“Racism is the gravest threat to man – maximum hatred for minimum reason,” — Abraham Joshua Heschel. Racism has plagued society since the dawn of time, and as Heschel explains, it is one of humanity's greatest downfalls. As social animals; humans have a natural desire to interact with each other and come together. There are many benefits to collaborating with others, such as starting a family or navigating natural disasters, but; this desire for connection has often led to superiority complexes and severe racism. History shows that failure to accept differences can lead to horrible wars and unrest. The American Ku Klux Klan is an example of a time when a group of ordinary people used racism to connect. Although the Ku Klux Klan has become less problematic over the years, it still exists and has the potential to grow. The Ku Klux Klan was established shortly after the American Civil War in 1866 and was widespread throughout most of the southern states by 1870. The group was motivated by violence and racism to fight equality legislation. post-war period which was beginning to be adopted in Congress. Since then, the Klan has had a long history that has impacted America on many levels. Considerable efforts have been made recently to stop their irrational destructive behavior toward African Americans, Hispanics, Jews, homosexuals, and many others. After the civil war, the entire country suffered great loss of life and industries. Entire cities were destroyed, harming the economy; the South was particularly affected by the war. Immediately after the war, the Klan saw much activity aimed at bringing into power Democrats who would not support the progress of former slaves. Finally, by the late 1880s, the South seemed to have a greater presence in the everyday paper world. By 1960, interracial marriage was illegal in many states and accounted for less than 1% of marriages. In 2010, more than eight percent of all marriages were interracial. Another example of a changing society is the integration of schools and the workplace in America. For over forty years, it has been illegal to segregate schools and have an all-white workforce, thanks to acts like Affirmative Action. In conclusion, the world is changing daily and the days when one group could spread hatred so freely are over. Although the Ku Klux Klan has become less problematic over the years, it still exists and has the potential to grow. Organizations like the Ku Klux Klan may have been influential in the past, but it is the passion for justice of current and future generations that will keep the Klan in steady decline..