why do the ku klux klan wear white sheets over their heads or hoods n cloaks?

Question

plus do they still exist or have they been wiped out in the us ?

Answer 1

The origins of the use of the costume are unclear, but it does seem certain that it was originally intended to be some kind of disguise. Although the organization has no relationship with Spain, the contemporary white gown with a cone hat follows the Spanish Roman Catholic "Nazareno" tradition, where such garments have been commonly used since time immemorial in festivities such as the Holy Week symbolizing the act of penance. In Spain and former colonies the pointed hat is called "Capirote".

It has been stated that the novels of Sir Walter Scott and others influenced the organisation in various ways—for example, in the use of the Fiery cross—so they may have also influenced the KKK's costume.

There are a number of explanations given as to what it represents:

The ghosts of the Confederate troops in the American Civil War.
The white represents the white race, reflecting the racist ideals of the organization.
The pointed hood also resembles that of a medieval executioner (although this was usually black, and that of grand inquisitor.)
The red cross on the white costume, and the horse resembles that of crusaders.
The costume was similar in design to those worn by the Spanish Inquisition, with the exception of the hood.
The white outfit may also be reflective of supposed Druid costume.[1]
Because of the symbolism and appearance of these costumes, superstitious blacks in the South thought KKK night riders were the actual ghosts of Confederate soldiers, riding their horses out of Hell to find a drink of water.

The KKK's own militaristic origins in the Civil War also played a part in developing, and turned the Klan into a Proto-Fascist organization (true Fascism did not arise for several decades, and then in Europe).

The KKK still exists in the US today - predominantly in the South, and has ties to numerous other "purity" groups.

Answer 2

The real true reason for wearing the hoods and covering of the face is to keep their identity secret. They do not want others to know who they really are especially if they are living in the same community. The costume is to scare black people like ghost in the night. KKK is really a group of white people who want control over every other race in the world. White people feel that they are the supreme race and want total control of the world. The tactic is to scare people into doing what they want or the threat of being hung from a tree like in 1954 what they use to do if you do not comply.

Answer 3

They wear the hoods over their heads for the same reason a prostitute wears underwear...no reason at all. It used to be to hide their faces because the things that they used to do in the earlier part of the century and get away with were illegal ie: hanging innocent men women, children, murder, beatings..stuff these days you get locked up for..It is just a remnant of those days, part of the costume so to speak.So they continue to wear it.and no they are still around, just without the freedom and ability to go around murdering black men who whistle at white and killing as they please...you don't hear about them as much...

Answer 4

No Fashion sense.

Answer 5

I THINK its because they are against colored people, and because they want a perfect race, one of no color, just white. and there are people who are still members of the kkk im sure because gangs just dont die.

Answer 6

Intimidation & no, they have NOT been wiped out in the U.S.