Klan has a hooded view of its own history

I WAS amazed to read the comments of David Duke and Ray Larsen of the Ku Klux Klan concerning Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s efforts to “to protect the (Irish) people from immigrants” (Irish Examiner, July 15).

Surely they have misread their own history. The KKK is one of the most ferocious organisations opposed to immigration since the American civil war in the 1860s.

Some would like to think their opposition was limited to those from the southern hemisphere, but in fact they were also opposed to immigration of poor Europeans of any kind - including Irish immigrants.

From the 1920s to the 1940s, they led a violent movement particularly opposed to the admittance of any Irish Catholic and, thanks largely to their malign influence, laws were passed restricting the movement and employment of these immigrants in many parts of the USA.

Of course, as the Irish rise to affluence it is all too easy to view those less fortunate than themselves with some disdain. The face of hate does not really care what religion or colour you are. It is enough that you are different.

If you lie with dogs, you’re going to get fleas.

Rod O’Sullivan

Omaha

Nebraska

USA