It's an enduring symbol of hatred and violence and for Karl Cassell, an utter disappointment.

"Disappointed because you wouldn't think someone would be quite that insensitive," he said.

A cheap, last minute costume that has left a bitter taste for many across eastern Iowa.

"it's a little bit ridiculous," said local DJ Static.

"To me it's offensive, definitely and I think that it was inappropriate," Sharri Simmons said.

"I'd equate it as someone dressed as Hitler and going through town," Tramond Franklin said.

It's a near universal reaction. But the ugly truth is that the KKK still exists. Some experts say it's actually growing, even right here in Iowa.

"Things that are winked at early on, things that are allowed to slide turn into a lifestyle," Cassell said.

Cassell, the Director of the Civil Rights Commission in Cedar Rapids, says the costumes are simply unacceptable.

"People actually lived through that terrible, terrible history and it's not a joke. It's not funny at all. It's just not funny," he said.

"A lot of people died because of outfits like that," Franklin said.

The concern for Cassell is that one prank or joke can turn into something serious and dangerous.

"If everyone sweeps it under the rug and pretends like it doesn't really exist, stuff will start to perpetuate itself, eventually," he said.

From Guttenburg to Cedar Rapids, he wants everyone to stand up against any symbol of hate.

"We as a community have to stand up and say we're not having it," Cassell said.KKK Costumes Show Symbols Still Matter