A&E changes title of controversial KKK docuseries following backlash

For much of the past week, A&E has found itself in the news cycle because of one of their upcoming projects, a documentary series about the inner workings of the Ku Klux Klan and the attempts by certain people to escape from it. For some, there was a clear issue the name “Generation KKK,” which led some to believe that the show was out to normalize the existence of the group and show a more human side of them. That was never the intention, but in seeing a title like that, it’s pretty easy to understand why there would be some outrage. For others, the criticism stems from creating the series itself, and the sentiment that having this show out there allows the group to get a platform. We’ve certainly seen this year that any publicity can sometimes be good publicity.

While it doesn’t appear as though the cable network is doing much in terms of resolving the latter criticism, they have resolved the further. In a press-release on Friday, they confirmed that the series is now going to be called something that makes it clearer precisely what the intent of the series truly is:

“In consultation with our partners at the ADL and Color Of Change, the network is changing the name of the show to ensure that no one can mistake its intent and that the title alone does not serve to normalize the Klan … The new title, Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America, better reflects our longstanding intention and the content itself.”

We do find this title to certainly be a good replacement for the original one; while it doesn’t necessarily compel us to want to watch, this entire story shows that titles in the entertainment industry do matter. We’re in the age of hyper-sensitivity and also in the age where we see and process news quickly and rely solely on first impressions; the new title is a mouthful, but it does achieve the goal of clarity.

Does the change in this series’ title make you want to even consider watching the show, or do you still intend on staying away? Share now in the comments below. (Photo: A&E.)