Florida is well-known for its beautiful beaches, diversified culture, and tourist attractions. However, it is also home to some of the most bigoted and racist organizations in the country. According to a recent analysis by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida has the second-highest number of recognized hate organizations in the United States, with 68 active groups in 2021.
These organizations include white supremacists, neo-Nazis, racist skinheads, neo-Confederates, and black separatists. But which county in Florida has the most racist residents? What factors contribute to the prevalence of hate in the Sunshine State?
Callahan is the Most Racist County in Florida
One technique to assess a county’s historical racism is to tally the number of Klaverns, or local chapters, of the Ku Klux Klan that existed in the past. The KKK is one of America’s oldest and most prominent hate groups, having perpetrated violence and terror against black people, Jews, Catholics, immigrants, and other minorities. The KKK has had three significant waves of activity: the first following the Civil War, the second in the 1920s, and the third in the 1950s and 1960s.
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Using data from Saturday Night Science, a Virginia Commonwealth University initiative that mapped Klaverns by city from 1915 to 1940, we can find the cities and counties in Florida with the highest Klavern density per capita. DeLand had the most Klaverns, at three.
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, which has four Klaverns. Callahan, the city and county with the most Klaverns per capita, has one Klavern for every 1,250 inhabitants. Callahan is a tiny town in Nassau County, with two Klaverns.
Callahan is located in northeastern Florida, close to the Georgia border. According to the 2010 census, the population is around 1,500, with 86% white and 11% black. The town was created in 1861 and named after a Confederate soldier who died during the Civil War.
Florida is particularly vulnerable to natural catastrophes like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which can create stress, trauma, and hardship for many residents. These factors can make certain people more receptive to hate organizations’ propaganda and recruiting, which provide them with a feeling of identity, belonging, and safety.
How to Combat Hatred in Florida
Hatred is not inevitable nor irrevocable. There are several strategies for combating hatred and promoting tolerance, diversity, and inclusion in Florida and abroad. Here are some ways that can help:
- Educating individuals about the history and impact of racism and hate organizations, as well as dispelling their myths and lies.
- Supporting victims and targets of hate crimes and incidents, as well as reporting them to law enforcement and the media.
- Challenge and confront hate speech and behaviors, both online and offline, and hold those responsible accountable.
- Creating coalitions and alliances amongst diverse groups and communities, as well as honoring their traditions and accomplishments.
- Engaging in communication and interaction with people from various origins, views, and viewpoints to establish common ground and mutual respect.
Hate is an issue for everyone, regardless of color, religion, nationality, gender, or orientation. It is also an issue that everyone can tackle by working together and taking individual responsibility. Working together, we can make Florida a more welcoming and pleasant environment for everybody.
Conclusion
In summary, Florida has difficulty hosting a significant number of hate groups, with Nassau County’s Callahan having the largest Klavern density per population, reflecting past racism. Natural calamities and societal stress may increase vulnerability.
Combating hatred requires education, victim assistance, addressing hate speech, forming coalitions, and encouraging different encounters to promote tolerance and inclusion. It encourages everyone to work together to make Florida a more welcoming and pleasant place to live.