How this Black Man Be-Friended the Ku-Klux-Klan Leader!

Daryl Davis, a blues musician, was performing his music at the bar when this white man came up to Daryl and said “I really enjoy you all’s music.” Daryl thanked the man. The man then added that he hadn’t seen a black man play the piano like Jerry Lee Lewis before. Daryl was surprised and even explained the origin of such music was in fact from black people. As they continued having their drink together the white man said, “You know, this is the first time I ever sat down and had a drink with a black man?” Daryl was surprised to hear this because Daryl had spoken to many white people over a drink in his lifetime of only twenty-five years. This is when the white man revealed that he was part of the Ku Klux Klan. Daryl first laughed in disbelief, however, the white man proved he wasn’t joking by pulling out his Klan card. Daryl still found the man very friendly, and they still bonded over music. They had bonded because they had realized that they have something in common, in spite of their differences. The fact they were sitting together and talking was the first seed planted. This really was something considering the Ku Klux Klan is considered to be one of the most hateful groups, and is of course extremely racist. Even after talking with Daryl, a black man, the white man still believed that black people have genes inside of them that make them more violent, Daryl was shocked hearing this and said he hadn’t ever committed a crime before. The white man responded saying the gene is just latent. Daryl to prove how stupid the point was, responded by saying that white people have serial killer genes. There was not a single black serial killer that the white man could name. The white man then realized the flaw in his belief. This friendship he made with Daryl, later on, led him to leave the Klan. This change could’ve only occurred if they talked, and bonded in spite of their differences.

“When the talking ceases, is when the violence begins.” — Daryl Davis

Let’s go to Daryl’s childhood. The first instance of racism for Daryl was only when he came to the US at age 10. He was part of a Boy Scouts parade when the crowd started hurling cans, rocks, and bottles at him. He first thought it was because these people didn’t like Boy Scouts, however, he only later realized that he was the only one being thrown at. He was shocked. His parents explained to him the idea of racism; he thought his parents were lying to him because he couldn’t believe there were people who would hate others just because of skin color. He had faced other instances of racism as well; he was told he should be shipped back to Africa and was even once attacked by a racist cop. These incidents brought the question-

‘How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?’

The question drove him to read books on the topic, but he still couldn’t understand why people would hate someone just because of their skin color.

This is why he went on to talk with Roger Kelly (Roger Kelly later became the national leader of the Ku Klux Klan.) To his surprise, Roger wanted to stay in touch. Daryl hadn’t gone to Roger to become friends but wanted to know how could he hate someone he didn’t even know. They ended up becoming good friends, calling each other to their places, and having dinner together. Daryl attended the Klan rallies and Roger and his Klan members even listened to Daryl’s music. Roger made it clear that even if he did things together with Daryl it didn’t change his views and beliefs around keeping the races separate.

Daryl didn’t do much arguing, debating, or any of that, he just let Roger explain his views(however extreme they were.) This made Roger respect Daryl even though they both didn’t agree on the same things. He felt respected because a man who disagreed with him sat down and listened to his viewpoint. Listening not only made Roger feel respected but made Daryl understand where Roger was coming from, and also made Roger willing to hear from Daryl.

“Ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds hatred, hatred breeds anger, anger breeds destruction.” -Daryl Davis

Daryl has been talking to the members of the Ku Klux Klan for years and has ended up making 200 Klan members leave. He went in with knowledge of their Klan and belief system, and he was respected for it. The Klan members respected that someone who opposed their views still did the homework to understand the other person’s views.

Daryl holding the robe of a Klan member who left the Klan because of him

There are many things we can learn from Daryl’s journey that are especially important in this world of polarity-

• People don’t change their minds overnight. Daryl first became friends with Roger and only after several talks, did Roger change his mind.
• We can form friendships with people who see the world differently from us.
• The reason most people hold the views they do is because of the experiences they have faced.
• It might be easier for us to disagree but sometimes it’s more important to be more patient and understand.
• We fear what we don’t know, which brings hatred. Its because we don’t understand where the other person is coming from is why we hate them. We might even assume they are worse than they really are.

Daryl over the years has made two hundred Klan members leave the Klan and now has even written a book titled Klan-destine Relationships: A Black Man’s Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan and has even spoken on TEDx.

Daryl is definitely an inspiration, I find his story really interesting. I also hope you learned something new from this story. Thanks for reading :)

Originally published at https://infobites.substack.com.