The Black Man Who Took on the KKK

Common Ground

We dwell on our differences—
Emphasize the our disagreements
To downplay our similarities;
Common ground is quicksand,
Muddied with bitter truths
The fear of sameness
     you struggle to escape
          and the harder you fight
               the deeper you fall...

At the bottom of the pit,
Beneath the sinking sand
Where common ground gives way
Grass grows green and healthy
     solid ground breeding solidarity
          and the fighting ends
               there is no more falling.

Daryl Davis: The Craziest Man Alive

Daryl Davis is a musician, specifically a pianist, who plays in the style of Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Music isn't what he's famous for, though. In 1983, while playing a gig, Davis was approached by a KKK member who was shocked at Davis' playing skills. The two struck up an unlikely friendship, bonding over music which led to Davis making friendship with other klansmen. These friendship challenged the misconception the klansmen had about blacks and caused them to rethink their views, eventually prompting them to leave the KKK. Davis is credited with dismantling the Maryland KKK.[1] Davis wrote a book entitled Klan-destine Relationships: A Black Man's Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan about his experiences. I haven't read the book yet, but it's definitely on my list of book to be read.

References

1. "'When two enemies are talking, they're not fighting': Meet the black man who has made a career out of befriending members of the KKK". Daily Mail. November 23, 2013
2. "KKK Member Walks Up To Black Musician In Bar, But It’s Not A Joke, And What Happens Next Will Astound You". Huffington Post. November 24, 2013
3. "Darryl Davis". Darryl Davis; visited 2014