The New Yorker article explores the troubling history and potential resurgence of extremist ideologies in American society, particularly through the lens of Timothy Egan's book, “A Fever in the Heartland.” The article reflects on how the Ku Klux Klan's dominance in 1920s Indiana serves as a harrowing reminder of the capacity for hatred and authoritarianism prevalent in America, as exemplified by the rise of D. C. Stephenson, the Klan's Indiana Grand Dragon. It discusses how the Klan manipulated political powers, fostered xenophobia, and committed acts of violence against marginalized groups, all while presenting their agenda as a form of “Americanism.” The narrative warns that the conditions that allowed such extremism to flourish in the past are not entirely absent today, suggesting that similar sentiments and structures could empower another resurgence of such ideologies in modern America.

Key Points:

• Common sentiment that “this is not who we are” in response to hate ignores historical realities.
• Timothy Egan's book examines the Klan's rise in Indiana during the 1920s led by D. C. Stephenson.
• Stephenson manipulated political systems to impose Klan ideology and terrorize nonwhite individuals and immigrants.
• The Klan was an influential force, often supported by local authorities and with deep social integration.
• The press historically failed to adequately expose the Klan's activities, often being complicit.
• A pivotal moment leading to the Klan's decline was the sensational trial of Stephenson for murder in 1925.
• The article warns that the underlying animosities from that era remain and could easily resurface under new leadership.
  Link to Article