Because Tim would consider that hyperbole.
No, I would consider it a fairly accurate statement. There was a lot of racism, bigotry, segregation ect. in the South, and most of it wasn't from the KKK. The KKK was only a small part of the South and it was only a small part of the racism. If by "the KKK was merely the tip of the iceberg" Gustave meant that there was a lot of racism besides from people who were not in the KKK than he is making an accurate statement.
In his mind, if you can't prove it factually, then it doesn't exist.
I can tell you that is very far from the truth.
In reality, the South is exactly as you describe it above. From time to time, they proclaim its the "New South" but in fact, racism, God, the Bible and Nascar in that order rule the region.
Now that is hyperbole ("extravagant exaggeration" Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University).
Tim |
