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In the 1940s, The Adventures of Superman was a radio sensation. Kids across the country huddled around their sets as the Man of Steel leapt off the page and over the airwaves. Although Superman had been fighting crime in print since 1938, the weekly audio episodes fleshed out his storyline even further. It was on the radio that Superman first faced kryptonite, met Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen, and became associated with “truth, justice, and the American way.” So, it’s no wonder that when a young writer and activist named Stetson Kennedy decided to expose the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan, he looked to a certain superhero for inspiration.
In the post-World War II era, the Klan experienced a huge resurgence. Its membership was skyrocketing, and its political influence was increasing, so Kennedy went undercover to infiltrate the group. By regularly attending meetings, he became privy to the organization’s secrets. But when he took the information to local authorities, they had little interest in using it. The Klan had become so powerful and intimidating that police were hesitant to build a case against them.
Struggling to make use of his findings, Kennedy approached the writers of the Superman radio serial. It was perfect timing. With the war over and the Nazis no longer a threat, the producers were looking for a new villain for Superman to fight. The KKK was a great fit for the role.
In a 16-episode series titled “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” the writers pitted the Man of Steel against the men in white hoods.
As the storyline progressed, the shows exposed many of the KKK’s most guarded secrets. By revealing everything from code words to rituals, the program completely stripped the Klan of its mystique. Within two weeks of the broadcast, KKK recruitment was down to zero. And by 1948, people were showing up to Klan rallies just to mock them.
This piece originally appeared last year in mental_floss magazine, in an article titled “Comic Superheroes Who Made a Real-World Difference.”
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Comments (11)
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And that’s why you don’t tug on his cape. Great article!
posted by Joe Maz on 11-1-2009 at 1:40 am
Any idea about what Batman did for the real world? He’s always been my favorite superhero, mostly because he really didn’t have special powers.
posted by KillerQueen11 on 11-1-2009 at 7:07 am
Great article now that what I call making a difference.
posted by Kari on 11-1-2009 at 7:20 am
Recruitment was down to zero! That’s the best campaign in the history of the world!
posted by Adam on 11-1-2009 at 9:47 am
Get ‘em, Supes! I love history.
posted by Johnny Cat on 11-1-2009 at 1:22 pm
“And by 1948, people were showing up to Klan rallies just to mock them.”
Hehe. You know, if there was a KKK rally near me I have always thought I’d like to go…just to throw rocks at them. I think it would be worth going to jail for. I’d throw rocks at those “God hates fags” lunatics too. Working in retail I’ve met all kinds of stupid people, but racists and bigots have to be the dumbest of them all!
posted by dooflotchie on 11-1-2009 at 8:20 pm
Wasn’t this story told in Freakonomics by Steven Levitt?
posted by Felicia Yonter on 11-2-2009 at 10:26 am
Felicia – yes it was in Freakonomics. But there have been allegations that Stetson Kennedy exaggerated his involvement in the radio show.
posted by Tara on 11-2-2009 at 12:06 pm
Bob Edwards had a wonderful hour long interview with Stetson Kennedy on his radio show ‘Bob Edwards Weekend’, easily Googled. The Superman story and much much more. Like how Kennedy was prevented by the sheriff from voting in an election in which he was a candidate. Friend of Woody Guthrie, hell raiser. Well worth a listen. rb
posted by arby on 11-2-2009 at 1:25 pm
dooflotchie, don’t throw rocks!
Throw pies.
You throw pies at clowns and stooges.
posted by Chris Tucker on 11-3-2009 at 1:19 am
The Klan was against blacks and Jews. Superman was created by 2 Jews so they were interested in destroying the Klan. Also in Superman Returns, Jor-El explains how he sent his only son, to save the world. The Jews were still waiting for a savior so they created one. Smallville is the most successful Superman series on TV.
posted by Chuck on 11-8-2009 at 11:54 pm