Racism has happened here

The Seattle author Timothy Egan's latest book, “A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them,” is a riveting saga of the Klan spreading their hatred of Blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants. The leader was a predatory con man, the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, who believed he was above the law.

This is the story of how the Klan held complete power over the politicians, judges and law enforcement across the state of Indiana. They then tried to spread their tentacles over the entire country. For example, by the mid-1920,s there were more Klansmen per capita in Oregon than any other state but Indiana. The Klansman Walter Pierce was elected Governor, and he passed an amendment requiring all children in Oregon to attend public schools, and they were not allowed to attend Catholic schools. He then backed a proposal that would have made it illegal for any immigrant to own land.

All across the country Klansmen were attempting to grab the levers of power. Egan shines a light on one of the most sinister chapters in American history. The Grand Dragon's plan to take over the country could possibly have succeeded if he had not been convicted of a vicious rape and murder.

This book is compelling and chillingly resonant with our own time. It is available in our La Conner Swinomish Library.

Harold Richardson

La Conner