How a 1946 Radio Show Took on White Supremacy
In the summer of 1946, Superman didn’t just leap tall
buildings—he leapt into one of the most courageous battles in pop culture
history. In a 16-part arc of The Adventures of Superman radio show, the
Man of Steel took on a fictional hate group called the Clan of the Fiery Cross.
Modeled after the Ku Klux Klan, this storyline wasn’t just entertainment—it was
a strategic strike against real-world racism.
The Storyline: Courage in the Airwaves
The arc begins when a Chinese-American boy named Tommy
Lee joins a youth baseball team. His inclusion sparks outrage from a local hate
group, the Clan of the Fiery Cross, who begin threatening his family. Superman
steps in—not just to protect Tommy, but to expose and dismantle the clan’s
ideology and tactics.
The show aired in June and July of 1946, just as
America was grappling with postwar racial tensions and the resurgence of white
supremacist groups. The writers didn’t hold back: the clan was portrayed as
cowardly, ignorant, and dangerous. Superman’s intervention was both physical
and moral—he used his strength and his voice to challenge hate.
The Real-Life Spy Behind the Scenes
Civil rights activist and journalist Stetson Kennedy
played a pivotal role in the arc’s creation. Kennedy infiltrated the real Ku
Klux Klan and passed their secret codes, rituals, and language to the show’s
producers. These details were woven into the broadcast, effectively mocking and
demystifying the Klan’s aura of power.
Kennedy’s goal was clear: use Superman’s popularity to
undermine the Klan’s recruitment and public image. And it worked.
Public Reception: A Cultural Body Blow
The response was swift and powerful.
Listeners—especially children—were captivated by Superman’s stand against
racism. The Klan, on the other hand, was humiliated. Their secret rituals were
now public knowledge, and their image as a fearsome underground force was
shattered.
While exact ratings data from the time is scarce, anecdotal evidence and later interviews suggest the arc had a chilling effect on Klan recruitment. Kennedy himself claimed the show did more to damage the Klan than many political efforts.
Listen to the radio show here.
Legacy and Revival
The story’s impact didn’t fade. In 2019, DC Comics
released Superman Smashes the Klan, a three-part graphic novel by Gene
Luen Yang and Gurihiru. It reimagines the 1946 arc for modern audiences,
emphasizing themes of identity, courage, and community solidarity.
Why It Still Matters
“Clan of the Fiery Cross” wasn’t just a radio drama—it
was a cultural intervention. It showed that superheroes could do more than
fight aliens and mad scientists. They could fight hate. They could stand for
justice in the real world.
In an era where media is often criticized for avoiding
controversy, this 1946 broadcast reminds us that storytelling can be a weapon
against injustice. Superman didn’t just wear a cape—he wore conviction.
About the Author
Daryl Horton is a technical and creative writer who is
passionate about being creative. He has comprehensive training in business
information management, information systems management, and creative and
technical writing. Daryl has the knowledge and skills to help organizations
optimize their performance and maximize their potential. He spent several years
in a Knowledge Management PhD program at Walden University, nearly completing
it, but resigned from the program during his dissertation phase to pursue his
passion for creativity (http://www.abolitic.com/). Despite his love for
creativity, he often finds himself participating in groups where his technical
experiences add value.
You can find more information about Daryl Horton on his
LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/darylhorton/.
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