African-American Man Convinces Klansmen to Leave the KKK through Friendship

 

 

My Buddhist teacher, the Venerable Urgyen Sangharakshita, has said that anyone can be friends with anyone, that this is his religion and that he would rather die than give it up.  

This may well be true, but I don'r necessarily think this is a good thing.  I have strong feelings about explaining racism to white people.  And yet, I find this story very inspiring.  This is challenging some of my opinions, assumptions and views. 

An African American man by the name of Daryl Davis decided he wanted to go along to Klan rallies and meetings, befriend Klan members and teach them not to be racist.  So he did.  

Unlike Ron Stallworth, the person Spike Lee focused on in his film BlackkKlansman, it was not his job.  He was not an undercover police officer.  He was just someone who wanted to make a difference. 

I personally would not have seen the point in doing this.  But Davis states that 200 Klan members have left the Klan as a direct result of his befriending them.  Food for thought.  As I say, I find this truly inspiring. 

This just goes to show that anyone can make a difference.  One person can make a huge difference. 

It's amazing what communication can do.  Go here for more about Nonviolent Communication (NVC).  This is not to say that Daryl Davis uses NVC.  But what he is doing clearly works.  

What are your thoughts?  Please post below.  

See also:  The Black Man Who Attends Klan Rallies. 

 

The Black Man Who Attends Klan Rallies

I am sure you have heard about Spike Lee's new film, BlacKkKlansman.

In this TED talk, Daryl Davis talks about forming a friendship with a Klan leader.  He didn't do it because it was his job. Unlike Ron Stallworth, the author of BlacK Klansman: A Memoir and subject of Spike Lee's film, Daryl Davis was not an undercover police officer.  

Davis was fascinated with finding out how, and why, people hate others whom they don't even know.  So he approached the Klan. 

This TED talk shows that true friendship can form between people who come from conflicting ideologies, even the white supremacist ideology of the Klan. 

Daryl Davis has proven that, although we stronngly disagree, we can have mutual respect for one another.  And we can connect with, and form friendships with, anyone. 

See also:  Spike Lee Wants Us to Respect Our White Allies.  

Please leave your comments below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

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