If you were under the impression that the influence of the Klu Klux Klan in the Confederate South is long dead and gone you were sadly mistaken. The abhorrent and badly-dressed racists claim that they are now as active as ever before in BBC Three’s ‘KKK: The Fight For White Supremacy,’ aired last Monday at 9pm. Brought to you by Dan Murdoch, the man behind ‘Teen Exorcists’ and ‘Transsexual Teen, Beauty Queen,’ the film delves under those infamous white hoods to reveal the chillingly illogical ideology of the Loyal White Knights, a faction of the KKK based in rural Alabama. Bizarre allegations range from claims that Auschwitz was merely a ‘summer camp’, to one man’s ignorant musings that Black Americans are, apparently, the descendants of white humans who mated with apes. A lot of these claims are made by po-faced Klan members solemnly sporting pointy hats (and a lot of really awful beards, you’ll notice.) It’s hard to take these people seriously when they’re wearing shiny green cones on top of their heads and calling their leaders ‘Grand Wizards’. One member tells the camera he is unemployed ‘because of Mexicans.’ Really, Bubba? I think it might be something to do with the bandana and missing teeth. Also, can we take a minute to appreciate how incredibly bad white supremacist music is?

Filmmaker Dan Murdoch strikes a perfect balance between gaining the trust of the Klan members and challenging the views he hears. Sometimes he cannot contain his disbelief; ‘Sorry, you’re telling me Auschwitz was like a summer camp?’ he asks incredulously, ‘But whose history are you reading, where you think it’s a summer camp?’ If it is possible to make light out of all this horribleness, some parts are downright hilarious.

If you hadn’t guessed already, this documentary is not one for the easily upset. Be prepared to scream at your TV screen as one white supremacist makes monkey noises at black protesters. Ugh. That’s not to say you should give this documentary a miss. Without a doubt, ‘KKK: The Fight For White Supremacy’ is a 10/10 start to BBC Three’s Race Season. Cameras follow two opposite ends of the spectrum; the new black panthers amidst the anti-racist groups, and the KKK and other white supremacy gangs. Following the tragic events of the Charleston church shooting last June, race tensions culminate at a rally in South Carolina. Whilst it may temporarily destroy any remaining faith in humanity you have, this thought-provoking film does provide a fascinating insight into modern day race tensions in the Deep South. Probably not the best bet for your average ‘Netflix and Chill’ or a hungover Sunday morning, though. ‘KKK: The Fight For White Supremacy’ is available on iPlayer until the 28th of October.

 
Helen Woodhouse

Featured image from snopes.com.