THE G-MAN INTERVIEWS: DARYL DAVIS
Legendary Musician Risking His Life to Reform KKK Members
Legendary Musician Risking His Life to Reform KKK Members
By Gary "G-Man" Toms
To the disbelief of many in the country, Daryl Davis has obtained unprecedented access to members of the Ku Klux Klan for more than two decades. He continues to meet with high-ranking leaders and members from all over the country, making him one of the most unique race relations experts and activists in America.
Originally from Chicago, but currently residing in Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC, Davis is a musician, actor, author and lecturer. He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University and is an accomplished Blues, Rock'n'Roll, Country, and Jazz musician. He performs and tours regularly with his own group, the Daryl Davis Band, and has worked extensively with the Legendary Blues Band and Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley's Jordanaires, Percy Sledge, and Sam Moore, among others.
After a performance in a country music bar, an audience member told Davis that he'd never seen a Black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis. Davis explained that he and Lewis learned from Black Blues and Boogie Woogie pianists. The man refused to believe that the origin of the music was rooted in Black culture, but he became a regular fan of Davis'. Unbeknownst to the musician, the man was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. The experience had such a profound impact on Davis that he decided to write a book, Klan-Destine Relationships. It was the first publication written by a Black author featuring interviews with KKK members.
Over the last twenty-five years, and in between gigs, Davis has walked perilously close to the edge when addressing the issue of race.
"My stories of attending KKK rallies and setting up surprise meetings with Klan leaders, all of whom were unaware of my skin color, have the suspense of a Hitchcock film. They keep audiences riveted to their seats in disbelief or complete shock. Basically, I'm taking on the oldest and most racist organization in the United States, by myself, and have been successful to a large extent," said Davis.
The Chicago native eventually became the recipient of robes and hoods of Klansmen who rescinded their beliefs after developing a close relationship with the musician. However, his methods have made him a subject of controversy, ridicule and scorn. To some whites, he has been deemed "politically incorrect", and some Blacks view him as nothing more than an "Uncle Tom," or "Oreo." Davis often refutes and silences his critics with the following response: "I have Klan robes and hoods hanging in my closet, given to me voluntarily by members who have quit the Klan since coming to know me. That's what I've done to improve race relations. How many robes and hoods have you received as a result of your methods?"
Davis has received acclaim for his book and his work in race relations from a number of respected media sources, such as CNN, CNBC, Good Morning America, The Learning Channel, National Public Radio, and The Washington Post, to name a few.
As an actor, he has appeared in the critically acclaimed television show The Wire and a number of stage plays and movie roles. In 2016, he was the subject of the documentary film An Accidental Courtesy, which received numerous awards and critical acclaim.
This interview was conducted via Skype on January 17, 2013.
Originally from Chicago, but currently residing in Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC, Davis is a musician, actor, author and lecturer. He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University and is an accomplished Blues, Rock'n'Roll, Country, and Jazz musician. He performs and tours regularly with his own group, the Daryl Davis Band, and has worked extensively with the Legendary Blues Band and Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley's Jordanaires, Percy Sledge, and Sam Moore, among others.
After a performance in a country music bar, an audience member told Davis that he'd never seen a Black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis. Davis explained that he and Lewis learned from Black Blues and Boogie Woogie pianists. The man refused to believe that the origin of the music was rooted in Black culture, but he became a regular fan of Davis'. Unbeknownst to the musician, the man was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. The experience had such a profound impact on Davis that he decided to write a book, Klan-Destine Relationships. It was the first publication written by a Black author featuring interviews with KKK members.
Over the last twenty-five years, and in between gigs, Davis has walked perilously close to the edge when addressing the issue of race.
"My stories of attending KKK rallies and setting up surprise meetings with Klan leaders, all of whom were unaware of my skin color, have the suspense of a Hitchcock film. They keep audiences riveted to their seats in disbelief or complete shock. Basically, I'm taking on the oldest and most racist organization in the United States, by myself, and have been successful to a large extent," said Davis.
The Chicago native eventually became the recipient of robes and hoods of Klansmen who rescinded their beliefs after developing a close relationship with the musician. However, his methods have made him a subject of controversy, ridicule and scorn. To some whites, he has been deemed "politically incorrect", and some Blacks view him as nothing more than an "Uncle Tom," or "Oreo." Davis often refutes and silences his critics with the following response: "I have Klan robes and hoods hanging in my closet, given to me voluntarily by members who have quit the Klan since coming to know me. That's what I've done to improve race relations. How many robes and hoods have you received as a result of your methods?"
Davis has received acclaim for his book and his work in race relations from a number of respected media sources, such as CNN, CNBC, Good Morning America, The Learning Channel, National Public Radio, and The Washington Post, to name a few.
As an actor, he has appeared in the critically acclaimed television show The Wire and a number of stage plays and movie roles. In 2016, he was the subject of the documentary film An Accidental Courtesy, which received numerous awards and critical acclaim.
This interview was conducted via Skype on January 17, 2013.
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