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.  

Go here for the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence.

Spike Lee Wants Us to Respect Our White Allies

I am so glad Spike Lee has said this.  And, of course, he is right.  There have always been white people who were committed to justice.  And there have always been white people who risked, and sometimes lost, their lives due to their commitment to justice. 

During slavery, the people who owned the safe houses in the Underground Railroad were often white. 

Having said that, a lot of the violence that's going on now is no different from what happened during slavery. 

During apartheid in South Africa, some white people were imprisoned and risked losing their lives for challenging the apartheid regime.  Many others protested against apartheid internationally. 

And in Jim Crow America, white people risked their lives on the Freedom Rides.  

So let's not forget our history.  

And always remember, WHITE PEOPLE ARE NOT OUR ENEMIES.  I'm sure you know this already.  

The enemy is group mentality.  

Racism, racial discrimination, racist violence, racial profiling, bigotry - these are all different ways of saying "group mentality".  And it's not just about race.  Everybody has some group mentality. 

White people often come with group mentality, and when they do, they are our enemies.  Group mentality is vicious. 

Go here to read what Spike has to say. 

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

Not Gonna Fall in Your Lap

"It's not just gonna fall in your lap." These are some wise words from legendary film director Spike Lee.  Click here to watch the video on Spike Lee's advice to aspiring filmmakers. 

 

Did you know it took him 20 years to make the Malcolm X film, from inception to the final production? 

Too many of our people are waiting for something to drop into their laps - waiting for some hero, leader or saviour to rescue them.  That's what I said in "Do You Play the Lottery?"  Please check this out and leave your comments there. 

Spike Lee, African American Filmmaker Entrepreneur

Spike Lee is a filmmaking genius and undisputed trailblazer. He changed the face of Hollywood. 

And when Lee had trouble getting the studio to fund his Malcolm X film, he raised money from prominent members of the Black community. 

Click here to read more about Spike Lee. Plus check out his Black History Month Quote of the Day. 

Click here for more about Black business success.