A&E’s ‘Generation KKK’ Docuseries Ignites Backlash Before It Even Airs (Video)

“There should be an immediate boycott of A&E and all of its sponsors as they normalize the KKK with a reality series,” actor Wendell Pierce says

Beatrice Verhoeven, PWS

A&E has come under fire after announcing its new docuseries, “Generation KKK,” which explores the recent resurgence of the hate group in the United States.

The eight-part series, which premieres January 10 and has received the “proud” endorsement of Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, has now been targeted by some stars and internet users fearing that a documentary depiction of the Ku Klux Klan might “normalize” hatred.

“The Wire” actor Wendell Pierce asked for a boycott of the network and all of its sponsors, while other Twitter users stated that any show about the KKK is “not OK.”

But civil rights activist Shaun King, who had seen a preview of the series’ first episode, wrote on Twitter, “It was clear that it was NOT them normalizing racism & bigotry, but exposing it.”

On Monday, A&E announced that it will launch the eight-part series, which follows four families: an “Imperial Wizard” who hopes to groom his teenage daughter to take his place; an Iraq war veteran and proud member of the Klan determined to raise his 4-year-old son to embrace his views; a young man who sees his close friend and KKK leader as the father he never had, asked to pledge his loyalty to the Klan; and a fifth-generation KKK family struggling to keep up the legacy.

“This series gives viewers an unprecedented look at what it is like to be born into hate. Our producers gained access to Klan families allowing for full immersion into this secret world and its impact on the next generation,” said Rob Sharenow, executive vice president and general manager of A&E and Lifetime. “‘Generation KKK’ brings viewers inside the places where hatred and prejudice are born and bred, and carried forward or not.”

A spokesperson for the network told TheWrap, “Generation KKK is a documentary series that exposes the ugly truth about how the hate group attempts to indoctrinate children. The series focuses on a team of activists working to prevent the next generation from continuing the cycle of hate. The documentary series takes a clear stance against hatred of any kind.”

“Generation KKK” premieres Jan. 10 at 10 p.m/9c on A&E.

Read some of the backlash below — as well as some of the show’s defenders. You can also watch the first seven minutes of the premiere episode above.

https://twitter.com/ctv556/status/811253217925406720

 

https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/810946578991247360

 

https://twitter.com/ElloEllenOh/status/810696810301947904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/LeslieRTucker/status/811259817566359556

https://twitter.com/Megson310/status/811256511875911681

https://twitter.com/VApoliticalnerd/status/811255072709627905

https://twitter.com/mrsmithnyc/status/811250835288190977

Beatrice Verhoeven, PWS

Beatrice Verhoeven

Film Editor, Twitter: @bverhoev

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