Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Klansman Who Won't use the N-Word By: Jon Ronson

In The Klansman Who Won't use the N-Word, Jon Ronson revels that the Ku Klux Klan is aiming to be viewed in a new more positive image, but Ronson also shows that the Ku Klux Klan is instilled with the same principles as they first started out with; that whites are supreme.  ""Think and Grow Rich, The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.  How to Win Friends and Influence People"" (pg 182) Thom, the leader of the Klan explains they need an image makeover to win over society because they have been viewed poorly by America, due to Hollywood.  The Klan shows a positive image by treating the narrator, Ronson nicely.  They treat him as if he was part of the Klan and he was even given the privilege of wearing the uniform of a Klan member.  Even though the Klan put on a positive image, Ronson shows that behind that mask is a menacing monster.  This is shown throughout the text subtly.  ""...nigger..." said somebody in the darkness nearby." (pg181)  Phrases like this one are put into the narrative interrupting the conversations Ranson has with Thom.  This shows that the Klan will never change its basic principles.  They might be friendly, but it's used as a tool to gain the trust of others.  Ronson in The Klansman Who Won't use the N-Word illustrates the Klan’s new image to gain an advantage in society and shows that the Klan has the same principles as they began with.

The Klansman Who Won't use the N-Word by Jon Ronson I thought was hilarious because it was a Jew visiting the Ku Klux Klan.  My favorite part of the narrative was when Ronson put on the uniform of a Klan member.   It was not just because Jon Ronson was in a white ghost outfit, but it was also the awkward moment before he put the uniform on.  I can see the Klansman asking Ronson if he wants to try the uniform on and then having the emotion of "o shit" or possible a dumbfounded smile.  Either way it was outrageously funny.  To me the Klan will never take the step in the right direction until they do something heroic.  Even then they will have the past against them therefore if even just one Klan member steps out of line they will fall back to where they are now.  I was intrigued by Ku Klux Klan when I was younger and decided to go on their website. The memory is vague, but I remember watching a video that was not very well done and that had a Klan member circumnavigated his points. My emotion from that memory is seeing something obscene and what I thought was stupid.  Just from that memory and the Klan's past I believe that the Klan will never be able to take climb in the right direction. 

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