Daryl Davis is a professional musician by trade, touring all over the states performing blues. However, music is not his only passion. Davis has spent over 30 years talking to and befriending the members of the Ku Klux Klan. One might ask why would a black man do that and the reason is quite simple — Davis is trying to understand the reasoning behind racism and end it not by opposing, but by listening and communicating.

His quest began when he was only ten years old, at a scout parade, when a group of white people started throwing bottles and shouting racial slurs at the only black boy in scouts group. That was the first time Davis encountered such violent systematic racism, and when his parents explained to him it was because of his skin color, Daryl only had one question — why? “It was inconceivable to me that someone who had never laid eyes on me, never spoken to me, knew absolutely nothing about me would want to inflict pain upon me for no other reason than the color of my skin” he explained. “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” was the question that Davis kept in his mind through the years as he studied various books on racial discrimination. But books couldn’t provide the answer, so when he grew up, he decided to go and ask the people of the Ku Klux Klan.

Through 30 years Davis managed to talk 200 people into leaving the KKK, as they would listen to his performances and speak with him often. One of them was Roger Kelly, who was the Grand Dragon of the KKK in Maryland. Kelly became close friends with Davis, even inviting him to become his daughter’s godfather. Upon leaving the clan, Roger Kelly handed his robe to Davis. He keeps the robes as trophies and proofs that race discrimination can be beaten. With over three decades of experiences, Davis has written a book “Klan-destine Relationships” as well as was the focus of “Accidental Courtesy” documentary.

Daryl Davis is a hero who managed to strip people of ignorance and ill intent with compassion and understanding, despite facing prejudice and hate just because of his skin color.

More info: daryldavis.com | Facebook

Daryl Davis is a 60-year-old professional musician, author and actor

Image credits: Jonathan Timmes

He has a strange passion — he spent over 3 decades attending the KKK rallies and talking to the members

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Davis is trying to understand the reasoning behind racism and end it not by opposing, but by communicating

Image credits: Jonathan Timmes

His quest started when he was only 10, after being a victim of racial violence

Image credits: Daryl Davis

“How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” was the question that Davis couldn’t let go

Image credits: Daryl Davis

After years of studying books on racism, Davis decided to talk to the KKK members to find the answer

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Through 30 years Davis managed to talk 200 people to leave the KKK, including Roger Kelly who was the Grand Dragon of the KKK in Maryland

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Kelly became close friends with Davis, even inviting him to become his daughter’s godfather

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Upon leaving the clan, Roger Kelly handed his robe to Davis, which he kept as a proof that racism can be beaten

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Davis has written a book “Klan-destine Relationships” and appeared in “Accidental Courtesy” documentary

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Daryl Davis is a hero who managed to strip people of ignorance and ill intent with compassion and understanding

Image credits: Daryl Davis

Watch his TEDx talk, where Davis shares his experiences through the years

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