After reading Chapter # 7 “Defying the Ku Klux Klan” in Mightier than the Sword by Roger Striatmatter, this is what I have gathered:
When talking about democracy the Fourth Estate can be found at the pinnacle of it. The importance of the press cannot be measured nor can it be praised enough. The vast influence of the press was clearly evident during the episode of the Ku Klux Klan through-out the roaring twenties. The ample views and voices that were heard from the press at the time without a doubt drew heavy influence of the outcome of the fate of the white masked men. Once again the fourth estate strikers with tenacity and a fist full democracy.
Credit to Listverse.com
William Joseph Simmons
The Ku Klux Klan was once again summoned in 1915 by a man called William Joseph Simmons, but it was nothing but a small brotherhood at the time station in Georgia. It wasn’t until the early 1920’s that the Klan started to gain power. The social alteration of the 1920’s was something that was not accepted by all people, some still heavily believed in Americanism. These enraged “traditional” Americans had nowhere to turn so they fell subject to the KKK. “The Klan offered a sense of fraternity, a commitment to self-defined traditional American Values, and a long list of people to blame for the social upheaval – Catholics, Jews, blacks and recent immigrants”, as explained by Streitmatter. The Klan was gaining a lot of power due to their economic status, which was heavily increasing due to the initiation fee of ten dollars. This brilliant idea was brought about by a man named Edward Young Clarke, and he soon started becoming very wealthy. The Klan was spreading throughout the country, so it easily surpassed the one million mark in members. Anyone who stood in their way or matched the criteria of the people they disliked, were merely made an example of them by a tar and fathering, or a burning of a cross on their front yard. The Klan figured that now that they have spread their message across the nation, it was time to infiltrate the U.S. Government. They soon had elected officials in States such as Oregon, Colorado, Indiana, Texas and Alabama to name a few. They lost an election in Memphis, but it was only a minor setback.The extent of their power of the KKK in Alabama was such that almost seceded in passing a set of bills which would heavily cripple the Fourth Estate. These bills were called the “muzzling” and they proposed “broadening state liable laws to an unprecedented degree”. The Klan was well aware that the press was the biggest obstacle and its toughest foe; they had to do all they can to limit its power.
So you think the genius minds and brave souls of the press at the time were really going to let this all happen without any opposition? Of course many papers of the time were remarkably frightened to print or report anything negatively on the Klan, but then stood those who never forgot how to their job. Journalist and papers that were not afraid to set the agenda, and were not afraid to stand tall even if it meant standing alone. Journalist who “stood up to the various demons in American Society” and “been willing to expose themselves to more than mere name calling.” These are a 3 of the 10 characteristics of news media that has shaped American history as described by Strietmatter further in his book. Even though the Memphis election was only a minor setback, the KKK first witnessed the power of opposing press towards them. On the day of that election the Commercial Appeal of Memphis printed two striking cartoon images that completely shaped the views of the people towards the KKK in the city. It was no surprise that the KKK official was not elected, and it was also no surprise that the Commercial Appeal also won the Pulitzer Prize that for its ““courageous attitude in the publication of cartoons handling of news reference to the Ku Klux Klan.”” In Alabama the “muzzling bills” were threatening the muscle of the press, and you better believed that Fourth Estate had something to say about that. Grover Cleveland Hall was the editor of the Montgomery Adviser and he was the solitary voice of opposition toward the KKK and their violent and illegal actions. So when the “muzzling” bills were introduced, Hall stood firm in making sure that they did not pass by simply crying out and informing the citizens of what exactly was happening. Hall’s antics started influencing journals across the country like the Milwaukee Journal and the New York Times to stand up and speak out against the KKK, once again setting the agenda. Halls words were striking and very clear; “A ruthless machine, drunk with power and maddened by editorial darts and flings, strikes at its foe the press- and hits the friend of man namely: The constitutional safeguard of freedom.” Hall was awarded the 1928 Pulitzer Prize as well that year, for his bravery and recognition of the actions that had to be taken to ensure democracy prevailed in the nation.
The KKK was once again crippled by the press, but because of their own actions. This major event in the History of the U.S. and the Fourth Estate clearly shows the importance of the press in ensuring that democracy prevails over any enemy. Even if the enemy is powerful, their wrong actions are always countered with a punch way more powerful. Evidently the pen is much mightier than the sword.
This is the Pulitzer Prize, which is journalisms highest honor.Credit to workshopwritter.com
No comments:
Post a Comment