Ku Klux Klan

Life in the 1920's. Hensfeld comments on the KKK, the Red Scare, Prohibition and his personal observations.

Everett Hoffman, a lawyer and former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky, discusses his career and the organization's work. Born in New Orleans and raised in various parts of the U.S., Hoffman returned to Louisville, Kentucky, for his first lawyer position with the Legal Aid Society in 1983. He joined the ACLU during law school and became its executive director in 1992. Hoffman discusses the ACLU's work on social justice issues, including police misconduct, the death penalty, and reproductive freedom. He also talks about the organization's defense of free speech, even for groups like the KKK, and its efforts to reflect Kentucky's diversity. Hoffman left the ACLU in 1999.

Narrator talks about racism and the Klan in Kentucky.

Narrator, the Great Titan of Jefferson County, talks about racism and Klan in Kentucky.

Former executive director of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union, which later became the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. Loving discusses her background, her college experiences, her involvement in social justice issues, and the work of the ACLU in Kentucky. Loving discusses her encounters with the Ku Klux Klan, the importance of protecting constitutional rights, the public's reaction to the ACLU's work, the motivation of plaintiffs and volunteers, and the organization's involvement in reproductive freedom issues. She also talks about the challenges of funding and media coverage, as well as the changes in the organization over time. Overall, Loving reflects on her experiences and the impact of the ACLU's work in Kentucky.

The KKK in Kentucky and the role of the Kentucky Alliance in Jefferson County.

Narrator talks about struggle against racism and Klan in Kentucky.

Howard Owens, born in 1948 in Pambloff, Arkansas, moved to Louisville because of his father's work as a preacher at the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at age 5. In this interview, Owens talks about his father's work as a civil rights activist in the city prior to his own work during the 1960s following his graduation from high school as well as his work and activism during the civil rights movement from the end of the 1960s up until the 1980s. Topics include: the nationalist fringe groups participating in Louisville during the civil rights movement, his activism during college in Wilberforce, Ohio, his work as a teacher in Louisville with children with learning disabilities, the groups during the 1970s in Louisville including the Black Workers Coalition and Black Protective Parents, busing and the problems that faced busing within the communities and the city, other groups such as the Jtown Challengers and the Blacks United to Motivate Progress, his experience at a Klan rally that took place off of Preston Hwy, issues that arose after busing including police brutality and equity in hiring of minorities, the Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, the Fred Harris case, the Lindsay Scott case, and a case involving the Black Panther Party that all took place in Louisville.

Born in Louisville in 1933 to first-generation German Jewish American parents, Post was raised with the belief in assimilation and teaching English to immigrant parents. After graduating from high school, she majored in English in college. In 1956, she returned to Louisville and became involved with the ACLU, initially as a member and later as a plaintiff in a school integration lawsuit. During the time of school desegregation and the open housing movement, the Klan and other anti-busing groups were actively opposing integration efforts. They would gather at school board meetings and engage in protests, often leading to arrests. Susie Post, as a member of the KCLU (Kentucky Civil Liberties Union), was involved in raising bail money for those who were arrested during these protests. The presence of the Klan and their opposition to civil rights served as a catalyst for Susie Post's activism and commitment to fighting for equality and justice. She also worked on issues such as women's rights, the death penalty, and the anti-war movement. Post served as the director of the ACLU in Louisville and later became a National Vice President. She reflects on the challenges and successes of her tenure, including the Skokie case and the impact of the organization on Louisville. Post believes that the arts movement in Louisville has also contributed to the city's progressiveness. She acknowledges the personal sacrifices she made and the need for trained professionals in the organization. Post expresses pride in her work and the organizations she helped start.

Quisenberry answers questions about his personal life and his recollections of various topics such as; WWI, the KKK, the Red Scare and politics.