegregation and affirmative action have not solved our problems of race relations in the South or elsewhere. Just in case you thought that America had achieved racial equality, a look in our prisons should point you in the other direction. By avoiding an open discussion of race in this country we spit on everything that leaders like Dr. King stood for. Mr. Karen, if you want to introduce to us members of the KKK, or to tell us a story, make it one worth the effort. Showing us that Ms. Ruth is a nice lady is the equivalent of telling us the Heinrich Himmler's daughter Gudrun enjoys baking.

Interesting Report! Would so many people be outraged at photos of a black group's costume? An article of Reverend Wright's costumer? The KKK today stands more for equal rights for white people, preservation of the white race. Why the outrage over this philosophy when all other races have carte blanche rights to have their racial pride? This seamstress is a free American and has every right to sew what she wants, for whom she wants, and that freedom was written by her race's constitutional authors. Maybe those who object would prefer she live in a ghetto with ten kids and live off the taxpayers!

Say, Rowana, Does the "white race" include light skinned/"white" latinos? what about Irish? Italian? Or would you prefer Aryan-looking Germans? Jews? Do you have meters to keep track of how 'white' the members of your nation are? Or does the KKK's "white race"only include the whites in the rural south, in a nation that was stolen from Native Americans? This seamstress does live off the taxpayers, dear. The KKK is a supremacy group, not an equality group.

If the Klan is truly about brotherly love then it is a good thing, but it's reputation has definately hurt it either way. One thing is for sure that this is the US and they can do whatever they want. It is nice that she can stay home for her daughter, b

I wanted to take the opportunity to address the numerous posts regarding this story.

I have always been interested in documenting taboo and mysterious subject matter, and I had been contacting the Klan for many months before finally receiving permission to attend a cross lighting ceremony. As a photojournalist, I jumped at the chance. This may seem hard for some of you to understand, but it's my responsibility to gather information and observe and document what I see in an unbiased fashion. It's up to the readers to make their own opinion by viewing the images - it’s not up to the photographer to dictate how you should feel, regardless of the subject or its history. How can I document situations in a true light, if I have an opinion while behind my camera lens?

Ms Ruth is part of a much larger project I am working on about white supremacy in the US - she's not meant to be a statement, a story or whatever some of you are trying to figure out the meaning of. I do not run Mother Jones Magazine, nor do I decide what they publish. They liked the images and thought it offered a unique view inside a world not many people will ever see. The audio consists of answers to specific questions that I was asked, and I was not involved in the editing process. Personal interviews make me uncomfortable as I tend to be shy, but I am also very passionate about my work – if the audio makes you think that I am biased in any direction, I apologize.

I have spent a lot of time at Miss Ruth’s house and they have treated me with kindness and respect. I am a privileged guest when allowed to photograph a situation in someone’s personal space and it would be unethical to criticize one religious practices or beliefs no matter who they are.

I'm amazed at just how fascist all of you open minded anti-fascists really are. I'm against social oppression of any kind, and the extreme left is just a crazy and ignorant as the extreme right.

I once farted, and it stank of bologna.

Anthony's article certainly stimulated a lot a discussion which is good. We all know what 'white pride' is all about. It is a code phrase used to justify hate. Wearing hoods to hide ones identity says a lot about this group. This woman works 12 hours a day to help people hide behind a mask and to justify their actions. It has nothing to do with being white. Race isn't the issue. We are still living with the aftermath of hundreds of years of slavery and the retribution that the north took on the south after the civil war was supposedly over.

I feel sorry for these people but even more so for their victims.

What a crock! This is an example of irresponsible "photo-journalism: and it is far from unbiased.This "author" makes a big deal out of keeping his own "beliefs" out of his work: but who in their right mind gets the warm fuzzies about the kkk? First he presents himself as a freelance photographer - who obviously would have chosen his subject matter. Then he makes a point of referring to the piece as "an assignment". This was no "assignment". Anyone who can sit around a flea market week-end after week-end drinking lemonade and listening to white supremacists spew their twisted, distorted venom with all the grandeur and eloquence a 6th grade education can muster is, most definitely NOT unbiased.To actually do what this guy says he did, he would have had to, at some point, affirmed their doctrine: or they would have kicked him to the curb very quickly.N--- Lover comes to mind: it's always been a favorite catch phrase for the k. His presentation of this "seamstress" as a credible "historian" - allowing her to wax nostalgic for the good ol' days when klansters went prancing all over the neighborhood doing good deeds is shameless.There are enough subjects to cover rather then give this one one iota of sympathy. Making "miz ruth" seem jes lak a good ol'southern gal tekkin ca-ya of her dear daw-ter is giving credence to her prejudices. If this woman had absolutely no one to sew for except the kkk - if she and her family were going to start missing meals unless she sewed for the k, then presenting her in this light might have been justified - but then, not with all the references to what her "daddy" and her "grandaddy" told her while she bounced on their knees.

I think the individual who posted the ramble on how pleased she was that the daughter is disabled is a disgrace. There is nothing to be applauded in relishing other people's misfortune regardless of who their mother and father are or what personal beliefs they hold.

Feeling compassion for a fellow human being's suffering is healthy and being able to identify their positive qualities amongst the mire of bigotry and hatred is healthy also. This is how we appeal to those who are conditioned in such a way; by appealing to their better qualities and relating to them as individuals rather than cogs in a discriminatory and bigoted machine.

I am vehemently opposed to all forms of discrimination and violence and therefore the KKK also. The agressive and reactionary attitudes of many of those who have commented here are not the answer and reveal qualities they would deplore in individuals that do not share the same beliefs they do.

You do not have to be a white supremacist-sympathiser to feel compassion for individuals who harbour such beliefs.

Darius, great response to Patricia, may Yahweh bless you. This was a well done story and I pray that the photojournalist receives many blessings from Yahweh for such an unbiased report on one of the last white Christian organizations left in America.

While I don't agree with the ideologies of ANY racial hate group (whether the KKK or Black Panthers or what have you) I don't understand the many hateful remarks here...a photojournalist should not be criticized for what they shoot - how should we feel about photographers who took photos of starving children in the Sudan, or the events in Rwanda, or in Vietnam, or WWII or any other event in history? Is it the photographer's job to feed the hungry, or stop the fighting? Though we would love to assume that is the way it works, a photographer's job is to document what goes on to make us more aware of what is happening in the world around us and to bring to light things that we may not know about.

This particular piece brings to light the fact that not only is the KKK still in existence, but that there are many sides to the story - this woman may not be a member, but HER history and experience is that the Klan is different than many of us know...whether we agree with it or not, it's HER history and experience and you can't take that away from her. She works hard to take care of her daughter - it shouldn't matter what it is that she does for a living - she does what she knows and what she can to provide a safe, secure environment for her crippled daughter. What parent can take that away from her??

Just a quick note to say how disappointed I was in Mother Jones unbalanced coverage in the Aryan Outfitters story.
A complimentary companion article that discussed a black victim\'s experience with the Klan would have been appropriate. I understand the idea of humanizing members of organizations such as the Klan: it\'s important that we do not paint people as demons and understand that humans have as much ability to hate as they do to love. But painting such a positive picture of the members of the Klan - an organization responsible for the deaths of thousands of civil rights workers, black americans, jews, native peoples, and latinos - should have been accompanied by an explanation of why the Klan has been considered a terorrist group by communities of color, the way that they targeted civilians in the south and the way their new numbers are growing out of the anti-immigrant hatred. I saw little contextualizing or historisizing in the article. Truly disappointing.
It isn\'t difficult to find victims of Klan violence. My great grandmother and her sisters, members of the Choctaw nation of Louisiana who refused reservation life, used to talk about how the knight riders of the Klan burned down their family home with when my great-grandfather\'s questioned a white grocer about giving him incorrect change.
It\'s inappropriate to humanize these actors without also talking of the crimes, the lynchings and so on.

lulz.... I bet they didn't give the black people a warning, they just went straight to beating them and lynching them.

Thats amazing, rowena. I didn't think that someone who could use the word 'carte blanche' could also be so completely full of crap. Congrats on breaking that stereotype for me!

I think its disgusting that you are in any way apologizing for that woman and those people. Her entire life is wrapped up in hate and exclusion, and no, I am not moved by her daughters suffering. Its unfortunate, but thats life. She doesn't get, well, carte blanche in the morality department just because she takes care of a sick daughter. She is still a deeply sick, deeply dangerous human being.

I am impressed with the essay, it is definitely eye opening. I think we tend to forget what a freakish and disgusting thing the Klan is. I think of it as ancient, gone, part of our countries shameful past. But then here it is, staring at you in the form of a young kid. Terrifying.

And if I didn't make myself clear enough in the beginning, there, rowena, I think your an ass.

creepy.

Hi Anthony,

I think your piece is incredible. I am a journalist myself, a writer. I totally understand how you would even come to...empathize with the fact that this woman is obviously poor, undereducated, female. It's a complicated and intense situation to be in, and you did show us, the reader/consumer, something we wouldn't see otherwise.

My only caveat for you is based on this

>I have spent a lot of time at Miss Ruth’s house and they have treated me with kindness and respect. I am a privileged guest when allowed to photograph a situation in someone’s personal space and it would be unethical to criticize one religious practices or beliefs no matter who they are.

Never forget the reason they treated you with kindness and respect is because you are white. They would not have a let a journalist of colour into their space. You used your white privilege to a very good end, but...it's so easy to use our privileges without remembering that we have them. That would be my only worry.

Thanks again.

d.

The Ku Klux Klan was founded on the idea of maintaining white supremacy and, if it wasn't obvious from the interview with Ms. Ruth, male supremacy. That organization has victimized and marginalized human beings of many descriptions. I, too, believe that it would have been appropriate to include a companion article that focused on the experiences of someone victimized by the Klan, in order to avoid presenting it uncritically.

That said, I felt for Ms. Ruth and her precious Lilbit, for whom she works 10 - 12 hours a day, making one robe each day which she sells for $105 - $140. How many yards of fabric is that? How much per yard? What do you suppose the profit margin is? This woman is working 70 - 80 hours a week at minimum wage, doing the only thing she can do to take care of her daughter.

In her interview, it sounded to me like she was working even harder to justify doing the only thing she could. She has been fed a line about the benevolence of the Klan and has accepted it---but not without reservation. She acts as an apologist, saying that in days past the women helped each other without regard for race. This is modern Klan folklore. It is verifiably untrue.

In her heart she knows what she is doing is wrong. I wish she had some other choice.

The above poster was right on in mentioning Hannah Arendt's quote about he banality" of evil. Not once did this woman or the journalist say that "beating" black people was wrong. "Got one warning--for what? Asserting their human rights?
One realizes how much one treasures freedom of speech if they can see something as repulsive as this presentation, and still treasure that right, for everyone. But make no mistake--the KKK holds repulsive views for anyone who believes in dignity for everyone.
I don't know if the group is still involved in illegal activity, but I would like to see Mother Jones do an investigative report on it.
Also, Scientology is NOT a liberal organisation. Liberal organisations don't impede people from leaving if they want to. they certainly don't lock people in rooms until they die of dehydration.
People and groups can embrace any views they want--but it's when they try to coerce others that they become criminal.

This lady is one one the nices people you could ever meet.As for those of you who write about the K.K.K can tell ur a outsider, and know nothing of the Klan but what zog tells you.

Yes, Ladies and Gentleman, yet more proof of the Stupidity of the average American!

This woman tries to make us think the kkk is a wonderful organization. May all of them have parapalegic children as rewards for their bigotry.

I liked the story and the images reflect just the feeling of the clan. The older female looked like a burnt out character who may have played a part next to jabba the hut in Star wars. The attitude that we whiter people must group up and remain in fear and react in fear reflects that same gangster mentality. Their is nothing beautifull about the clan to white outsiders like me. I feel like the clan drops the white collective IQ substantially. I also will never understand the fear of embracing difference and substance of culture. It is these fear which my mother beat out of me at a young age. As an American caucasion and a cummunity leader I think the members of the KKK will fade in just a few generations and the young will find better lives through social experiences.

Neat story, however I think the clan is absurdly disgusting and it seems like everyone I have ever talked to in the clan are extremely afraid of a dark apocolypse where they will have to bear arms against those that are different. Basic psycology tells us that in turn they are diminishing their own selves.

Well I say its not too late...idiots....run to the sea XD

Wow! I am a liberal, but I am very disappointed in the hate-filled liberals on this comments page. I am also appalled at Mother Jones at running a photographic essay in a forum in which Ruth and her family will be looked at as freak shows.

The KKK is truly awful, but these people are not harming anyone-they're just trying to get through their day like the rest of us. Poking fun at them, and even more so, the downright hatred of many of the comments posted leaves me very disheartened. How does one hatred absolve another?

I believe this essay and the comments it provoked reveal how the far left is as noxious and intolerant as the far right. Intolerance and ignorance of ALL kinds limits any individual's contribution to a more just sociey.

I will not protect the barricades with fascists of any stripe.

I think it is a shame to contribute to a sickness this country continues to suffer from. She should suffer the same treatment that her so called clients impose on innocent people. The KKK were not given any free ticket to their claim on this earth and need to understand "One nation under God", not their so-called "Nation under Hatred."

The Klan sounds like your standard christian group. They just dont try to hide their prejudices.

" "One nation under God", not their so-called "Nation under Hatred."
Try telling that to the New Black Panthers, the JDL, the ADL and the NAACP just to name a few..And you folks that HATE the Klan so much Pray that you or a loved one is never involved in a black on white crime

It amazes me as to how many who are not involved in the Klan know so much about it. I have done business with this fine lady for years, and she is a fine Christian woman. Some of you here talk about how bad the Klan is and pure hate spews from your mouths. Fine Christian examples you are. For the ones making fun of her daughter, there is a special place for you. Rot in it.

any kind of endorsement like this of the KKK is a complete disgrace

" any kind of endorsement like this of the KKK is a complete disgrace "
Only to a short sighted person like you rahardie..

I believe what has stirred up so much emotion from those of us reading this story is that here is a woman that you inherently feel sorry for because of her circumstances and if you met her on the street you wouldn't be able to see the darkness in her soul for her support of such a horrible group of people, but here we are faced with the fact that our next door neighbors could be wearing these robes and passing their twisted beliefs onto their children without us knowing it. These people unfortunately do not carve a Swatiska into their foreheads. I live in Georgia and was recently on a forum in which I made several comments regarding whites treatment of blacks and how racism is alive and well today. Immediately I was "accused" of being black and pretending to be white, of being unemployed and just wanting the government to support me, of being a "young grandparent of a biracial grandchild"???? and many other things that just really made no sense at all. So, for all of my white brothers and sisters who want to blow off slavery by saying "I wasn't responsible for it. Blacks need to get over something that happend over 100 years ago" read this article. Maybe you will realize that our race has been committing atrocities against blacks and other non-whites for generations and that it continues today.
http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/58/10/1380

Lol the Klan dosent hate keep believeing what you want about the Klan.I can tell by the comments left,that no one here knows the Klan.There are some very nice people in the Klan,some with great jobs and some with bad jobs.But one thing for sure they are all united in helping the white race.they are no different then "NOI" the Klan serves to help out whites not hurt others.

Matt Floyd yes the people in the Klan do good things for their community.They hide because doing good things for the "white community" is called racist.Some Klan members in the "UNSKKKK" gave food last Thanksgiving to a poor white family.

And to answer Bekas post "you can believe what you want about re-written history.But the real history of lynchings is not so simple as innocent blacks being killed.Lynchings only numbered around 5,000 were both black & white.Most people lynched were that of criminals like killers and molesters.the Klan did not go around killing blacks for no reason.They went around killing criminals who attacked whites.At the hight of the Klan there was 5 million "yet in that same period maybe 70 people were lynched a year.If their goal was to really kill blacks, don't you think more then only 5,000 people would have been lynched.Also if that was their goal why would the Klan lynch whites.The answer is because they only lynched people who were causeing problems.

I think the Klan is okay.

When I was growing up in Indiana, back in the 70's, my parents were both laid off from the plant.

The KKK in our county was pretty strong. 1 of them owned a supermarket.

They showed up at our house in robes and hoods. Each month for 7 months, they delivered 4 big boxes of food to our house. Had it not been for that food, I don'tknow what we would have done.

The Klan managed to get all of us jobs (except for the colored folks).

If you were going to interview Osama-Bin-Laden, you wouldn’t go in shouting about 9/11 – if you came out at all, you wouldn’t come out with a story. As the photographer/journalist, you go in as a neutral, you have a job to do and that is professional conduct. Had this not happened, this story would never have reached you and you would have been the less for it. It’s another view – maybe not your view, just another one.

Take the story for what it is, some poor folks with plenty of troubles of their own making a small, honest living working hard; very hard. For them, the existence of the Klan is their family, friends, and neighbors; they are their food, drink, and wages. Those who would deprive them of this should ask if you would support the seamstress and her daughter for the rest of their lives or how else they will survive in this world.

Those who would ban the KKK do not know what this would mean. Once banned, there will be the next, lesser group along the line to be banned, and eventually, all dissenting voices will be stilled.

No, leave them be; times have moved on. If there really is a problem, the law will take care of it.

Regardless of anything else, I found the photography particularly good. The narrative was measured and suited those photographs. I’m glad I watched it.

It's interesting how the former Marine photographer never indicates a questioning of the disingenuous line these people handed him. The cross lighting is of only religious significance, and never meant to demean any particular race? Riiight. It's all about "tradition" and "heritage" and don't forget God! So, he's both profoundly ignorant of the history of that organization's activities in this nation, and he's unaware of their current activities. Or, since he talks about being "honest" and "I don't judge" he's really signaling that he's in agreement with their beliefs. If that's the case, glad he's out of the military, but I wonder how many others sharing his beliefs are in uniform, armed up and roaming other nations filled with brown people and killing them in the name of America. As a person who has direct, unwanted, frightening, and unsolicited dealings with the KKK in this modern era, I find the unquestioning and uncritical stance presented by the "adopted son" of the racist seamstress working for terrorist organization in his home country rather sad.

Actually, the triforce is a catholic symbol representing the mother, father and the holy spirit.

That's not used by zelda on purpose though- because there are symbols of shintaoism in the game.

I suppose that if she were making robes for ELF or ALF none of you would have a problem.

I would'nt have a problem if she were making you a dress Reggie.

Last time I checked, the Union won the Civil War.

People need to grow up and not be so narrow minded. the kkk needs to grow up and stop brain washing the youth with their stupid ways. whites are not better, males are not better, no one is better than no one...why is that so hard to understand? why are people so dumb?
this is not okay...how DARE they call themselves christians?!?

People go out and learn, ignorance is the highest form of stupidity...kkk members you are only superior in your stupidity

There's a recent photo collection that came out that, which, since I can't remember the actual title, is the equivalent of "Nazis at Play." It's ordinary snapshots of Nazis in their down time. Smoking cigarettes. Playing fetch with dogs. Going out for a drink with the boys. Kissing.

The collection is being curated by a Jewish group. The whole intent of it is to show that Nazis were ordinary people with ordinary lives. This does not lessen the message that what they did was evil. If anything, to my mind, it makes it more powerful. Ordinary people - you, me, your neighbors...anyone - are capable of committing great crimes against other people. What is so monstrous about these crimes is not that monsters commit them, but that your family, your friends, your teachers do.

It would be wise to look at these photos and understand Miss Ruth as a regular person, and bear that in mind when making decisions of your own.

There is nothing ordinary about these weak minded sick people

true - but this one of them hillbilly ku-klan members - god knows what they wear ?!?!

I found the piece interesting yet disturbing, we obviously all looked at it out of curiousity. I do believe that the photographer was trying to be unbiased otherwise he couldn't have shot the photos that he did. I am however surprised and saddened by the things that Miss Ruth claims to be be the clan. We all know different.

This is the only photo in the series that really made me sick to my stomach. I guess it's good to see ignorance and bigotry being passed on to the next generation in a no-good-at-all kind of way.

I think the journalist who shot this piece had every right to shoot it, but the lack of balance is really disturbing. The absence of a companion piece showing the perspective of a survivor of Klan violence (still!) shows a lack of respect for the victims of the hate crimes of perpetrated by the Klan. This companion piece need not be orchestrated by the same journalist, but please, MoJo, so something to put this piece into context; to foment real two-sided discussion. otherwise you just have a lot of people spewing off hatefulness, ignorance, insults and hurt at each other.

I agree, I would love to see a counter piece

I am all for balanced reporting but this whole photo essay is sick. The klan should die.

"I'm amazed at just how fascist all of you open minded anti-fascists really are. I'm against social oppression of any kind, and the extreme left is just a crazy and ignorant as the extreme right."

This remark was posted above by someone who called themselves "Confused."

You got that right, buster.

Oh! You're right! I love the Legend of Zelda too!

I had a very hard time when I stumbled across the single image that was in Mother Jones recently - I was bewildered by its unexplained presence and caught unaware my immediate reaction was a sob that caused my coworkers to look over at the magazine.

I appreciate the photographers
need to report rather "silently" on the topic, however I have to say I don't know how a person manages to do that. I'm not sure I care to revisit the "poor under-represented folks" justification/reason/excuse for racism. It doesn't fly for me when I know plenty of poor people who manage to reign in the blame game.

I am nauseous at the image of this woman "blessing" each robe. Someone mentioned how she's not on welfare.. well I have no idea what she's on... but the alternative to sewing klan robes doesn't mean having 10 kids on the dole.

Remember that these people have the right to free speech under the constitution, just like everyone else.

You're allowed to hate people, you'll just be stupid. The constitution allows people to be stupid.

We mustn't censor opinions we disagree with.

We are a free society, people have the right to express unpopular opinions.

Remember that when posting your know-it-all comments.

By the way, the cause of the civil war and the KKK is NOT a Christian cause. They said that just to get more recruits.

Those who claimed Biblical support for the cause of the KKK were obviously lying.

But remember, you CANNOT censor opinions you do not agree with, regardless of how ridiculous they sound. If they commit violence against people because of those opinions, then they need to be arrested for assault. Until then, they have a right to peaceable assembly and freedom of expression like anyone else.

One of the core elements of any tyrannical government is censorship.

Hitler, stalin, Kim Jong Il, Castro, Mao and every other dictator all use(d) censorship of ideas in the name of state security.

YOU ARE ALL [DELETED] FOR THINKING THAT IS RIGHT. [DELETED] YOU

My heart goes out to this woman who is caring for her daughter and believes she is doing what is best. No one wants to say that what they believe is horrible, they want to justify how "right" or "good" they are.
I do want to make an important point though, Jesus helped EVERYONE, not just those who looked like him. The KKK is unchristian, they need to just say they are for white power and leave Jesus out of it. I was chilled by the photograph of the young girl in clan dress.

A good journalist does the same thing a good anthropologist or sociologist does when researching: they do their best to remain objective and understand the situation from the viewpoint of the person/people being studied so that they can accurate present an unbiased portrait to the general public and allow the general public to formulate their own opinions. It sounds like most of you came with your own set of opinions already and are determined to smash them in the face of anyone that disagrees with you.

Not that I agree with the organization at all, but I will play devils advocate ONLY in the sense that for ever person, their idea/concept of "right" and "truth" is different. That doesn't make it wrong. Everyone leads their life acting from their idea of right and wrong. For this woman, for these people, what their are doing they consider to be right. And they have the "right" to believe in that, just as we have the "right" to disagree with them.

Some of you seriously need to withdraw your heads from your derrieres and GROW UP. The fact that someone had the nerve to say something cruel about her daughter makes you just as bad as you claim they are. This woman can be just as nice as the next person, and you wouldn't know anything different unless the topic came up and she voiced her thoughts. People have an incredible amount of contradictions - and EVERYONE has at least one. Figure out what you own is and then please take care of it - and then when you've fixed yourself and healed your own contradictions and hatreds you can go about criticizing others'.

The fact that this piece brought such strong reactions from you testifies to the truthfulness and objectiveness of the photo-journalist, and to what an incredibly strong piece of work this is.

Congrats to you, oh journalist whose name I've now forgotten. Good job.

Things haven't changed. whitepride dot tv

Have a look at their merchandise too on the KKK site. Its pretty obvious to any intelligent person.

"Civil war, such as you have just passed through naturally engenders feelings of animosity, hatred, and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings; and as far as it is in our power to do so, to cultivate friendly feelings towards those with whom we have so long contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed. Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should be blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect of your enemies. Whatever your responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals meet them like men. The attempt made to establish a separate and independent Confederation has failed..."

N.B. Forrest, Lieut.-General
Headquarters, Forrest's Cavalry Corps
Gainesville, Alabama
May 9, 1865

(establishment of the Ku Klux Klan organization opposing the military occupation and rule)

Bless you, Beka. Before your comment, I felt like I'd accidentally entered an alternate universe. I mean, really, WTF people?

You tell 'em portagee!

Nah, it just illustrates their ignorance.

Thank you Josh! What a poor representation of southern heritage! I'm white, southern, not offended by the confederate flag, but extremely offended by the KKK!!!

Marry me, Matt!!! (Just kidding.) Loved your comment, though.

Zane,

Funny, well done, but apparently too subtle for some.

I thought this was an interesting bit of photojournalism, because of the contrasts. On one hand, we have the KKK, which is socially deviant & viewed by most folks as evil, while on the other hand, we have a woman working hard to make a quality hand-made product to support her invalid child.

On one hand, you want to cringe or puke, on the other hand, you sympathize with the woman's plight.

Good journalism is about making you think. Contrasts and "cognitive dissonance" make you think.

In my opinion it's child abuse to raise a child in a hateful environment and indoctrinate them from an early age to fear "others."
==========================
Hey Anonymous,

Kinda like BHO letting his kids get indoctrinated by wright huh..? WOW , bet you never thought of that one...:-)
News story for tomorrow, BHO is arrested for abuseing his kids by letting them be around wright...

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

Bill

Right on,right on.

Powerful analogy and how very true.

Wow, so many polarized comments. Look, the roles of the journalist and the KKK are pretty simple. The journalist was trying to show us something in an accurate and unbiased way, and he DID show us those things: the beliefs and lifestyle of this older woman who supports the Klan. He is not biased because he didn't argue with her about her belifes; if he had done so, he would not been able to show us an accurate and unadulterated view of this woman and her life. As a non-interfering observer, he can only photograph and document what is there, what EXISTS. The woman may paint a rosy picture of the Klan, but the journalist is only transmitting her perception of the truth to us. Don't shoot the messenger. He has only showed us what was there, in the specific instance that he investigated.

As far as the Klan goes, their role and truth is pretty simple. Regardless of how they may support each other (or whites), they can be evaluated by their beliefs and actions towards people in general, e.g. non-whites, etc. Would any of the pro-Klan commenters like to clearly spell out the Klan's beliefs towards blacks, Jews, Indians, Asians, Natives, or any other non-white or non-aryan groups? Supporting and helping whites (or any groups) is just fine, but doing so at the expense of other groups demonstrates your true colors. Love and compassion in your heart for one group is easily overshadowed by the hatred you may have for all the other groups. And all groups, regardless of color, "race", or religion, are human in the end.

I am in no way coming from any sort of a KKK sympathist mindset, but I thought this was quite a thought-provoking photo essay, as were the audio clips of both the photographer and Ms Ruth. It is interesting to see that regardless of the inhumane bigotry clouding the minds of these people, they are still human. Interesting.

Bravo for portraying a very white rural existence. This exactly how these type of people portray themselves before they go out and commit horrific acts of violence. I say "these type of people" fully aware that all rural white working class and non-working do not rape, burn, kill, lynch, steal, and abuse "others". So, what about the "others" can the journalist give us an essay on how those who have encountered the KKK feel about them?

I think this was done just for shock value I cant imagine people really buying this anymore.. do they?

As a a woman of mixed race I consider myself fairly neutral about race opinions on both sides and have broken up a few heated arguments.
However I do have a very good thing to say about this woman and the Klan's system of beliefs. They seem to like to keep their gene pools to themselves. And for that, we should all be grateful...

It's not "extreme" or "fascist" to think that KKK members are racist propagators of hate. It's actually a very mainstream opinion on both the centre left and the centre right. And there's nothing "extreme" or "fascist" about speaking up and saying we don't like hate speech or organizations that murder, hurt and intimidate others. I felt sick to my stomach looking at those pictures, and so grateful I wasn't raised to stew in my own hate.

As long as the KKK doesn't break any laws they have a right to their opinion (which I am staunchly opposed). I am glad we live in a country where people are free to believe what they want.

AMEN Brother!!!

Idiot.

If the history of my "religious practices" included the murder of your family members...you might not be so quuick to "jump at the opportunity" to humanize me in any way. You're naive...so we'll let you slide... but uhh I'd try to be more considerate in the future. You don't want to be considered a klan supporter. Or if you don't care..well you might start wearing a mask too... there are a lot of crazies out here who might want to look you up personally. Just a word of advice. Semper Fi MCRD '89

Soldier of Christ..You're right. Period. My earlier comments "idiot" and "...trailer home" were for anonymous and rawana respectively. I hadn't read your post yet. Your's is the more mature and succint posting summing up my opinion. Thanks

Well, the klan only lynched 5,000 people so I guess they must be alright.

After all, their robes are blessed by an ignorant hick so they must be sacred!

For those who say not to hate these haters: how many finger am I holding up?

The photographer admits he is biased towards the KKK. There is no pretense here. Do I LIKE his take? NO!!! But, it's important to understand that these people (who support the KKK and like groups) are real people. I'm glad I saw this and I am glad Mother Jones saw fit to publish it. It's too easy for those of us who are not exposed to this lifestyle to believe it's just a small group of crackpots.

They're not.

More's the pity.

White people are always wrong and evil racists, blacks and "people of color" are always good, with noble intentions, and their exclusively black or hispanic organizations, such as "The Nation of Islam" or "La Raza" (The Race) are NEVER racist, OH NO! They are just "struggling" for their rights in the evil white racist system. Isn´t that right my liberal lovelies?
White bad, black good, got it!
No hipocracy there! :-)

I agree with you.

That is to say I agree with 'This Old Hippie' and 'Patricia George' on their comments above.

Thanks.

So this is what happens when a photographer shares his experiences? No wonder the media is so one dimensional at times. I'd be petrified and stick with the safer stories like Tomcat. Maybe he should make some stuff up next time? Some of you disgust me with your hatred, you show just as much as the Klan did back in the 60's.
Wishing illness on another human being, that's below a classification.

Well, we can all safely assume that that child has no real future outside of marrying into old racist money, being a farm wife, popping out babies every year, or being a crack whore. I don't understand how any parent, racist or not, can subject their child to such a destructive environment. I would hate to see that kid as an adult, but then again Bush made it into office so I suppose anything is possible. Maybe she'll get lucky and marry someone whos father is a pastor in some big church down there. Or who knows? Maybe she'll end up on a poligamist compound somewhere watching her husband rape her son.

Sharing experiences and all, sure, have fun. But expect to be labeled. Objective to this? This doesn't need to be reported, and isn't news. Go find someone who was bitten by a shark. Or maybe someone who had no say a good while ago because of the grandfather clause. This isn't even journalism, it's a waste of time. I don't care if her daughter is ill, or if she's going to get lung cancer for smoking. That's her problem, but I'll not wish her ill will. No, like a good Christian, I'll pray that her sins are forgiven and maybe somehow her brain wakes up, and that kid there has some future outside of pregnancy.

I'm sorry, I saw a piece on the KKK there, not the black panthers, or black racist for that matter. Did I? Stick to the subject please? Instead of switching to a discussion you might be able to win? (Doubtfully). Right wing extremist? I think so, for you to immediately assume and move to the extreme that you did. White = bad, black = good. It's one tracked, back-[deleted] thinking like that, that has this country in such a deficit. How about a reform of your statement there?

White = white
Black = black
White = Black (transitive property, don't need to switch that :-))
Black = Equal

I like that one much better, let's see if you figure that math problem out :).

regarding the comment:"And if she is home-schooled she will have no chance to have outside influences." ??????

When will "progressive minded people" ever come to understand that homeschooling does NOT isolate a child from learning about the world. It frees them from the constraints of the school schedule and dehumanizing rules that prevent them from discovering subjects they have natural built-in curiousity about, and it allows them the time and freedom to partake in countless activities, classes and social events in their communties and beyond.

In such a situation as that? Yes, her being home schooled would screw that child over for life. In the -specific- instance, she would be schooled by the closed minded and racist on top of that. So this ONE child being home schooled, would be screwed. Because these are clearly not progressive minded people.

Re: only 5000 people lynched

Those are only the ones reported.

As many others have said, the Klan doesn't just look for people that are doing wrong. The people that cause "problems" are the ones that upset their world-view. Their very "white is right no matter what/don't change the status quo. ever." world-view.

My family and I were driving to my grandfather's funeral. They saw fit to swarm our car while we were stuck at a red light.

I was 4 years old when I learned that the people she's making those hoods for don't think I'm human.

What "good" is there in grown men and women banging on a car window to make sure the child sitting behind it understands that their racist words, pointing, and gesturing are meant for her?

Did I not know my "place"? Were we not supposed to grieve for our dead?

The standards of family values and good Christian conduct only apply when they're dealing with people that look like them.

Whatever sympathy this woman's care for her daughter evokes should be tempered with two facts: she's only doing it because she's her daughter and because said daughter is white.

It should be criminal to brainwash another generation into this lifestyle of hate and intolerance! It's un-American!

POOR GIRL LMAO..she probably doesnt know she's gonna get kicked around in school if she tries to show up with that [deleted] for "show n tell"..unless she is homeschooled and her parents are bigots just like the [deleted] who dressed her that way

ok am i the only who finds this sick. The photographer says "he didnt want to be biased" but he has been searching for the klan for some times now. ok he talks about this lady like he is [deleted] her. ok and these people are a cult, ok and im sick of these groups associating GOD with their cause, they are a cult. what there's a priest a "klaud" whatever this is a cult old kkk or new ones they are sick, delusional individuals who really shouldnt breed. Cause i dont want my son having to fight racism because these people exist.

Discrimination,racism,xenophobia and the like have been a part of human nature in every epoch, every latitude and longitude on earth.
Ignorance, fears of the unknown,anxiety about rapid changes in the world and self-preservation tend to generate them. However, their main propellant is economic. A person who is selectively blind blind,deaf or both will argue to the contrary.
Whenever I try to look for the humane,most often than not I find the economic animal.
The economic animal is someone whose action such as display of civility, kindness reciprocity,etc...are measured in anticipation of obvious or potential material gains from you.
Thus, the root of most discrimination is economic regardless of the excuse or rational. Weak,ignorant people tend to protect themselves by joining gangs,cults,religious organizations etc..against obvious, perceived or imaginary predators.
Group like the KKK sees Blacks and other non Whites as competitors.
I saw a striking resemblance between the KKK and the Muslim extremist.

Save the world...lynch george bush.

rite i have nothing against white people the majority of my friends are caucasian. But who ever dressed that kid needs to be shot, shanked or sliced . becuse it is mother [deleted] like that which started the whole race war between blaks n whites. There has been thausands of innocent young blak males n females killed and seriously harmed. becuse those [deleted] kkk's have got screw loose up stairs.

My best friend who is black was walikn home after piano practice and got jumped by a group of white males he got beaten and was left for dead while they did this they was shouting racism at him e.g 'this is a white world' n '[deleted] dont deserve the air they breath'. Now what ever race you are you cannot think that is a normal and sane thing to do. Sadly my friend marcus was in hospital for 6 weeks with 3 broken ribs a fractured nose and fractured humerous(arm).

Thankfully the rednek chiken [deleted] white trash mother [deleted] were con victed of GBH 10 days later. Now that is why us blaks preach '[deleted] THE KKK'

The United States of America! What a wonderful mix of people. I now understand why everyone calls it the greatest country on earth! Bigots, racists, undereducated thieves, thugs, and vermin. "[T]hese truths we hold hold self evident."