Kid's KKK Halloween costume disrespects the Klan, says KKK leader

"None of this is a joke," commented Imperial Wizard Bradley Jenkins on 7-year-old Jackson Black's costume

Published November 6, 2013 8:56PM (EST)

Jessica Black was just trying to honor her family and its proud tradition of defending white supremacy when she dressed her 7-year-old son Jackson as a Klansman for Halloween this year. But according to Grand Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America, 40-year-old Bradley Jenkins, the ironically-named Black only brought disgrace and shame upon already-misunderstood Klan members.

"There's no respect for the Klan," Jenkins told the Atlantic Wire. "People look at the United Klan as a hate organization... We don't hate anyone. Hate is such a strong word."

Jenkins has attempted to rebrand the UKA -- which has a strong, documented history of violence towards blacks -- as a "pro-American" group that's just a "fraternal white organization." (In case there is any doubt, the Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the UKA as a hate group).

"None of this is a joke," he bemoaned, and whined about the plight of the KKK. "Nowadays we're ostracized," said Jenkins. "[The way people treat us now] is no different than the way people used to treat African Americans years ago."


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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Halloween Costume Hate Groups Kkk Ku Klux Klan Racism Virgina