Judge — February 9, 1924 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes American nativism and hypocrisy. The large figure looming above appears to be a representation of American identity or leadership, while below are depicted what look like KKK members (identifiable by their distinctive pointed hoods and robes) conducting some kind of nighttime activity or gathering. The caption's irony is cutting: these figures—the KKK—claim to be "100% Americans" despite their violent, un-American conduct. The cartoon critiques the contradiction between nativist claims of patriotism and their actual lawless, terroristic behavior. Judge magazine is mocking the KKK's assertion of American supremacy while they operate outside legal and moral bounds, suggesting their version of "Americanism" is fundamentally un-American.