One of the better TV documentaries in recent years. While I usually get annoyed with similar types of this kind of thing - as they often conflate the views of hateful bigots to more mainstream views, in order to vilify them - this is definitely a great one to watch. Intelligent, balanced and uncompromising, this may not be easy viewing, but it is important nonethless.
Perhaps the most obvious thing to praise is the balance that this documentary takes, highlighting that while the KKK is undoubtedly an evil and pernicious organisation, not all of those who join are necessarily evil, and are more often than not feel that there are good things about joining such an organisation. In this case the Missouri chapter of this current iteration is used for this, highlighting that for those who are young who join it, it offers a sense of belonging and stability in an ever increasingly atomised US. Meanwhile, it also highlights how the then recent race riots in Ferguson over the justified shooting of Michael Brown have made this chapter in particular one of the fastest growing in the country, due to how scared people are of the increasing mayhem going on and feel that they are out of answers. This is good, because while it shows that this organisation as the evil stain on society that it is, there are legitimate reasons that people feel compelled to join it. It avoids open full scale condemnation of its participants, and pities them above anything else.
That being said, the show isn't afraid to call out the organisation for its continuingly disgusting behaviour. In particular, it highlights how the KKK overall is still happy to be horribly evil to those it sees as the enemy. Casein point, the doc takes note of the brutal 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr. By KKK members based in Jasper, Texas. That section is rather haunting, and highlights what a dangerous organisation the Klan still is, and could be again if it ever came back to mainstream prominence. Other examples of such behaviour include the head of the Missouri branch openly threatening the Ferguson rioters with violence, and the further acceptance by some of those interviewed of a possible racial conflict in the future, held up by their moronic white supremacist beliefs. It isn't afraid to call out the supposed 'modernisation' of the Klan when such backwards beliefs, often with violent consequences, play out in such a fashion.
Despite how excellent it for the most part is, I feel that there are some niggles. Most notably, there could have been a broader scope as to where such racial hatred comes from in the first place to give it more depth, but that was probably not possible, due to the limitations put on the filmmakers. Meanwhile, the slight skimming over on the events of the Michael Brown shooting is slightly annoying, given how it was more complex than the simple racial dynamics the doc puts out. Also, as a metalhead, the sneering attitude of the presenter about how a Klansman's taste in music is 'out of touch with modern culture' because he prefers heavy metal to rap is slightly insulting, especially in the context of who he's interviewing.
But overall, this is an excellent documentary. It is well balanced, interesting and unafraid to be honest about certain topics. If you want to understand the increasing, and often sadly deadly, racial tensions in the United States as they sit right now, this is perhaps one of the best examinations of such a phenomenon. It isn't always easy viewing, but it is vital in today's climate.
Perhaps the most obvious thing to praise is the balance that this documentary takes, highlighting that while the KKK is undoubtedly an evil and pernicious organisation, not all of those who join are necessarily evil, and are more often than not feel that there are good things about joining such an organisation. In this case the Missouri chapter of this current iteration is used for this, highlighting that for those who are young who join it, it offers a sense of belonging and stability in an ever increasingly atomised US. Meanwhile, it also highlights how the then recent race riots in Ferguson over the justified shooting of Michael Brown have made this chapter in particular one of the fastest growing in the country, due to how scared people are of the increasing mayhem going on and feel that they are out of answers. This is good, because while it shows that this organisation as the evil stain on society that it is, there are legitimate reasons that people feel compelled to join it. It avoids open full scale condemnation of its participants, and pities them above anything else.
That being said, the show isn't afraid to call out the organisation for its continuingly disgusting behaviour. In particular, it highlights how the KKK overall is still happy to be horribly evil to those it sees as the enemy. Casein point, the doc takes note of the brutal 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr. By KKK members based in Jasper, Texas. That section is rather haunting, and highlights what a dangerous organisation the Klan still is, and could be again if it ever came back to mainstream prominence. Other examples of such behaviour include the head of the Missouri branch openly threatening the Ferguson rioters with violence, and the further acceptance by some of those interviewed of a possible racial conflict in the future, held up by their moronic white supremacist beliefs. It isn't afraid to call out the supposed 'modernisation' of the Klan when such backwards beliefs, often with violent consequences, play out in such a fashion.
Despite how excellent it for the most part is, I feel that there are some niggles. Most notably, there could have been a broader scope as to where such racial hatred comes from in the first place to give it more depth, but that was probably not possible, due to the limitations put on the filmmakers. Meanwhile, the slight skimming over on the events of the Michael Brown shooting is slightly annoying, given how it was more complex than the simple racial dynamics the doc puts out. Also, as a metalhead, the sneering attitude of the presenter about how a Klansman's taste in music is 'out of touch with modern culture' because he prefers heavy metal to rap is slightly insulting, especially in the context of who he's interviewing.
But overall, this is an excellent documentary. It is well balanced, interesting and unafraid to be honest about certain topics. If you want to understand the increasing, and often sadly deadly, racial tensions in the United States as they sit right now, this is perhaps one of the best examinations of such a phenomenon. It isn't always easy viewing, but it is vital in today's climate.
