A&E' Comes Under Fire for 'Generation KKK' Docuseries

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.”

Also Read: 'Generation KKK': New A&E Series to Explore Racial Hatred in America

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.”

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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.

There should be an immediate boycott of A&E and all of its sponsors as they normalize the KKK with a reality series. Abhorrent

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) December 19, 2016

Time to boycott A & E. What the hey is Generation KKK?

— [ Go2HellTrump ] (@ctv556) December 20, 2016

The KKK murdered & terrorized thousands of African Americans from the 1866 to who knows when. This Generation KKK show is not ok @AETV

— Shashana (@1978BABY) December 19, 2016

When watching the preview episode of Generation KKK, it was clear that it was NOT them normalizing racism & bigotry, but exposing it.

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 19, 2016

Dear @AETV & @nytimesarts, I'm absolutely horrified that you would produce Generation KKK & that NYT would review as if this is all normal.

— Ellen Oh (@ElloEllenOh) December 19, 2016

I don't know why people are so surprised about that new show on #AETV. "Generation KKK" has been on the air for years. It's called Fox News

— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) December 19, 2016

This is not normal: A&E announces new series “Generation KKK” https://t.co/fKV7k9QBSz. THIS is why I don't watch TV @janayetucker

— Leslie T (@LeslieRTucker) December 20, 2016

@AETV WHY ARE YOU GIVING A VOICE TO HATE with your KKK Generation documentary? You should instead be showing how this hate damages others!

— Pam G. (@Megson310) December 20, 2016

In Trump's America, A&E creates a new tv series titled #GenerationKKK. ????????

— Bo (@VApoliticalnerd) December 20, 2016

@Disney you own part of A&E. WTH is with #generationKKK ????? I'm angry that you're helping to normalize hatred. #ThisIsNotNormal

— Skypp Cabanas (@SkyppC) December 20, 2016

@AETV shame on you for bringing attention to a growing movement in the USA. #Boycott A&E for their show 'Generation KKK'.

— Ryan Smith (@mrsmithnyc) December 20, 2016

Generation KKK should not be a show. Highly disrespectful.

— misty's patience (@maulmall) December 20, 2016

Proud @ADL_National helped @AETV on their impt new doc series #GenerationKKK https://t.co/YEhrRumprk – more here: https://t.co/Li0nRdAOdU

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) December 19, 2016

Inside the #KuKluxKlan, With an A&E Documentary Series – https://t.co/iapMSYc4n5 must watch TV #GenerationKKK https://t.co/fSl4MP6BjS

— David Johns (@MrDavidJohns) December 19, 2016

11 Controversial Outdoor Movie and TV Ads: From 'The Virginity Hit' to 'Ted 2' (Photos)

"The Road to Guantanamo" (2006)
MPAA rules prohibit depictions of torture in movie posters, so the ads for "The Road to Guantanamo," set on a U.S. military base in Cuba, had to be reworked to remove the image of a detainee's head in a burlap sack
Roadside Attractions
"Ted 2" (2015)
Like the 2012 original, "Ted 2" heavily utilized raunch in its advertising, including posters showing Seth MacFarlane's teddy bear facing away from the camera and the words "Ted is coming, again"
Universal Pictures
"Magic Mike XXL" (2015)
The sequel to Channing Tatum's male stripper movie "Magic Mike" upped the innuendo factor in it's advertising, using phrases like "Coming" and "Back to the Grind" on its posters.
Warner Bros.
"Captivity" (2007)
Ads for the Elisha Cuthbert horror flick featuring images of the actress being kidnapped and tortured caused an outrage when they appeared on billboards around Los Angeles. The studio later explained that the wrong ads were sent to the printer
After Dark
"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (2008)
Even the suggestion of oral sex in the posters for the Elizabeth Banks/Seth Rogen comedy was enough to get them banned by the MPAA
The Weinstein Company
"American Sniper" (2014)
A West Los Angeles billboard for 2014's "American Sniper" was vandalized with graffiti reading "Murder!" after the movie received criticism for promoting war
Twitter
"The Virginity Hit" (2010)
Billboards for "The Virginity Hit" simply read, "Still a virgin?" with the number of a hotline to call for help, prompting campaigns for the posters to be removed
Sony Pictures
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (2011)
David Fincher's adaptation of the Swedish novel drew criticism for its ads featuring Daniel Craig wrapping his arms around a topless Rooney Mara
Columbia Pictures
"Diana" (2013)
A poster for the Princess Diana biopic starring Naomi Watts was inadvertently placed just feet away from the site of her fatal car accident, causing an uproar and the poster's removal
Twitter
"The Strain" (2014)
Billboards for FX's horror series "The Strain" received a disgusted response on social media that was strong enough to convince the network to take them down
FX
"Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" (2014)
The posters for Bravo's first scripted series featured star Lisa Edelstein showing off her bare ring finger in a manner scandalous enough to get them banned from buses and subways in New York and Los Angeles.
Bravo