December 06, 2005

The Story of Claiborne Ellis, Former Klansman. Claiborne Ellis was the Grand Cyclops of the KKK when he met black activist, Ann Atwater. The best of enemies became the best of friends. (Ellis died early last month, at the age of 78). via Halcyon_Daze at Mefi.
posted by StoryBored 19 years ago
  • ...." When the news came over the radio that Martin Luther King was assassinated, I got on the telephone and begin to call other Klansmen... We just had a real party... Really rejoicin' 'cause the son of a bitch was dead. Our troubles are over with. They say the older you get, the harder it is for you to change. That's not necessarily true. Since I changed, I've set down and listened to tapes of Martin Luther King. I listen to it and tears come to my eyes cause I know what he's sayin now. I know what's happenin'."
  • this is good too: "The same thing is happening in this country today. People are being used by those in control, those who have all the wealth. I'm not espousing communism. We got the greatest system of government in the world. But those who have it simply don't want those who don't have it to have any part of it. Black and White. When it comes to money, the green, the other colors make no difference."
  • Great story. Can't believe I'd never heard of him before.
  • Hurray for Studs!
  • And how about some video from C-SPAN? (RealMedia link)
  • I'll be sorry when Studs Terkel dies. That man *is* Chicago.
  • Aw man. I had my students read Stud Terkels story about Ellis this semester. I'll have to let them know he died.
  • No, he's not dead yet. *When* he dies.
  • "I'd go home at night and I'd have to wrestle with myself. I'd look at a Black person walkin' down the street, and the guy'd have ragged shoes or his clothes would be worn. That began to do something to me inside." What a great read.
  • Yeah, Studs Terkel's interview really brings out Ellis' voice.
  • No, I meant Ellis. My students were really inspired by his story, because many of them thought that racism was too hard to change and his story gave them some hope. (It'll be a sad day when Turkel goes, too.)
  • Indoctrination of children is the worst thing that can happen - look at how long it took for him to break from that. The awakening was worth it.
  • meredithea: I used the Terkel essay/interview with Ellis in my tier 1 writing class last fall. Most of the students responded the way yours did.
  • Incredible read. Having been brought up by parents who just plain didn't bring race into any issue, it's always been hard for me to even understand the mindset of someone who would join the KKK. This was an amazing piece of insight. Thanks, StoreyBored.