Daryl Davis:
Using Communication as a Weapon to Disassemble the KKK
[Davis and KKK Member. Courtesy of Los Angeles Times]
Davis' Impact
Daryl Davis became friends with all three Klan leaders of the Maryland Klan: Roger Kelly, Robert White, and Chester Doles. As he convinced all these leaders to leave the Klan, the Ku Klux Klan in Maryland was effectively dismantled.
[Robert White and Davis. Courtesy of DarylDavis.com]
[Thom Robb,KKK Leader, and Davis. Courtesy of DarylDavis.com]
[KKK Member and Davis. Courtesy of CBS]
"You challenge them. But you don't challenge them rudely or violently. You do it politely and intelligently. And when you do things that way chances are they will reciprocate and give you a platform. So he and I would sit down and listen to one another over a period of time. And the cement that held his ideas together began to get cracks in it. And then it began to crumble. And then it fell apart. ~Daryl Davis
Davis has been credited with directly impacting 40-60 KKK members to leave the Klan and indirectly responsible for over 200 more of leaving the Klan. As KKK members left the Klan, Davis collected their robe as a representation of his efforts; he has collected over 30 robes.
[Daryl Davis and Robe Collection. Courtesy of CNN]
Today, Davis resides in his Maryland home and continues to speak out against instances of racial injustice such as the Charleston Church shooting and protests.
[Imperial Wizard Billy Snuffer and Davis in Charlottesville for Hearing of KKK Member related to Unite the Right Rally. Courtesy of CNN ]
Although racism is still prevalent in America today, as evidenced by mass incarceration, police brutality, and white privilege, Davis' work caused an ideological shift for many and inspired a new generation of activists to stand up against racism, through the peaceful means of communication.
[Peaceful Protestors Protesting Police Violence. Courtesy of Northeastern]
We must learn from Davis' experience when facing similar challenges that we encounter, whether it be a race issue or any other conflict. We must not forget that although we may have many differences of opinion with an opponent, we can find common ground and use respectful communication to argue our points and challenge our own beliefs. It has been shown time and time again that communication is the safest way to resolve arguments and in Davis' words, "communication is our most effective and successful weapon."
"Knowledge, information, wit, and the way you disseminate these attributes can often prove to be a more disarming weapon against an enemy or some with whom your ideology is in conflict, than violence or lethal weapons."
~ Daryl Davis