Black women watch as members of the South Mississippi Knights of the Ku Klux Klan march through Pelahatchie, Mississippi, on June 12, 2001. ©2001 James Edward Bates.
Members of the South Mississippi Knights of the Ku Klux Klan ride in the back of a truck before a scheduled cross lighting ceremony in Pearl, Mississippi, on June 12, 2001. ©2001 James Edward Bates.
Three cousins attend their first KKK rally at a gathering of America's Invisible Empire of the Ku Klux Klan in Welsh, Louisiana, on April 28, 2001. The boys' fathers and uncles brought them to the event. ©2001 James Edward Bates.
Members of the South Mississippi Knights of the Ku Klux Klan socialize before a scheduled cross lighting ceremony in Pearl, Mississippi, on June 12, 2001. ©2001 James Edward Bates.
America's Invisible Empire of the Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard Ricky Draper kisses his three-month-old grandson Dylan on a homecoming rally field near Pulaski, Tennessee, on September 5, 1998. ©1998 James Edward Bates.
A child plays on a rope noose swing during a joint rally of AmericaÕs Invisible Empire of the Ku Klux Klan and Kajun Knights of the Ku Klux Klan on August 8, 1998 in Crowley, Louisiana. ©1998 James Edward Bates.
A child looks at a black doll hanging from a tree with noose around its neck on the day of the South Mississippi Knights of the Ku Klux KlanÕs memorial rally honoring deceased Imperial Wizard Jimmie Maxey on August 10, 2002, in Petal, Mississippi. ©2002 James Edward Bates.
Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan members Art and Silvia Dixon's son Floyd Dixon, age 4, tries on his first Klan robe for the last time on August 28, 2002, as his mother Sylvia Dixon prepares to sew him a new robe as he obtains honorary Knighthawk status. A Knighthawk in the KKK is a member of the klan's security force. Klansmen cannot become members until they are age 18. ©2002 James Edward Bates.
Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan members march in Jennings, Louisiana, on April 28, 2001. ©2001 James Edward Bates.
Michael P. Smith Fund For Documentary Photography
2013 Finalist James Edward Bates Passing the Torch
Project Summary: Passing the Torch is photojournalist James Edward Bates documentary of modern day racism through an intimate view of the KKK as it exists today, with a particular focus on the children. Bates hopes the images will spark communication, education and change.
Congratulations to all of the Finalists in the 2013 Michael P. Smith Fund For Documentary Photography
Bates' Project Proposal
All images © James Edward Bates
www.jamesedwardbates.com
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2013 Finalist James Edward Bates
Passing the Torch