I agree with Scott's response, but I think that Shapiro's whole point is that Simkins' "myth" is not really a myth at all but what is perceived as a horrible and widespread cruelty was really as horrible and widespread as it has been made out. I think however we are ignoring the social implications of Klan violence and black social groups which I have found somewhat interesting to look at in parts of Nelson. I think obviously it is not just "us" here but Shapiro, et al. I also want to echo was Scott is saying about the Democratic Party. It seems from the Shapiro piece that the leadership of the Klan and the Democratic Party were virtually inseperable. Why then was the Democratic Party allowed to persist? I was also interested in find out, which was not my childhood understanding, that the Klan was an overtly racist and political group from its very earliest days. I think I had always been told that this did not come about until the resurgence in the 1920's.