100 years ago, the KKK bombed a Catholic university

+ the white supremacy woven into the history of national parks US Edition - Today's top story: 100 years ago, the KKK planted bombs at a U.S. university – part of the terror group's crusade against American Catholics [View in browser]( US Edition | 16 December 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( In many Americans’ imaginations, the Ku Klux Klan is synonymous with white supremacy. It’s still the go-to symbol of prejudice and bigotry, even as newer hate groups far surpass it in size and influence. But what we call the KKK is actually three different organizations that emerged at different points in U.S. history: two that rose and fell, and a third that persists today. The second KKK emerged during World War I. In addition to its violent acts of terror against African Americans, the group harassed other groups it considered not to be “100% American”: immigrants, Jews and Catholics, to name a few. William Trollinger, a historian at the University of Dayton, walks us through the [KKK’s bombing of his Catholic campus](, 100 years ago this week. It’s a glimpse at a little-known moment in history. But it’s also a troubling reminder of how close, not far, similar issues feel today. This week we also liked articles about the [Boston Tea Party](, TV producer Norman Lear’s “[Good Times](,” and an important chapter in history left out of Ridley Scott’s long [new movie about Napoléon Bonaparte](. Molly Jackson Religion and Ethics Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( A KKK rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Sept. 21, 1923. Dayton Metro Library [100 years ago, the KKK planted bombs at a U.S. university – part of the terror group’s crusade against American Catholics]( William Trollinger, University of Dayton Most of the Klan’s victims were African American, but many other groups have been targeted during the hate group’s century and a half of history. The 1802 Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot was part of Napoléon’s effort to retake Haiti − then known as Saint-Domingue − and reestablish slavery in the colony. Wikimedia Commons [The Napoléon that Ridley Scott and Hollywood won’t let you see]( Marlene Daut, Yale University Leaving out the history of Napoléon’s brutal subjugation of Haiti is akin to making a movie about Hitler without mentioning the Holocaust. Esther Rolle, right, and John Amos starred in the pathbreaking 1970s Black sitcom. Moviepix via Getty Images [‘Good Times’: 50 years ago, Norman Lear changed TV with a show about a working-class Black family’s struggles and joys]( Angela M. Nelson, Bowling Green State University Norman Lear brought the first nuclear Black family to prime-time television in 1974. - [In the worst of America’s Jim Crow era, Black intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois found inspiration and hope in national parks]( Thomas S. Bremer, Rhodes College Though progressive politics at the turn of the 20th century called for the protection of America’s national parks, it did so for the enjoyment of white people. - [How the Boston Tea Party’s ‘destruction of the tea’ changed American history]( Eliga Gould, University of New Hampshire An attack on private property angered Colonial leaders as much as the British public – but a strong reaction from Parliament hardened the positions of the opposing sides, making compromise impossible. - [Arctic Report Card 2023: From wildfires to melting sea ice, the warmest summer on record had cascading impacts across the Arctic]( Rick Thoman, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Matthew L. Druckenmiller, University of Colorado Boulder; Twila A. Moon, University of Colorado Boulder The early heat melted snow and warmed rivers, heating up the land and downstream ocean areas. 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This research suggests yes]( - [Sandra Day O’Connor saw civics education as key to the future of democracy]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Which university president resigned on Dec. 9 after being criticized for her testimony to Congress about free speech and antisemitism on campus? - A. Elizabeth Magill of UPenn - B. Claudine Gay of Harvard - C. Sally Kornbluth of MIT - D. Elise Stefanik of SUNY [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon](• [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. 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