An editorial written in support of the Ku Klux Klan is something you might expect to see in 1919, but definitely not today. Believe it or not though, you can see it in 2019, and it has been published by a newspaper’s own editor.
A small-town newspaper has called for a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, with the shock headline “The Klan Needs to Ride Again,” appearing in the Feb. 14 edition of the Democrat-Reporter, based in Linden, Alabama.
“Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again,” begins the editorial, written by Goodloe Sutton. “Democrats in the Republican Party and Democrats are plotting to raise taxes in Alabama.”
The editorial prompted two universities — Auburn University and the University of Southern Mississippi — to rescind previous honors for Sutton, editor and publisher of The Democrat-Reporter.
Sutton told the Montgomery Advertiser he stands by his Feb. 14 editorial. During an interview, Sutton suggested lynching as a way to clean up Washington, saying, “We’ll get the hemp ropes out, loop them over a tall limb and hang all of them.”
Sutton stressed that he wasn’t calling for the hangings of all Americans, just the “socialist-communists,” and when questioned whether the KKK is violent, he claimed it “didn’t kill but a few people.”
Sutton’s editorial and comments sparked outrage, and Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones has called for Sutton to resign.
“OMG! What rock did this guy crawl out from under? This editorial is absolutely disgusting & he should resign -NOW!” Jones tweeted out. “I have seen what happens when we stand by while people-especially those with influence- publish racist, hateful views. Words matter. Actions matter. Resign now!”
Democratic Alabama lawmaker, Rep. Terri Sewell, also urged Sutton to resign and reminded people of the horrors of the Klan.
“For the millions of people of color who have been terrorized by white supremacy, this kind of ‘editorializing’ about lynching is not a joke — it is a threat,” Sewell tweeted.
By: Maytinee Kramer
