Behind the Bastards

The History of American Police and the Ku Klux Klan

24 snips
Jun 23, 2020
In this gripping discussion, hip-hop artist Jason Petty, known as Propaganda, delves into the chilling history linking American policing with the Ku Klux Klan. They explore how the Klan exploited law enforcement to promote their violent agenda and the legacy this leaves on racial dynamics today. The conversation highlights systemic racism, the evolution of policing from slave patrols, and the Klan's harsh tactics against marginalized communities. Propaganda emphasizes the need for an honest reckoning with this dark history as we strive for justice and equality.
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ANECDOTE

Cops and Klan

  • Protesters chant "cops and klan go hand in hand", echoing Rage Against the Machine's lyrics.
  • This reflects a real history, not just a catchy rhyme.
INSIGHT

Reconstruction and White Supremacy

  • Reconstruction (1865-1877) saw Black Americans gain political power, including elected offices.
  • White supremacists reacted negatively to this shift.
ANECDOTE

Vagrancy Laws and Sharecropping

  • Vagrancy laws were used to force Black people into sharecropping, a system akin to slavery.
  • These laws criminalized being jobless, giving employers immense power.
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