John Kasper was a Columbia University educated man who worked to organize protesters against the integration of Clinton High School in Clinton, Tennessee. During that time he was arrested but later acquitted, becomming the focal point of many protests. In 1957 he served eight months in jail for conspiracy. Once released, he called for a return to constitutionalism and created a third party, opposed to integration.
His new party promised to deport African-Americans back to Africa and strip Jews of their citizenship. Kasper allegedly promised to create a new flag and monetary system once he seized power. He was unsuccessful in his campaign, and attracted just 6,434 votes -- in Kentucky and Arkansas. Lyndon B. Johnson won the election with 43,127,041 votes, and Kasper faded into obscurity, his dreams of a return to Constitutionalsm and ethnic cleansing were dashed.
-Professor Walter
I just watched a PBS documentary on the Clinton, TN integration. I googled John Kasper and saw that he died in 1998 I believe. I was curious if how his views changed over the years and did he regret his actions in the '50's.
Thank you for any information about him.
Posted by: B.Therry | 02/17/2011 at 09:48 PM
That is a good question. All the literature that I based this article on are from that period, I do not know anything about what happened to him after the election other than he disappeared from public life. I will keep my eye open and add another comment if I find anything, if you do please add it as well.
Posted by: Professor Walter | 02/18/2011 at 05:08 PM