Mark Small

KKK had power in Indiana Some stood up 2 its masked thugs, but Stephenson’s murder of Madge Oberholzer disgraced KKK nationally & opened eyes of many decent Hoosiers who had been hoodwinked by KKK phony appeal to morality Id., pp. 216-17. 4/14

KKK still has members. White nationalism is the manure in which its roots are sunk. For that matter, white nationalism is the manure of which the KKK is made. Its racists have ebbed in numbers, but the past few years have seen a rally. 5/14

KKK is evil. I thought any rational person in this country understood this as a maxim. I was shocked when, after the far-right rally in Charlottesville, the current occupant of the Oval Office said there were fine people on both sides. 6/14

KKK represents evil. I would ask the other GOP candidates for U.S. House from Indiana’s 5th Congressional District to join me in saying simply: “KKK is a hate organization.” That’s all. If we candidates unite and say this it will mean a lot. 7/14

KKK arose, in large part, as a reaction to Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War. The GOP was a force behind Reconstruction. That means someone who really is GOP should agree that KKK is evil. 8/14

KKK is not alone, but of any hate group in Indiana, its history is longest & most pungent. It gained strength from people disillusioned & impoverished after WWI. Its rise here can teach us lessons we do not want to repeat. 9/14

KKK infected us a hundred years ago. Centennials are supposed to celebrate good things. The only good thing that happened occurred with Stephenson’s conviction. He should not be remembered for doing “good” for that event. 10/14

Madge Oberholzer - her name deserves to be repeated & known - died & brought down KKK. If we have a Centennial in this regard, it should be 2025 - a time of mourning for an involuntary martyr and a REAL Hoosier Great. 11/14