Hidden History: The KKK Once Recruited in Virginia Churches

In this eye-opening episode, host Dutchie Jessee sits down with reporter Dean-Paul Stephens to delve into his recent article, "Welcome guests: Churches hosted KKK recruitment a hundred years ago," published on CardinalNews.org. Together, they explore the unsettling history of how, in November 1924, the Ku Klux Klan held recruitment events in churches across Martinsville, Virginia, during a period of resurgence for the Klan. Stephens shares insights from his research, shedding light on how religious institutions, which are typically seen as places of refuge and moral guidance, were co-opted by hate groups to further their agendas. The conversation also touches on the broader societal implications of this history and reflects on how far we've come—and how far we still have to go—in confronting and understanding the complex intersections of faith, community, and racism.Join us as we uncover a chapter of Virginia's past that challenges our perceptions and underscores the importance of remembering history to inform our present and future.