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represented all that was backward, malicious, and racist. It carried out a masked, violent campaign of terror against blacks, burning crosses in black neighborhoods, making death threats—even maiming and killing in an attempt to intimidate blacks from exercising their newly won civil rights. The Klan was so successful in its intimidation tactics that that federal laws were passed to curb its activities, and the organization disbanded by the late 1870s. But in 1915 the Klan was re-formed, although with a different goal in mind. Whereas the original organization had been formed by southern whites to improve their social status once blacks won unprecedented privileges and opportunities following the Civil War, the new Klan did not seek to change the social order. Instead, it became dedicated solely to the idea of white supremacy. Anyone who was not white, Anglo- Saxon, and born in America became its enemy. Bethune’s canvassing efforts in 1920 quicklymade her a target of theKlan. Hearing of her voter registration drive and her determination to defeat the mayoral candidate whom the Klan supported, Klanmembersmade threats on her life. Bethune continued her organizingactivities despite the threats of reprisal fromtheKlan; shewas determined never to give in to it. “Faith and courage, patience and fortitude,” she counseled, “social change cannot happen quickly.” She told her followers, “Use yourminds, but keep your lips closed.… Don’t be afraid of the Klan! Quit running! Hold your head up high. Look everyman straight in the eye andmake no apology to anyone because of…color. When you see a burning cross remember the son of God who bore the heaviest cross of all.” AN ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE The Klanmarched to the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute on the night before the 1920 mayoral election, but their visit did not take Bethune by surprise. They had tried to frighten her a few years earlier—also before an important election—and this time she was more than ready for them.

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C I V I L R I GH T S L E A D E R S : MA R Y MC L E OD B E T HUN E