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tv   CNN Special Report  CNN  August 11, 2018 6:00pm-7:00pm PDT

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>> for those who'd lived through segregation, lived through the civil rights era, it felt like the fulfillment of everything they thought the country could be. when something seems impossible and suddenly it's achieved, it's beyond words. it's still a shock to me. >> it's been a long time coming. but tonight change has come to america. >> a new episode of "the 2000s," "yes, we can" airs tomorrow night at 9:00 eastern here on cnn. thanks for watching. "united shades of america" with w. kamau bell starts right now. when we first pitched this show, you should know the whole
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idea behind this show is that it's a show where a black guy goes places either he shouldn't go or you wouldn't expect him to go. and we're like oh, where should we go? i was like, i don't know, maybe i should go talk to the ku klux klan. that was their reaction. [ laughter ] that was exactly -- hmm. then it got quiet for a long time. but i could tell it was that kind of quiet where they were like that might be good for ratings. but kamau might die. but that might be really good for ratings. [ laughter ] when i pitched the ku klux klan idea i didn't think they'd actually let me do it. you know what i mean? i was just trying to be edgy and get the job. and i thought we'd negotiate it down to like the rodeo. [ laughter ] you know what i mean? let him ride the horse. horses are weird. i thought we'd end up there. but i never thought in a million years that cnn would let me go talk to the kkk. but they did. >> my name is w. kamau bell. as a comedian i've made a living finding humor in the parts of america i don't understand. and now i'm challenging myself to dig deeper.
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i'm on a mission to reach out and experience all the cultures and beliefs that add color to this crazy country. this is "the united shades of america." ♪ learning about america means sometimes reaching across the aisle. and this week i'm reaching way across the aisle to the ku klux klan. hopefully, when i'm done reaching i still have my hand. my first stop in this what the hell am i thinking tour is to meet with an arkansas leader of the kkk. according to kkk rhetoric, there's a new klan in town. they're no longer anti-black. they're just pro-white. and nothing says new klan like hanging out with a black dude. for those of you tuning in to racism late, here's a quick
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refresher. the klan was initially founded after the civil war by a group of confederate soldiers who were all like, dang, but we wasn't finishing oppressing black folks yet. since then, whenever it looked like black folks were getting too uppity, the klan came back. after the great depression. during the civil rights movement. and then recently after this happened. >> and cnn can now project that barack obama, 47 years old, will become the president-elect of the united states. >> but that black guy isn't headed down a dark road at night. this black guy is. i'm here to meet with an arkansas leader of the ku klux klan. how come this can't happen during the day again? >> all right. there's a car with the headlights on.
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if that's him, he'll blink his headlights. [ exhaling ] let's go. >> this guy said he was coming alone. why did i believe him? camera crew or not, this seems like a bad idea. >> when you hear my voice, it's going to be disguised, right? >> absolutely. >> and i'm going to let you know, i'm the imperial wizard of the international keystone knights of the ku klux klan. >> imperial wizard of the international keystone knights of the ku klux klan. >> yes, sir. i'm president of the organization. >> you're the president. >> mm-hmm. >> first of all, thanks for meeting with me. >> okay.
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>> i guess my first question is klan historically, as i'm sure you know, has been a group associated with violence. >> i'm not associated with violence. >> i know. but i'm saying historically. >> we have to look at the klan in the 21st century. >> don't you think that by wearing the same robes it's hard to separate the two different klans? >> i have an opportunity to wear a klansman's robe. why? because i'm white and i believe in the ideas, rituals and beliefs of the ku klux klan. i was raised that way. this is always going to be klan regalia. >> all right. >> there's no ifs, ands or buts about it. so we understand each other. >> yes. >> the klan has a purpose in life. and that is to recruit qualified christians that are of good moral character standing. >> what means qualified? what qualifies someone -- >> must be white and you must be a christian. jews will never be in the klan. they're a dirty race. we are a white race. i'm proud of my race. i'm proud to be white. are you proud to be a black man? >> i am proud to be a black man. >> me too. you're a black man. did you marry a black woman? >> i'm married to a white woman. >> you know what the bible says
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about racial marriages. an abomination of sin. >> on the list of sins where is interracial marriage? there's like murder -- is interracial marriage equal to that? >> it would be above because it's an abomination. >> so it's worse than murder? >> yeah. >> i wish we could have this discussion on a sun yea day in a coffee shop where i could buy you a piece of pie and you didn't have the mask on and we could talk about these same things on an equal level. >> that's not going to happen. this is part of the history of the klan. >> this is the history of the past of the klan and you want to stay there. what is the future of america if the klan has its say? >> the only way you're going to know the true ideas, rituals and beliefs of the ku klux klan is get involved. obviously you can't. you're black. >> yeah, it's going to be hard for me to get involved. >> somebody else will come along after i'm dead and gone and fill my shoes and continue on what we're doing. it's going to evolve. >> one day i hope it evolves, it can involve a mouth hole because sometimes it's hard to understand you. maybe cut the mouth open?
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>> that might be a possibility. >> okay. one step at a time. >> we can be found at -- www.ikkkkk.org slash. >> www dot? >> www dot ikkkkk dot org slash. five k's. dot org. forward slash. >> have a good evening. drive safe. >> yes, sir. >> yep. i just told a klansman to drive safely. i should have just said "y'all don't come back now, you hear?" >> let's get out of here. >> yeah, the current era of the ku klux klan talks bhabout how they evolved from the last era of the klan. which is really weird because they use the word evolve. but because they're good christians they don't believe in evolution. you know what i'm saying? we've evolved. but people don't evolve. people stay the same.
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but we've evolved. it's like the evolution chart. like the evolution chart we start out as monkeys. then we get like a neanderthal. then we're like this. i feel like the klan evolved from like this to like this. you know? just like -- and now they're down here. it's just a series of angrier and angrier monkeys upset about the rest of us walking around on our hind legs. you know what i'm saying? [ laughter ] unlimited ways to be you. unlimited ways share with others. unlimited ways to live for the moment. all for as low as 30 bucks a line. unlimited for you. for them. for all. get unlimited for as low at 30 bucks per line for four lines at t-mobile.
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my dbut now, i take used tometamucil every day.sh it traps and removes the waste that weighs me down, so i feel lighter. try metamucil, and begin to feel what lighter feels like. ♪ i met a ku klux klan member by the side of a dark road. yay. all my bucket list dreams are coming true. [ laughter ] but yeah, the new klan is sort of like they're diminished from the last klan. i mean, it's like when you go see one of the classic-era motown bands now. you know what i mean? you know what i'm saying? like you go see -- i went to see the temptations like a few years ago. and it's not the same. that's like the klan. it's not the same. i once saw the temptations. used to be five guys.
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now it's four. you know, it's not the original guys because one of them's white and the other dude's in his 20s. [ laughter ] the only guy who's an original member of the temptations is so old he's sitting on a stool the whole time. dancing his ass off. [ laughter ] ain't too proud to beg. so i think i can't just judge the klan by this one dude. i've got to go talk to more klan members. which is the first time a black guy's ever said that sentence in life. [ laughter ] >> my next stop on the "where are they now" klan edition is dawson springs, kentucky. walking the streets, it feels like any quaint southern working-class town. but for decades the kkk and their neo-nazi buddies have used a property just outside of town for their rallies. and tonight the klan has invited me to witness an actual cross burning. yep. i'm a kkk vip. but first, let me talk to the locals. and see if they know that the ku
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klux klan is still in the hood. >> it's a good place to live, good place to raise kids. it's about as close to modern mayberry as you can get. >> modern mayberry. would you recommend a black guy like myself buy a house around here? >> sure. sure. you'd fit right in, i'm sure. >> right in? >> yeah. >> we have heard there's still like a klan presence, like a kkk presence. has that happened here? >> years ago dawson did have kind of a bad reputation. small town. it's just totally just disappeared. >> okay. >> now -- >> it's been over for years. >> do you see black people around here ever? >> whenever i was growing up there wasn't really a lot because the kkk's like headquarters are just right down the road. i see them around town when i work at dairy queen down there. >> it's funny because you're the youngest person we've talked to and we talked to some older people in town and they said -- like somebody said the klan hasn't been here for 50 years. >> no, they're -- >> they were trying to put a good face on it. >> they just wasn't open about it like they were in the past. >> what if i was to go down that road today? would that be a good idea? would that be a bad idea? >> i wouldn't be scared of it. >> i didn't say you.
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i said me. >> and just like that, i'm off to see the wizards. ♪ going down a one-way road ♪ to see a cross burn >> i'm meeting with the nordic order knights of the ku klux klan. these guys claim to be progressive. i guess if you want to convince people you're new and improved then you let a black man watch you burn a cross. crazy. but i'll keep an open mind. i can't let go of my liberal bias for tolerance. as i turn onto the klan property, i'm greeted by a semi-automatic rifle. >> straight up there. right about in there. >> okay. thank you. >> yep. >> i said thank you. i was going to say thank you for not killing me. one of those thank you for not killing me with your big gun, sir thank yous.
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oh, this was -- i've had some dumb ideas, but this is -- >> imperial wizard nordic order knights. >> kamau bell. >> nice to meet you. >> nice to meet you. >> would you like to come over have a seat? >> sure. absolutely. >> no, not really. but we might as well start with some small talk. >> well, this is kentucky, man. it's hot. >> yes, sir. >> a lot of salt of the earth of americans. >> yeah, yeah. >> and the ku klux klan. >> and the ku klux klan. now, is it -- i would imagine it's especially hot in these robes. >> oh, it's horrible. >> it's a sacrifice. the whole premise behind the mask is to show that we're equal. the mask makes us all equal in each other's eyes.
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>> so what do african-americans think about the klan? >> obviously, black people and the klan have had issues, to put it lightly. you know, me coming out here to talk to you guys is not something my mother dreamed of. >> no. >> so you know, obviously that's a thing. and i respect the fact you're letting me come out here and i also respect the fact you're letting me leave. >> i can tell you nordic order knights is a direct action group. if you come at us we're going to come back at you. we are not politically correct whatsoever. if you try to hurt one of our members, we will hurt you. >> mm-hmm. i understand. >> don't let me sugar-coat anything. >> no, i understand. >> we're pro-white, 100%. we only work on our race. >> mm-hmm. >> the other mud races, leave us alone. that's all i've got to tell you is just leave us alone. >> mud races? there's got to be a funny comeback for that. i've got nothing. let me try talking to the other imperial wizard here.
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jim shealy's not covering his face. finally, a klansman with high self-esteem. >> have you had black people here before to witness this? >> no. you'll actually be the first black man that's attended to a cross lighting. >> okay. >> the first thing that any man or woman learns when they join a klan group is how to wrap the cross. these robes are part of who we are. the cross lighting is part of who we are. >> so when you burn a cross you don't -- >> no, we don't burn it. it's called a cross lighting. >> i'm sorry. so how often do you do this, you said? >> you wouldn't want to do them every month. it makes them less special. it's like the idea you can have champagne but you're not going to have it every day. one of the nicest times to do it is during a full moon or in the winter when the stars are -- you know, twinkle. >> that sounds kind of like a klan postcard. >> yeah, it does. if i was going to send out postcards at christmas i would want something like that for -- >> if you do that, jim, you don't have to give me credit for the idea. >> while these guys wrap the cross for burning -- i'm sorry, lighting. let me see if klanny smurf has calmed down any.
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>> what do you love about the white race? what do you have pride about? >> god created us and i truly feel god's creation was perfect. it tells us not to mingle our seeds with the beasts of the field. you don't take a champion race horse and mate it to a mule. okay? because the offspring is not no longer champion. it is now mongrelized. you're dumbing down your children. >> do you feel like that we have -- that our iqs are at an even -- >> i believe we're having a great dialogue according to -- >> please don't dumb it down for me. i don't want you to feel like -- i'll try to keep up. please don't. >> we follow the teachings of the lord. and if the lord says it's bad then we will say it's bad. >> now, i know the bible also says you're not supposed to eat lobster and i've violated that one many times. >> i violated it last night at red lobster. >> you went to the house of ill repute. >> i had the ultimate feast. all shellfish. >> so we're all sinners. >> so i'm going to hell. i'm going to hell. >> okay.
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>> but like i was saying earlier, everybody has a place in this nation. i would just like to see a separate white nation. if you take a bag of skittles -- >> yes. >> -- there's different colors in that bag. you can mix the colors and it still tastes okay. >> yeah. >> but if you separate the colors and then taste the individual flavors, it's even better. >> so are you telling me that when you have a bag of skittles you separate all the colors before you eat them? >> every time. >> i'm waiting on a klansman to bring me some kerosene so i can soak it. >> what do you have to do to get a klansman some kerosene? >> i know, man. >> so you cut down trees for the crosses. >> yes, sir. some people do metal crosses. >> it's like a plastic christmas tree. it just doesn't have the same feel. >> for me it don't. >> what about going down to home depot and buying the wood? does anybody do that? >> we tried that before, and the wood goes up pretty fast. >> don't get your cross at home depot for the cross lighting. >> we don't have anything against home depot. >> we're not racist against home depot whatsoever. >> i love that you have a
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sensitivity around home depot. >> absolutely, man. a little more. not so fast, man. dude, you're going real fast. you're going to lose a lot of fuel. go ahead and help him out. we call it klansman's cologne. most of the robes i have have kerosene on them. except for this one. >> you want to keep this one nice. >> yeah, i do, man. it's satin. >> what's a good price on a klan robe? >> $125. >> $125. >> yes, sir. >> klansmen, you're going to be in this ceremony, let's go. >> it was almost time for the cross lighting. >> gentlemen, let's get this cross up in the air. >> i know what you're thinking. is it rude of me not to help? capital one and hotels.com are giving venture cardholders 10 miles on every dollar they spend at thousands of hotels. brrrr! i have the chills. because of all those miles? and because ice... is cold. what's in your wallet? ancestrydna can open you to a world of new cultures to explore.
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♪ do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansman, do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansman, do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. we're not going to the cross burning yet. no, no. not in the middle of the show. i'm not dumb. that's the big closer. [ laughter ] i can't just throw the cross burning out there in the middle of the show. you can't follow a cross burning. what follows a cross burning? i actually don't want to know. i don't want to know, actually. i'd rather never know. i don't ever want to know what follows a cross burning. [ laughter ] >> don't worry, we'll get to the cross burning later. but first, if you search the internet for kkk, some of the
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top stories you'll find are about a small town you've probably never heard of. so i'm headed back to arkansas. the town of harrison has a population that is 96% white. and it's known for still having an active ku klux klan presence. what kind of vibe will i get here? will i see some kind of sign of modern-day racism? >> ta-da. >> the controversial billboard up in harrison in northern arkansas sparking nationwide controversy. it's sparked local outrage, some calling it racist. people say this billboard reminds them of a very unpleasant time in their town's history. >> i need to talk to somebody about the billboard, and this lady will do. she's patty methvin, president of the harrison chamber of commerce. >> it broke my heart first. after i cried for a little while and kind of had a little hissy fit, then we started working on what do we do? how do you counter a billboard
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that doesn't have an author? >> yes. because there's no website. there's no name. there's nobody claiming credit. there's no address. it's just a billboard. >> it's just the billboard. >> now, the people of harrison don't actually know who's responsible for this sign. but if i was placing a bet, i'd guess this guy. >> harrison became a better place to live without its negroes. >> the guy so racist he pronounces negroes "nigroes." pastor thomas robb is the leader of the knights party of the ku klux klan, a powerful local kkk group with a large internet presence. robb has been known for years for his attempts to soften the image of the kkk. it's a stab at 21st century rebranding. >> i don't hate black people. but i do love my people more. >> robb has replaced the white hood with a suit and a tie, but the message is still the same. >> because diversity is a code word for white genocide. think about your ancestors and this heritage that has been given to you. look at the blood that flows
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through your veins. it is the same blood that was in the veins of your ancestors for a thousand generations. >> for many years nobody really said anything against him. so the assumption is that most people in harrison must agree because we never said that he doesn't speak for us. we don't think that we're perfect. we believe that we probably have the same amount of racists as most communities. >> that's good to know. no more, no less. but you just have one very loud one. >> this is what he does, 24/7. >> hi, guys, i want to introduce you to our guest today. this is kamau bell. >> hi. >> hi. >> i'm just going to hug you. >> patty is part of a task force that is working to counter what she says is thomas robb's agenda. to discourage anyone who's not white from moving into town. >> as i'm driving into town, there's this sign that seems like it's telling me to turn around. you know. >> that's a victory for them. that's exactly what they want. you know, they didn't even have
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the bravery to put their name on it. so it's almost cowardly. >> and who do you think it is? >> it's a family business. it's what they do. >> this man thomas robb. >> they not only know who he is. thomas robb knows all about the task force too. >> we've been attacked as a group. we've been attacked personally, individually. >> the main personality behind the task force is carrie and caroline and lane. it is this white guilt which has taken your spirit -- >> if you meet him in town, he's very meek and mild. he would probably stop and help you change your tire. not many -- i don't know about you. but he would -- [ laughter ] let me rephrase that. he would stop and help me change my tire. >> okay. >> but his job is hate speech. that's what he does for a living. they have several businesses that they run out of their compound, i guess, their -- >> compounds never sound like good times. i can tell you right now, most big cities white people aren't having this conversation. no. a group of mostly white people
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♪ harrison, arkansas. a town with a reputation for racism. but is that reputation fair?
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i mean, come on. what town doesn't have a reputation for racism? i'm going to talk to the people about this. >> wait a minute. okay. wait a minute. i have to talk to you. please just say what you said again when you saw me. >> it's so nice to see a person of color in my town. >> oh, my. can i give you a hug? >> sure. >> oh, thank you. >> what do you think about the town? do you like it? >> i like this town. this is a pretty decent town. >> would you say this is a warm and welcoming town? >> yes. we'd welcome you just like we welcome anybody else. but the way that this world's coming to, the only hope is in jesus. >> i really appreciate your passion, and i appreciate you putting your arm around me right now. i'm going to put my arm around you because i appreciate you. >> i was having a lack of black in my life. i appreciate it. having a blackout. you know what i mean? how do you feel living in this town? does it bother you? is there any problems? >> no. >> not at all? >> it does not bother me. >> no racism? it's all friendly? >> yes. >> let me ask you a question.
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i have heard about this gentleman in town named thomas robb. he talks as if he's speaking for harrison. >> he's not. i'd say if you took a survey 99% of the people that live here wish he would shut up. >> okay. thomas robb, have you heard that name before, first of all? >> yes. >> you kind of look like i said lord voldemort. you got really -- like don't say it three times, he might show up like beetlejuice. >> this town is real peaceful. and any drama that people want to bring here, it's not right. it's just not right. >> there i was, harrison, arkansas. and i heard all about this guy thomas robb. he's the leader of what is apparently the knights of the ku klux klan. it's so racist that the kkk added a fourth k just to -- took up the racism a notch. this is the kkkk. [ laughter ] i was like i've got to meet this guy. i had to call him up and go hey, man, can i come to your creepy compound? i didn't actually call him up. that would be weird.
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and i didn't say creepy compound. i actually had one of the producers call him up because he's got a way better white guy voice than i do. because he's a white guy. my white guy voice sucks. i'm like "what up, brother?" [ laughter ] nobody buys that. so thomas robb was like why don't me and your host go out to lunch? and then if i like him then he can come to my compound. which so now i'm in this weird position where i'm going to lunch with a ku klux klan member and i have to impress him. [ laughter ] racism, you know what i'm saying? >> kamau. >> yes, sir. >> nice to meet you. >> nice to meet you. >> tom robb. >> thanks for coming. >> oh, no problem at all. glad to be here. >> i appreciate you showing up. >> i hope i picked a good place to eat. >> i hope so, yes. we'll find out. >> weirdly, this guy didn't seem so bad. for a klansman. >> okay. so can you just lay it out for
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me, your belief system? because i know you consider yourself to be part of the new klan. >> first off, the klan to me is just a tool to reach people. i feel that it gives the biggest bang for the buck. >> okay. >> and that's why i joined the klan. but my personal belief. okay? is that black people cannot maintain law and order on their own. >> really? >> that's my personal belief. >> and why do you think that is? >> white people have a -- have an inner drive for discipline and law and order. >> all white people? >> no, not all white people. some are really trash. >> all right. as long as -- okay. all right. as long as we agree with that, yeah. >> but i sincerely believe that if people of my character and racial integrity were in charge your communities would be safe again. just we're different people. you know? and we come from different worlds.
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and you're happier, i suspect, among your own world. >> i am happier amongst my own people. but they're multiple races and multiple -- >> so you're comfortable with a multiracial society. >> absolutely. yes. >> and i am not. and a lot of people are not. you i still have a right to love my people. >> absolutely. >> and love my heritage. without somebody calling me a racist and hater and a bigot. and trying to marginalize me by name calling. >> but the task force wants to promote diversity in town. and how do you feel about that? >> why do they want to do that? i mean, there are many, many places already that are multicultural, multiracial. why don't they move to one of those places? >> i think for the same reason that you've been here for so long. they like this community. >> why is it that white people can't have a community? >> i think white people have a lot of communities, sir. >> i know, but -- >> there's one called america. >> if they want to preserve it, they feel they have to have --
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move minorities in. >> so if i moved into this town and doubled the black population, how would you feel about that? because you know me. i'm nice. we're talking. if i brought 35 more mes to this town and we all moved in, how would you feel about that? >> if that's what you want to do go for it. >> okay. but i hear you say go for it. >> i don't have control over those things. >> i appreciate you giving me permission. i'm kidding. >> i understand. >> but how would you feel about that? would you feel like because we're getting along, we're having a good time -- >> i'm not taking you home for dinner. >> i would invite you to -- would you come to my house? >> no. >> why not? why is that? >> i like being around my own kind. >> but what if i had white people there? >> i have no desire. >> you have no desire. i'm a good cook. >> anyway. >> the bad news. i completely lost my appetite. the good news, pastor robb has invited me out to visit his compound. wait, that's good news?
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>> why is it these klan people all live down creepy country roads? 15 miles outside of harrison, and i feel like i'm in season 1 of "true detective." >> i wonder if a black man has ever been this far down this road. >> in addition to pastor robb, i've also been promised time with his daughter, knights party national organizer rachel pendergraft, co-host of robb's kkk internet show. >> i'm rachel pendergraft, welcome to another edition of "this is the klan." >> i'm also going to get to meet this guy. former neo-nazi billy roper. >> raise your hand if you're a white person and proud to be so. >> yeah! >> in recent years billy's become anakin to pastor robb's even more evil emperor palpatine. >> a lot of us have to work jobs with muds. we see muds on the streets all the time. we have to live with [ bleep ] skins. how do we make sure they never
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have to go to school with any [ bleep ] or spics or gooks? if i had the answer, then whites would be -- i'm not a white separatist. i'm a non-white extinctionist. >> what's an old school hater like billy roper doing with mr. new klan thomas robb? and what have i gotten myself into? >> i hope this is the right klan compound. that would suck. >> and look who's waiting for me. former neo-nazi billy roper. >> yes, we did. we got a little lost. >> billy roper. >> hello, billy. kamau bell. nice to meet you. >> nice to meet you too. >> billy wants to chat before bringing me inside to meet with pastor robb. here's an appropriate setting for a discussion on hate. a kids' playground. >> tell me, how did you get involved with this, with pastor robb? >> i am actually involved as the
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membership coordinator for the knights party crusader youth corps. >> that's right. the man who said this -- >> if i had the answer all non-whites would be [ bleep ] dead. >> is now teaching kids. >> hi and welcome to the white youth focus tv show. >> can people who look like us still be our enemy? >> well, of course. we believe that homosexual -- homosexuality is wrong and you shouldn't race mix. then there's all the other people that are traitors and believe that it's right. >> you know, i think it's crucial that people in my position do everything we can to educate white youth about our perspective on american history. all of our founding fathers were white. america was not established to be a melting pot. >> if america wasn't established to be a melting pot, why did they bring so many black people over here with them when they established it? >> they never intended them to be citizens or equals. >> if they hadn't brought us in the first place you would have never had this problem.
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>> i agree. and i wish my ancestors had picked their own cotton. >> you and me both, sir. that we can agree on. >> so the only way to undo that original sin is repatriation. >> so that means sending the black people back to africa? >> if they're not content or can't find a peaceable geographical separation here in the united states, that might be an option. >> okay. all right. well, i'm up here and i see this beautiful playground and i think about the fact that my daughter if she was with me would like to play on this playground. would that be acceptable? >> well, you know, there are millions of majority black neighborhoods in the united states that my daughter could not play in today because of the violence, because of the drugs, because of the color of her skin. so no. sometimes it's better for people to have their own places to play. >> all right. >> not just a racist. also kind of a jerk. >> this is the church. welcome. >> thank you. >> and we'll have an opportunity to join pastor robb and rachel inside. >> great.
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>> come on in. >> hello. >> hello. >> howdy. >> how are you? >> rachel, this is kamel. >> kamau. >> hi. nice to meet you. this is our conference hall. and we do have church services here. we have some nice families and, you know, a lot of young people and children and so forth. >> what else do you do up here? >> well, we operate our internet television news program. >> ah, yes, robb's web series. not ready for prime time. or any time. >> you and i are in a race war today and the blacks are and the minorities are winning. >> the whole point of black history month is to make white people feel guilty. >> white people are not going to walk quietly away into the night. >> so now i get to watch an actual taping of their next episode. right there on set. and that's rachel's young son running the whole operation. they gave us permission to show his face, but we're going to blur it anyway. i still have hope for him. >> three, two, one.
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>> hello. this is thomas robb, national director of the knights party. >> hello and i'm rachel pendergraft. welcome to another edition of "this is the klan." and there's a lot of news going on this week. there's an attack on law and order in general. now, i noticed that seems kind of humorous to you. >> cut just for a second. i just -- you guys are doing great. i just think if you guys talk more to the camera out here. you're just talking to -- it's just me and you. and i hope my black presence isn't disturbing. >> that's okay. >> you want to invite the viewer at home in. that's all i'm saying. >> so we can officially say now that this wonderful black man has given us technical advice to make our show even better. >> yes. see? even that was better. you were talking right to me. it was like i was right there at the taping with you. >> absolutely. >> let's do this, invite us in, smile with your eyes. just like tyra says. >> it's a family event for white pride. >> so when you say white pride, it sounded like you were like white pride. we need to feel it. you know, just put a little more. that's all.
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all right. >> and until next week. >> remember, this is the klan. and this is the truth. ta-da. >> i like the subtitle. this is the klan and this is the truth. and if there was a jingle that popped in right there, that would be amazing. >> all right. enough of the showbiz. what do they have to say about my friends on the harrison task force on race relations? >> what they're trying to do is forcibly diversify our community. and we don't think and a lot of people in the harrison community don't think that making harrison more like west africa is an improvement. >> wouldn't harrison have to go pretty far to be more like west africa? >> we want business owners in harrison to understand that they don't have to feel pressure of being bullied by the task force. >> and how do you mean bullied, just to be clear? >> for instance, somebody put a sign up on the highway in harrison, "anti-racist is a code word for anti-white." we still to this day, we don't know who put the sign up. >> but can we all just agree that it seems unfriendly? just as a -- >> i don't see it that way. >> you don't see it that way? >> no. >> so would you be fine if the sign came down? >> absolutely not. the sign has been a success.
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>> like when i drive into town and i see that sign, anti-racism equals anti-white, it makes me feel like as a guy who's not from this community driving into this community i should probably drive through this community. >> when i say racist, can you honestly tell me you don't see a white person? >> i can honestly tell you that. >> really? >> i have black relatives who are racist. >> then i would say that you're probably in the minority of african-americans. >> i would say you're probably in the minority of african-americans. because when people think of racism they have been programmed to think of white people. so therefore, anti-racism really is anti-white. >> for one person turned off by the ad there might be 100 or 1,000 who said hey, i think i want to come to harrison and maybe even move to harrison. >> did you guys put the sign up? >> yeah. no. >> did you say yeah? i think you said yeah. are you sure? this is my hard-hitting question phase. are you sure? >> i didn't put the sign up. >> okay. all right. fair enough. >> hmm, pastor robb's pretty firm. but what about billy? i wonder if he knows who put the
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sign up. >> they say they're anti-racist. but what they are is anti-white. and that's why anti-racist is a code word for anti-white. >> way to go, gumshoes. i think we just cracked the case. (thomas) nice choices! you see, now verizon lets you mix and match your family unlimited plans like you mix and match your flavors. so you get what you want, without paying for things you don't. number 6. i know. where do i put it? in my belly. (vo) one family. different unlimited plans. starting at $40 per line on the network you deserve. i saw my leg did not look right. i landed. i was just finishing a ride.
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i appreciate it -- >> it's not a compound. >> i'm sorry. to your church. thank you for welcoming me to your church. and you know, next week i'll bring my friends and we'll have a barbecue. >> probably not. >> okay, all right. >> bye-bye. >> drive careful. >> thomas robb and his new klan may not be as scary as the old klan, but i still wouldn't want them living on the outskirts of my town. by wearing a suit and tie, by presenting hate speech as folksy news, he's trying to take the kkk mainstream again. and that's way more dangerous than any group wearing a hood and hiding in the shadows. but unless he picks up some ryan seacrest tv skills, i don't see it happening. this here is the real story of harrison, arkansas. it's the story of people like these who are fighting back against the ignorance of racism. >> i didn't think this town would be embracing of the ignorance, but i didn't know that there would be such a spirit against it.
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>> when you can see our hearts, that helps more than anything. >> yeah. >> after all this i've learned that despite what we think, the klan is real. they're out there. they're not the same as they used to be anymore. they're not as strong as they used to be. the klan is at this point kind of like myspace. [ laughter ] like, it's still out there. they're still recruiting. and they're always like we're going to be back to where they were. but they're not. they're not. [ laughter ] and i found out that the ku klux klan with all their talk of rebranding is still basically the same klan and they're still doing things that are scary. like sometimes they gather in the woods and burn a cross while a black guy watches. >> klansmen, surround the cross. >> klansmen, do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansman, do you accept the
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light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansman, do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansman, do you accept the light of jesus christ? >> i accept the light. >> klansmen, march. klansmen, halt. face the cross. for god. >> for god! >> for country. >> for country! >> for kentucky. >> for kentucky! >> the klan claims this is a symbol of god's love. but i'm not feeling the love right now. >> klansmen, approach the cross. do not turn your back to the cross. >> holy shit.
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>> klansmen, behold the fiery cross. still brilliant, though history has failed to quench its hollow flames. it shall glow as bright as the morning sun, for all decades to be held in the hearts of all klansmen. it shall light from sea to sea. the cross is an inspiration, a sign of the christian religion. it's a symbol of faith, hope, and love. we do not burn but light the cross to signify that christ is the light of the world and that in his light it destroys darkness. beneath this fiery cross we glory in its sacred glow. this is where my oath was made. as long as we give thanks to god every day, we shall never perish from this earth. we shall never die. they may try to destroy us, but the ku klux klan has been here for 150 years. i want to go for another 150 years.
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let's go. white power! >> white power! ♪ >> i realize this new klan isn't as powerful as the old klan. but there is an undeniable power to this image that is even more undeniable when you see it up close. i actually feel lucky. unlike most of the black people in the history of this country who have been present for a cross burning, i get to leave.
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we're all going to die. didn't mean to remind you of it, but it is on your schedule. >> we find the loss of comedians so profound because we had fun with them, and they were in our home. >> she'd make you feel that you had a special place in her heart. >> laughing with somebody binds you to them. >> comedians don't have a great mortality rate. we lose a lot of people. >> when you lose a comedian, i feel it's more personal because i know the [ bleep ]. ♪ ♪

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