Chain smoking indoors, flashy attire, extravagant ceremonies, and not so extravagant living quarters is what photographer Peter van Agtmael captured during his time hanging out with members of the KKK.
Although I am Native American Indian and obviously oppose the group and what they stand for, the mystification of the culture is similar to that of my own. You hear about the KKK here and there but we don't notice their presence unless someone is hurt or killed by a member. I place great value on photographing everything, the good bad, ugly, dangerous, and controversial for the public to see and learn from. We often can't rely on mainstream media to visually take us to these places on the outskirts of society. Like my Native culture, no one sees us until photographers choose to go there.
By Peter van Agtmael
The wedding of two members of the KKK in a barn in rural Tennessee. (Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos)
Following the recent tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, I was curious to see the lives of the hate group beyond the violence we watched a few weeks ago. Although the group has been in headlines since the attacks in Virginia, there is little to be found on the lives they live when they aren't out rallying for their beliefs. While their crimes are popular on the news, I think it's important these images by Peter van Agtmael during his time spent with members in their private lives are seen.
The wedding of two members of the KKK in a barn in rural Tennessee. (Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos)
A KKK members puts away his robe after a BBQ and cross lighting/burning ritual in Maryland. (Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos)
A member of the KKK after a cross lighting/burning in Maryland. (Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos)
Photo by Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos
Photo by Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos
Peter Van Agtmael is represented by Magnum Photos. More of his work can be seen on his website.
[via The Washington Post]
Too bad he didn't provide text. These photos aren't particularly useful without context. Two people can look at the same photos and have different reactions. Having lived in rural Tennessee, years ago, I'm sure my reaction is at least a little different from someone's who has never encountered these kinds of people in their daily lives. I'm not in any way defending their prejudices but that's not the whole story.
When you put it that way, the story really becomes that much more interesting, to me at least. I grew up in Tennessee (also in a rural area) for the majority of my childhood through teen years and I would have never even guessed that there were any meetings/rituals/etc. of this sort. Seeing a companion piece, including shots of these same people at home or work, would be fascinating to compare with this one.
My guess is that they didn't give much info as to what the significance of their behavior is. OR he chose not to share it because he wanted you the viewers to see it through your own eyes and form your own raw conclusions from his photography.
When I see photos like these or those taken of ISIS fighters, etc. I always wonder how much of it is real and how much is for the camera. Well, thanks for posting them anyway.
That dog is wearing a KKK cape of some sort! For some reason that takes the seriousness out of it for me...like, you hate minorities but love dogs in little matching outfits. How ridiculous these people are!
I'm not trying to normalize them but most people are ridiculous to some degree or other and they're less so than you think. It's easy to focus on the faults of others, you don't happen to share, and ignore those you do.
Okay Robert, you voted me down. Why do you disagree?
I down voted you because you're response is more to start a debate, which I am not going to entertain, and less about the dog in a KKK cape, which is frightening and hilarious at the same time...dare I say, "frilarious".
So your comment was meant as ??? I don't care anything about the dog because people of all types like or don't like dogs. I understood your point in that regard but don't think it helps to call people ridiculous. It's easy to classify people in a derogatory manner but doesn't help anything. If your only point was the dog, okay. I get it.
"Frilarious" Now that there is funny...I don't care who you are! :-)
Meant as a funny observation only, not a commentary on socio political issues...even though you are trying oh so hard to turn it into one.
Again. I wouldn't have objected except for your use of the word ridiculous. I can't imagine anyone benefits from that. Sorry...
You are objecting to the word ridiculous when used in conjunction with the KKK. Okay then.
This is my last response to this thread as it is becoming increasingly pointless. Best regards.
When engaging people with whom you disagree, for any reason, you should ask yourself, 'Do I want to punish/ridicule them or do I want to change their minds through thoughtful and respectful dialogue?' jmo
Lol, too funny. Yes very ridiculous and pointless. :)
Never make a post about yourself, try to never use, "I." You use it too often, indicating you need a chat group, not a comment forum. I hope that helps.
Not especially. I (sorry) know what you mean but in the case of the post you responded to, I (sorry again) was suggesting anyone should ask themselves what their goals are when engaging others. In that particular case, the "I" is in fact them. How would you have written it?
Furthermore, it seems you are suggesting I (sorry...Wow, it is a problem, isn't it?) not post here. If so, there were probably better examples of the offense for you to respond to. Just my (does "my" count?) two cents.
I hope that helps. :-/ (Wait a minute...you used the word "I" twice in your comment!)
Edit: your comment made me curious so I looked you up. You're that guy who thinks he's a professor and needs to "grade" everyone else's efforts. Now it makes sense.
I agree that the dog cape, the Mountain Dew, the mess, indoor smoking all shows that they have no idea what they're doing. The point of sharing this is to show how little they should be taken seriously perhaps, and how easily they can be stopped if law enforcement chose to do so.
My first reaction to that image based on the description was "Someone is marrying a dog?"
Switch the photos to B&W, add a bit of film grain then we have ourselves some photos straight out of a horror film.
Totally agree, that also makes the dog in a cape much more terrifying, kinda like kids in horror movies.
All we need now is a washed out group photo with everybody staring emotionlessly into the camera while juxtaposing the dark with the innocent by holding a teddy bear or something.
I'm very curious about the KKK's inner lives however I didn't learn anything from these photos. They are not good, demonstrative photos. I was hoping for an intimate glimpse into their lives and hate movement. LOL at Bob Brady in the comments. Dear Bob, I didn't see anything wrong with the author saying s/he is Native American Indian. As usual, non Indigenous Americans getting uncomfortable about that term because of the word NATIVE lol!
LOL @BobBrady doesn't understand why there is a BET channel. Bob Brady thinks that black/brown sectionalism in USA is anti-white/racism. Bob Brady thinks that because USA had a black president, USA is not racist. Oh dear lord. What a good laugh. All hail Bob Brady!
As I wrote before, a long time ago, I lived in an area with a fairly high concentration of people with views sympathetic to the KKK and probably more than a few members. If you sat down and talked with them, you would be very surprised. Very! There's no point in elaborating because, like every cultural group, there were really good people, if ignorant regarding people they're not familiar with, and really bad people, but mostly in between.
So all of them aren't hating racist/anti black/anti semitic? Some actually partake just as a cultural group?
Well, I'm open to that possibility.... because there is no totality in any group of people. Hence it is plausible that not all KKK members are racist and such but...... the foundation of the group is anti black/anti semitic racism, white supremacy and racial segregation etc etc etc. So regardless of whether there are some "good" members, they are still partaking in hate.
I myself am non white, and not racist, but I would never find myself among people of my skin color who propagate hate despite I racially/culturally/religiously relate with them. I won't stand for it.
So while I understand your point..... it fundamentally doesn't make sense because our morals guide our actions. If there are truly good people in the KKK, they wouldn't be there at all. However I also am aware that many white people have a way of turning a blind eye on things like racism, even if they aren't racist themself... so perhaps that is the "good" you are referring to.
Sorry I wasn't clear. I was talking about the "people with views sympathetic to the KKK" more than the members. I don't personally know any members but quite a few people who are in fact "hating racist/anti black/anti semitic". So, yeah, they could be members of the KKK but really, knowing them as I did, a lot of them (not all!) are motivated by fear more than hate. Mob mentality being what it is, it's difficult to distinguish between the two and probably makes no practical difference. For me, though, as a Christian and an overall affable fellow :-) I much prefer to understand people and engage them respectfully in order to influence and hopefully change their views. It actually works more than you might think. Even if I don't see the results, others came before me and still others will pick up where I leave off. I've always heard, and believe it to be true, people need love the most when they deserve it the least. KKK members, and like-minded individuals, deserve it the least.
I am so happy to hear your point of view and reaction to mine. :-)
Ugh, you sound like our president. Maybe you "engage them respectfully" because you know most of them only believe what they do because they were raised that way by their parents, sort of like your reason for believing in something as silly as a God. You can respond 5 more times like I'm sure you will, but I said my peace, lets get back to photography.
There was no peace in your piece.
A very interesting set. Saddens my heart to see people whose lives revolve around hating others. I guess it's just part of the human experience.
Those are some F...ed up looking Rednecks. Instead of hating blacks and Jews, maybe they should turn all that anger towards their own God; He clearly didn't do them any favors.
Please don't say things like that. :-(
Hahaha yes you are so right.
Curiosity isn't quite the feeling I have for this group! All I need to know is where they are so I can fly over them. I love photography. But, not this much.
And these are the best he picked??? Looks like he used an iPhone for his snapshots.
I don't want this guy to photograph my wedding.
I actually like "behind the scenes" photos like the set above. Gives you a real look inside that you do not normally see. Very cult like. I saw a series of images many years ago at a gallery with "inside" photos from some satanic cult....very similar. Also, in a way, reminds me of the Jim Jones cult from the late 70's where everyone "drank the Koolaid". Really makes me wonder why they feel the way they do. Was it a learned behavior or belief that was passed down? I really think people like this are missing something in their life. I could not imagine spending my 75 years (or so) of living carrying all that pent up anger, hate, depression, etc. Very sad circumstance. Very insightful photos
I don't think they're insightful at all. Give this video a look and you'll see what I mean.
https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg
I have to laugh out loud when an American talks about stopping immigration and refraining foreigners from entering their country because they steal their land and jobs. What a joke. Some people seem to have no concept of history or no knowledge about history of their own country.
It is the same here with those idiotic neo-nazis. They usually have no decent education (with exceptions of course), don't have a clue about what the Nazis really were and what horrors they created. Even Europe has been a melting pot for ages. And in the USA it is really, really simple. You are all immigrants with the exception of what they call the Indian tribes (the name Indian being the most hilarious mis nomination of all times of course) since India is but half a world away.
Pretty much every culture and civilization got where they were by taking it from someone else. They then make their own rules. If you study all of history, you'll see that also applies to the individual tribes and nations within Pre-Columbian America. It's not a joke. It's history.
It is in the nature of man.
I enjoyed how he captured the KKK. Of course what these groups stand is just plain crazy and their principles evil. But in America most all try to "tolerate" these kind of hate groups, as long no violence or killing is done. Sort of shocked they would be so open to having themselves photographed. I guess the need to belong or be in a some kind of family creates some odd bed fellows .
Not exactly spellbinding, you can't see KKK outfits without preconceived notions. The rather jovial (though sparsely attended) event, including young women, carries some weight as something different.
These photos are a subset of a group published April 8, 2016 in the Washington Post. They lack a majority of the more interesting ones of the group, I suggest interested people use the link to view the slightly larger set. In that group are three individual portrait shots of a sort, and more confederate flag symbolism. The most effective shot of the group has no person in it but is a bit of KKK kitsch; a small disparaging Anne Frank poster that overawes any humor elicited by the dog in his little outfit.
For the record, the Ku Klux part of KKK is of Ancient Greek origin for "kuklos" meaning circle and so referencing solidarity. The funky outfits are derivative of the Inquisitors of the 13th Century Catholic Church who investigated heresy. The authority for racial supremacy as practiced by the KKK is exactly as that for slavery in the US South before the Civil War, the Old Testament of the Bible. It's a bastardization of bevy of old timey ideas and symbolism.
To be honest, they look like somewhat dumb and not scary. Unless you are hanging on one of their burning crosses. Then they would look very scary.
yeah, these are relatively harmless if you are white. There are far more dangerous gangs.