Although the KKK was a white supremacist group, why might they attack Thomas, a white man?
There could be several reasons why the KKK might attack Thomas, a white man, despite being a white supremacist group. It's important to note that this is a hypothetical scenario and the KKK's actions varied depending on the specific circumstances. Here are some possible reasons:
1. Perceived betrayal or opposition: The KKK might have perceived Thomas as a traitor or someone who was actively opposing their beliefs or agenda. This could include instances where he publicly advocated for racial equality, supported civil rights organizations, or had personal relationships with individuals from minority groups.
2. Interference with their activities: If Thomas actively worked against the KKK's activities, such as by providing information to authorities, organizing counter-protests, or engaging in activities (legal or otherwise) that disrupted the KKK's events, they might have viewed him as a threat to their goals and retaliated accordingly.
3. Personal conflicts or grievances: Although the KKK targeted individuals primarily based on race, there could have been specific personal conflicts that led to an attack on Thomas. These conflicts might have arisen due to personal disputes, disagreements, or grievances unrelated to race, but provided a motivation for the KKK's actions.
4. Mistaken identity or collateral damage: It's possible that Thomas could have been mistakenly identified as a member of a rival group or someone affiliated with individuals the KKK considered enemies. In such cases, the attack might have been a result of misidentification or intended to send a broader message to their perceived adversaries.
5. Outlier behavior: While the KKK had a core ideology based on white supremacy, it was comprised of individual members with their own biases, motivations, and interpretations of the group's mission. It's possible that a subset within the KKK had divergent views or personal biases that led them to target Thomas despite being a white man.
Overall, although the primary focus of the KKK was to assert and promote white supremacy, there were instances where they targeted individuals who deviated from their beliefs, challenged their authority, or had personal conflicts with their members.