C.P Ellis

After the death of his father, Ellis became a Klansman because he wanted to become successful for his family. Studs Terkel wrote about his life in the Klan, the process in which his ideas reformed and his choice to leave the Klan. When he had to step up and become the father figure in the family he became very concerned with the well being of his family. However, he had a hard time taking care of his family, and his position never was able to improve. This ultimately led to hatred in which he made people into scapegoats such as Blacks and Jews. His hatred is what led him to join the Klan. After some time in the Klan, Ellis realized that the people in the Klan used their power to achieve their goals, which he didn’t think was necessary. Later, he campaigned for a position on a school board and started to work more with the groups that he oppressed. Slowly he learned that the people that he once hated were people too. He stated, “I was beginnin’ to look at a black person, shake hands with him, and see him as a human bein.” (526)

The way Ellis was forced to interact with people that he hated caused him to change his views. Although the method may have worked for Ellis, I don’t think it would work in a larger group. If a larger group had to be forced to get along with people they hated, there would people that would be less open to change. The larger group would make people feel like they are being forced to change their beliefs; therefore many people would be more obstinate.