The Klansman Who Won't Use The N-Word (Ronson)

            In Ronson’s piece, The Klansman who won’t use the N-Word, he is describing how a leader of the Ku Klux Klan is trying to change the image of the Klan.  Ronson mentions that Thom Robb, a leader of the KKK, is trying to change how people outside the Klan perceive the group, so more people join and there will be more support for the goals and ideas of the Klan.  During his speech, Thom states that the n-word is not to be said by Klansmen, the white robes and headpieces are to be only worn on certain occasions and the poor representations that the media conveys of the Klan will not change unless the Klan changes.  Also, Thom makes it clear that the goals of the Klan are still the same, white supremacy, however the way they go about achieving that goal needs to change because their current method isn’t as effective as it used to be.  Ronson is also gesturing towards a wider concern when he talks about the people he met.  He makes sure to state where the people are from and how they have different personalities, showing the different kinds of people who are in the Klan.

            In my opinion the new Klan that Ronson discusses is somewhat of an improvement compared to the old, however it is still not acceptable.  While it is an improvement that Thom wants his Klansmen to not wear the ropes and not say the n-word, all of the ideas that were the cause of the Klan in the first place are still present.  By not using offensive language, the Klansmen can appear on television shows and their quotes can be published.  This is in a way good for the Klan so they create a positive image in the media, however with the same driving force behind the Klan, the message they share may not be appropriate today, even without offensive words.  I thought it was especially confusing when Ronson tried on a Klansman robe and headpiece.  It is ironic that a Jewish person would be willing to wear an outfit of a group that doesn’t approve of his religion.  All in all I thought the piece was interesting because it showed Ronson in a situation that could make him uncomfortable and how the Klan is trying to change their image from many years ago.