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U.S. -- Carl, an imperial wizard ("the national leader") of a Southern-based Ku Klux Klan realm (or state-level group), takes aim with a pellet gun at a large cockroach (on the piece of paper just below the clock), while his wife and goddaughter try to avoid getting struck by a possible ricochet.
Photographer Anthony Karen has been able to document as a photojournalist many of the most feared, secretive, and marginalized pockets of society around the world.
His passion for photography began during a trip to Haiti, where he documented Vodou rituals around the country. From there he has created series about Skinheads, the Westboro Baptist Church, and the Ku Klux Klan.
To gain access into the Klan, Karen initially reached out to members through contact information on websites, via phone calls and emails. He began photographing a Klan event in 2005, and after earning the trust of the members, he was allowed to photograph without restriction.
Karen spoke about his level of access to one of the least-understood organizations.
"I think a lot of the credibility I've earned also stems from my basic philosophy that you need to give some of yourself in order to receive anything back. I spend time with people, I listen to what they have to say, and I treat each person as an individual.
{read_more}"I don't have to believe what they believe, but whenever I'm in someone's space, I feel I'm obliged to observe without judgment. That's not to say I wouldn't intervene if I felt a situation called for it, but I choose to observe moment to moment and simply take in what I see and experience without presumption or pretext," he said.
Members of a Louisiana-based Ku Klux Klan realm joke around at the home of one of their imperial officers.
"Little Charlie" of the Louisiana-based Dixie Rangers of the Ku Klux Klan displays her custom-made wedding veil as her fiancé looks on.
Candidates wishing to become initiated into the Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of a naturalization ritual. Candidates are blindfolded and led through the woods at a sometimes vigorous pace. They are questioned about Klan craft and history, and they swear certain oaths. They are then "knighted" through anointing with sacred waters, a sword touch on both shoulders, and a benediction. The new members are greeted and welcomed by the officiating officers.
Klan members gather at the site of a Civil War battleground for a traditional Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony.
The son of an imperial wizard of a North Carolina–based Klan realm.
A Klansman during a unity gathering on his property in Virginia.
An imperial officer (right) from a Midwestern-based Ku Klux Klan realm at the home of his imperial wizard and wife (left), shortly before departing for a Christmas party held for members at a local church.
The granddaughter of an imperial wizard of a Southern-based Klan realm.
Members from a Midwestern-based Klan realm on a flyer drive.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), informally known as the Klan or the "Hooded Order", is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically expressed through terrorism. Since the mid-20th century, the KKK has also been anti-communist. The current manifestation is splintered into several chapters with no connection to each other; it is classified as a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. It is estimated to have between 5,000 and 8,000 members as of 2012.
U.S. -- Carl, an imperial wizard ("the national leader") of a Southern-based Ku Klux Klan realm (or state-level group), takes aim with a pellet gun at a large cockroach (on the piece of paper just below the clock), while his wife and goddaughter try to avoid getting struck by a possible ricochet.
Photographer Anthony Karen has been able to document as a photojournalist many of the most feared, secretive, and marginalized pockets of society around the world.
His passion for photography began during a trip to Haiti, where he documented Vodou rituals around the country. From there he has created series about Skinheads, the Westboro Baptist Church, and the Ku Klux Klan.
To gain access into the Klan, Karen initially reached out to members through contact information on websites, via phone calls and emails. He began photographing a Klan event in 2005, and after earning the trust of the members, he was allowed to photograph without restriction.
Karen spoke about his level of access to one of the least-understood organizations.
"I think a lot of the credibility I've earned also stems from my basic philosophy that you need to give some of yourself in order to receive anything back. I spend time with people, I listen to what they have to say, and I treat each person as an individual.
{read_more}"I don't have to believe what they believe, but whenever I'm in someone's space, I feel I'm obliged to observe without judgment. That's not to say I wouldn't intervene if I felt a situation called for it, but I choose to observe moment to moment and simply take in what I see and experience without presumption or pretext," he said.
Members of a Louisiana-based Ku Klux Klan realm joke around at the home of one of their imperial officers.
"Little Charlie" of the Louisiana-based Dixie Rangers of the Ku Klux Klan displays her custom-made wedding veil as her fiancé looks on.
Candidates wishing to become initiated into the Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of a naturalization ritual. Candidates are blindfolded and led through the woods at a sometimes vigorous pace. They are questioned about Klan craft and history, and they swear certain oaths. They are then "knighted" through anointing with sacred waters, a sword touch on both shoulders, and a benediction. The new members are greeted and welcomed by the officiating officers.
Klan members gather at the site of a Civil War battleground for a traditional Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony.
The son of an imperial wizard of a North Carolina–based Klan realm.
A Klansman during a unity gathering on his property in Virginia.
An imperial officer (right) from a Midwestern-based Ku Klux Klan realm at the home of his imperial wizard and wife (left), shortly before departing for a Christmas party held for members at a local church.
The granddaughter of an imperial wizard of a Southern-based Klan realm.
Members from a Midwestern-based Klan realm on a flyer drive.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), informally known as the Klan or the "Hooded Order", is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically expressed through terrorism. Since the mid-20th century, the KKK has also been anti-communist. The current manifestation is splintered into several chapters with no connection to each other; it is classified as a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. It is estimated to have between 5,000 and 8,000 members as of 2012.
