ever since I graduated from college in 1980 with my degree in music I’ve been a
1980 with my degree in music I’ve been a
1980 with my degree in music I’ve been a full-time musician traveling and
full-time musician traveling and
full-time musician traveling and performing all over this country and
performing all over this country and
performing all over this country and around the world and what I’ve come to
around the world and what I’ve come to
around the world and what I’ve come to find to be the greatest and most
find to be the greatest and most
find to be the greatest and most effective and successful weapon that we
effective and successful weapon that we
effective and successful weapon that we can use known to man to combat such
can use known to man to combat such
can use known to man to combat such adversaries as ignorance racism hatred
adversaries as ignorance racism hatred
adversaries as ignorance racism hatred violence is also the least expensive
violence is also the least expensive
violence is also the least expensive weapon and the one that is the least
weapon and the one that is the least
weapon and the one that is the least used by Americans that weapon is called
used by Americans that weapon is called
used by Americans that weapon is called communication and in order to understand
communication and in order to understand
communication and in order to understand how I arrived at this let’s go back to
how I arrived at this let’s go back to
how I arrived at this let’s go back to 1968 when I was 10 years old I was
1968 when I was 10 years old I was
1968 when I was 10 years old I was living in Belmont Massachusetts just got
living in Belmont Massachusetts just got
living in Belmont Massachusetts just got there and I was one of two black kids in
there and I was one of two black kids in
there and I was one of two black kids in my fourth-grade class we had I joined
my fourth-grade class we had I joined
my fourth-grade class we had I joined the Cub Scouts we had a march from
the Cub Scouts we had a march from
the Cub Scouts we had a march from Lexington to Concord to commemorate the
Lexington to Concord to commemorate the
Lexington to Concord to commemorate the ride of Paul Revere it was an all-white
ride of Paul Revere it was an all-white
ride of Paul Revere it was an all-white Cub Scout troop and the sidewalks were
Cub Scout troop and the sidewalks were
Cub Scout troop and the sidewalks were lined with nothing but white people
lined with nothing but white people
lined with nothing but white people cheering us on as we marched my den
cheering us on as we marched my den
cheering us on as we marched my den mother let me carry the American flag
mother let me carry the American flag
mother let me carry the American flag and somewhere as I was marching down
and somewhere as I was marching down
and somewhere as I was marching down this parade route with my fellow Scouts
this parade route with my fellow Scouts
this parade route with my fellow Scouts I began getting hit with bottles and
I began getting hit with bottles and
I began getting hit with bottles and soda pop cans and rocks and debris from
soda pop cans and rocks and debris from
soda pop cans and rocks and debris from the street by a small group of white
the street by a small group of white
the street by a small group of white spectators within the larger group I had
spectators within the larger group I had
spectators within the larger group I had never experienced this before and my
never experienced this before and my
never experienced this before and my being naive my first thought was oh they
being naive my first thought was oh they
being naive my first thought was oh they don’t like the scouts I didn’t realize
don’t like the scouts I didn’t realize
don’t like the scouts I didn’t realize that I was the only Scout getting hit
that I was the only Scout getting hit
that I was the only Scout getting hit until my den mother troop leader path
until my den mother troop leader path
until my den mother troop leader path leader all come came rushing back and
leader all come came rushing back and
leader all come came rushing back and huddled over me with their bodies and if
huddled over me with their bodies and if
huddled over me with their bodies and if scored at me out of the danger when I
scored at me out of the danger when I
scored at me out of the danger when I got home my mom and dad who were not at
got home my mom and dad who were not at
got home my mom and dad who were not at the parade were fixing me up putting on
the parade were fixing me up putting on
the parade were fixing me up putting on mercurochrome and band-aids and asking
mercurochrome and band-aids and asking
mercurochrome and band-aids and asking me how did you fall down and get all
me how did you fall down and get all
me how did you fall down and get all scraped up I told them I didn’t fall
scraped up I told them I didn’t fall
scraped up I told them I didn’t fall down
down
down told them exactly what had happened for
told them exactly what had happened for
told them exactly what had happened for the first time in my life they explained
the first time in my life they explained
the first time in my life they explained racism to me I had no idea what it was
racism to me I had no idea what it was
racism to me I had no idea what it was at the age of 10 but I formed a question
at the age of 10 but I formed a question
at the age of 10 but I formed a question in my mind at that time that question
in my mind at that time that question
in my mind at that time that question was how can you hate me when you don’t
was how can you hate me when you don’t
was how can you hate me when you don’t even know me
even know me
even know me and for the next 49 years I’ve been
and for the next 49 years I’ve been
and for the next 49 years I’ve been looking for that answer
looking for that answer
looking for that answer music became my profession but studying
music became my profession but studying
music became my profession but studying race relations became my obsession so
race relations became my obsession so
race relations became my obsession so after graduating I joined a country
after graduating I joined a country
after graduating I joined a country western band country music had become
western band country music had become
western band country music had become popular I found myself in a bar in a
popular I found myself in a bar in a
popular I found myself in a bar in a country bar in which I was the only
country bar in which I was the only
country bar in which I was the only black person in there black people were
black person in there black people were
black person in there black people were not welcome although they could come in
not welcome although they could come in
not welcome although they could come in they were not welcome here I was in this
they were not welcome here I was in this
they were not welcome here I was in this place and after the first set of white
place and after the first set of white
place and after the first set of white gentlemen came up behind me put his arm
gentlemen came up behind me put his arm
gentlemen came up behind me put his arm around my shoulder and said man I really
around my shoulder and said man I really
around my shoulder and said man I really like your piano playing this is the
like your piano playing this is the
like your piano playing this is the first time I ever heard a black man play
first time I ever heard a black man play
first time I ever heard a black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis now I was not
piano like Jerry Lee Lewis now I was not
piano like Jerry Lee Lewis now I was not offended but I was kind of surprised
offended but I was kind of surprised
offended but I was kind of surprised like didn’t this guy know the origin of
like didn’t this guy know the origin of
like didn’t this guy know the origin of Jerry Lee’s style and I said to him I
Jerry Lee’s style and I said to him I
Jerry Lee’s style and I said to him I wasn’t trying to be facetious but I said
wasn’t trying to be facetious but I said
wasn’t trying to be facetious but I said where do you think Jerry Lee Lewis
where do you think Jerry Lee Lewis
where do you think Jerry Lee Lewis learned how to play he says what are you
learned how to play he says what are you
learned how to play he says what are you talking about
talking about
talking about I said well Jerry Lee learned that style
I said well Jerry Lee learned that style
I said well Jerry Lee learned that style from the same place I did from black
from the same place I did from black
from the same place I did from black blues and boogie woogie piano players
blues and boogie woogie piano players
blues and boogie woogie piano players that’s what that rockabilly rock and
that’s what that rockabilly rock and
that’s what that rockabilly rock and roll style came from oh no Jerry Lee
roll style came from oh no Jerry Lee
roll style came from oh no Jerry Lee invented that I never heard no black man
invented that I never heard no black man
invented that I never heard no black man play like that well I told the man I
play like that well I told the man I
play like that well I told the man I know Jerry Lee Lewis personally he’s a
know Jerry Lee Lewis personally he’s a
know Jerry Lee Lewis personally he’s a very good friend of mine he’s told me
very good friend of mine he’s told me
very good friend of mine he’s told me himself where he learned how to play the
himself where he learned how to play the
himself where he learned how to play the guy didn’t buy that I knew Jerry Lee he
guy didn’t buy that I knew Jerry Lee he
guy didn’t buy that I knew Jerry Lee he didn’t buy that
didn’t buy that
didn’t buy that Jerry Lee learn anything from black
Jerry Lee learn anything from black
Jerry Lee learn anything from black people but he was fascinated with me
people but he was fascinated with me
people but he was fascinated with me then he wanted to buy me a drink I don’t
then he wanted to buy me a drink I don’t
then he wanted to buy me a drink I don’t drink alcohol but I went back to his
drink alcohol but I went back to his
drink alcohol but I went back to his table and had a cranberry juice he took
table and had a cranberry juice he took
table and had a cranberry juice he took this glass he clink my glass and cheered
this glass he clink my glass and cheered
this glass he clink my glass and cheered me and then he made another announcement
me and then he made another announcement
me and then he made another announcement he said you know this is the first time
he said you know this is the first time
he said you know this is the first time I ever sat down and had a drink with a
I ever sat down and had a drink with a
I ever sat down and had a drink with a black man so I’m thinking you know this
black man so I’m thinking you know this
black man so I’m thinking you know this guy is really having a night of firsts
guy is really having a night of firsts
guy is really having a night of firsts here
here
here again I was naive and I had to ask him
again I was naive and I had to ask him
again I was naive and I had to ask him why three times before he told me I’m a
why three times before he told me I’m a
why three times before he told me I’m a member of the Ku Klux Klan
member of the Ku Klux Klan
member of the Ku Klux Klan well I burst out laughing at him because
well I burst out laughing at him because
well I burst out laughing at him because I did not believe him you know I knew
I did not believe him you know I knew
I did not believe him you know I knew the plan you know didn’t just come up
the plan you know didn’t just come up
the plan you know didn’t just come up and embrace black people and praised
and embrace black people and praised
and embrace black people and praised their piano playing want to hang out and
their piano playing want to hang out and
their piano playing want to hang out and buy him a drink it doesn’t work that way
buy him a drink it doesn’t work that way
buy him a drink it doesn’t work that way but we talked and exchanged information
but we talked and exchanged information
but we talked and exchanged information and I would call him every time I was to
and I would call him every time I was to
and I would call him every time I was to come back to this bar and he would brain
come back to this bar and he would brain
come back to this bar and he would brain Klansmen and clans women to watch me
Klansmen and clans women to watch me
Klansmen and clans women to watch me play then it dawned on me this is where
play then it dawned on me this is where
play then it dawned on me this is where I can find the answer to my question
I can find the answer to my question
I can find the answer to my question that I had formed when I was 10 years
that I had formed when I was 10 years
that I had formed when I was 10 years old that I’ve been looking for how can
old that I’ve been looking for how can
old that I’ve been looking for how can you hate me
you hate me
you hate me we don’t even know me who better to ask
we don’t even know me who better to ask
we don’t even know me who better to ask than someone who would join an
than someone who would join an
than someone who would join an organization whose whole premise has
organization whose whole premise has
organization whose whole premise has been hating those who do not look like
been hating those who do not look like
been hating those who do not look like them and who do not believe as they
them and who do not believe as they
them and who do not believe as they believe and sometimes exacting violence
believe and sometimes exacting violence
believe and sometimes exacting violence upon them so I got back in contact with
upon them so I got back in contact with
upon them so I got back in contact with that guy some years later I went to his
that guy some years later I went to his
that guy some years later I went to his apartment and I asked him to give me the
apartment and I asked him to give me the
apartment and I asked him to give me the phone number and address of the Klan
phone number and address of the Klan
phone number and address of the Klan leader for the state of Maryland well he
leader for the state of Maryland well he
leader for the state of Maryland well he reluctantly did so on the condition that
reluctantly did so on the condition that
reluctantly did so on the condition that I not revealed with this guy where I got
I not revealed with this guy where I got
I not revealed with this guy where I got his personal information and he warned
his personal information and he warned
his personal information and he warned me he said Darrell do not fool with this
me he said Darrell do not fool with this
me he said Darrell do not fool with this guy’s and was Roger Kelly he will kill
guy’s and was Roger Kelly he will kill
guy’s and was Roger Kelly he will kill you and I was not to be deterred but I
you and I was not to be deterred but I
you and I was not to be deterred but I had my secretary a call mr. Kelly and
had my secretary a call mr. Kelly and
had my secretary a call mr. Kelly and tell him that she works for someone
tell him that she works for someone
tell him that she works for someone who’s writing a book on the Klan would
who’s writing a book on the Klan would
who’s writing a book on the Klan would he consent to sitting down and doing an
he consent to sitting down and doing an
he consent to sitting down and doing an interview face-to-face I told her do not
interview face-to-face I told her do not
interview face-to-face I told her do not tell him but I’m black he’ll figure that
tell him but I’m black he’ll figure that
tell him but I’m black he’ll figure that out when he sees me if he agrees right
out when he sees me if he agrees right
out when he sees me if he agrees right so she called he didn’t ask what color I
so she called he didn’t ask what color I
so she called he didn’t ask what color I was and agreed to do the interview we
was and agreed to do the interview we
was and agreed to do the interview we secured a motel room she and I got there
secured a motel room she and I got there
secured a motel room she and I got there super early we filled up the ice bucket
super early we filled up the ice bucket
super early we filled up the ice bucket with ice put some cans of soda in there
with ice put some cans of soda in there
with ice put some cans of soda in there to get them warm I mean to get them cold
to get them warm I mean to get them cold
to get them warm I mean to get them cold and to be able to offer him a beverage
and to be able to offer him a beverage
and to be able to offer him a beverage when he arrived I didn’t know what he
when he arrived I didn’t know what he
when he arrived I didn’t know what he was gonna do or once he saw me would he
was gonna do or once he saw me would he
was gonna do or once he saw me would he attack me would he say I’m not gonna
attack me would he say I’m not gonna
attack me would he say I’m not gonna talk to you and walk away or would he
talk to you and walk away or would he
talk to you and walk away or would he come in and sit down and do the
come in and sit down and do the
come in and sit down and do the interview either way I want to be ready
interview either way I want to be ready
interview either way I want to be ready to be hospitable
to be hospitable
to be hospitable and offer him a cold drink so when he
and offer him a cold drink so when he
and offer him a cold drink so when he arrived first in walks his bodyguard who
arrived first in walks his bodyguard who
arrived first in walks his bodyguard who was armed right behind him was the
was armed right behind him was the
was armed right behind him was the leader of the clan in a dark blue suit
leader of the clan in a dark blue suit
leader of the clan in a dark blue suit and tie when the bodyguard stepped into
and tie when the bodyguard stepped into
and tie when the bodyguard stepped into the room and saw me he froze and the the
the room and saw me he froze and the the
the room and saw me he froze and the the the leader did not realize that his
the leader did not realize that his
the leader did not realize that his guard had stopped he slammed into his
guard had stopped he slammed into his
guard had stopped he slammed into his back and knocked him forward and he
back and knocked him forward and he
back and knocked him forward and he began looking all around the room ah ah
began looking all around the room ah ah
began looking all around the room ah ah something’s wrong either we’re in the
something’s wrong either we’re in the
something’s wrong either we’re in the wrong room or this is an ambush so I
wrong room or this is an ambush so I
wrong room or this is an ambush so I stood up I went like this to show I had
stood up I went like this to show I had
stood up I went like this to show I had nothing in my hands and I walked forward
nothing in my hands and I walked forward
nothing in my hands and I walked forward and said hi I’m Daryl Davis he shook my
and said hi I’m Daryl Davis he shook my
and said hi I’m Daryl Davis he shook my hand but the bodyguard shook man as well
hand but the bodyguard shook man as well
hand but the bodyguard shook man as well I said come on in come on in have a seat
I said come on in come on in have a seat
I said come on in come on in have a seat the leader sat down with the buddy to
the leader sat down with the buddy to
the leader sat down with the buddy to are standing into attention at his right
are standing into attention at his right
are standing into attention at his right I sat down we got on with this interview
I sat down we got on with this interview
I sat down we got on with this interview but I had a bag beside me in which I had
but I had a bag beside me in which I had
but I had a bag beside me in which I had some blank cassettes I had a cassette
some blank cassettes I had a cassette
some blank cassettes I had a cassette player on the table so every time my
player on the table so every time my
player on the table so every time my cassette would run out I’d reach down
cassette would run out I’d reach down
cassette would run out I’d reach down into the bag pull out a fresh cassette
into the bag pull out a fresh cassette
into the bag pull out a fresh cassette every time I’d reach like this The
every time I’d reach like this The
every time I’d reach like this The Bodyguard would reach like this after a
Bodyguard would reach like this after a
Bodyguard would reach like this after a while he realized there was no threat in
while he realized there was no threat in
while he realized there was no threat in the bag
the bag
the bag and he relaxed a little over an hour
and he relaxed a little over an hour
and he relaxed a little over an hour into this interview there was kind of a
into this interview there was kind of a
into this interview there was kind of a strange quick noise and we all jumped
strange quick noise and we all jumped
strange quick noise and we all jumped and I knew that the clan leader had made
and I knew that the clan leader had made
and I knew that the clan leader had made that noise I didn’t know what that noise
that noise I didn’t know what that noise
that noise I didn’t know what that noise was I never heard a noise like that
was I never heard a noise like that
was I never heard a noise like that before
before
before so I automatically perceived it to be an
so I automatically perceived it to be an
so I automatically perceived it to be an ominous threatening noise and I was
ominous threatening noise and I was
ominous threatening noise and I was hearing that other clans man’s voice in
hearing that other clans man’s voice in
hearing that other clans man’s voice in my head derald Roger Kelly will kill you
my head derald Roger Kelly will kill you
my head derald Roger Kelly will kill you I didn’t want to die I popped up out of
I didn’t want to die I popped up out of
I didn’t want to die I popped up out of my chair I hit the table I was getting
my chair I hit the table I was getting
my chair I hit the table I was getting ready to come across that table and take
ready to come across that table and take
ready to come across that table and take down the clan leader and the bodyguard
down the clan leader and the bodyguard
down the clan leader and the bodyguard because I was not armed but I was going
because I was not armed but I was going
because I was not armed but I was going to just slam them down to the ground
to just slam them down to the ground
to just slam them down to the ground take away the guy’s gun I did not want
take away the guy’s gun I did not want
take away the guy’s gun I did not want to die I did not want my secretary to
to die I did not want my secretary to
to die I did not want my secretary to die well when I came up my eyes locked
die well when I came up my eyes locked
die well when I came up my eyes locked with the clan leader
with the clan leader
with the clan leader I didn’t say a word my eyes spoke loud
I didn’t say a word my eyes spoke loud
I didn’t say a word my eyes spoke loud and clear they were saying to him what
and clear they were saying to him what
and clear they were saying to him what did you just do well his eyes had locked
did you just do well his eyes had locked
did you just do well his eyes had locked with mine he didn’t say a word but I
with mine he didn’t say a word but I
with mine he didn’t say a word but I read his eyes his eyes were saying to me
read his eyes his eyes were saying to me
read his eyes his eyes were saying to me what did you just do and the bodyguard
what did you just do and the bodyguard
what did you just do and the bodyguard was looking back and forth between both
was looking back and forth between both
was looking back and forth between both of us like this would either one of
of us like this would either one of
of us like this would either one of y’all just do my secretary realized what
y’all just do my secretary realized what
y’all just do my secretary realized what happened the ice in the bucket had
happened the ice in the bucket had
happened the ice in the bucket had melted and the Kansas soda came
melted and the Kansas soda came
melted and the Kansas soda came cascading down the ice and then it made
cascading down the ice and then it made
cascading down the ice and then it made that same noise and we all began
that same noise and we all began
that same noise and we all began laughing at how ignorant we all had been
laughing at how ignorant we all had been
laughing at how ignorant we all had been yes we’re enemies he’s the head of the
yes we’re enemies he’s the head of the
yes we’re enemies he’s the head of the Klan I’m a black guy but for that moment
Klan I’m a black guy but for that moment
Klan I’m a black guy but for that moment we shared a common laughter it was a
we shared a common laughter it was a
we shared a common laughter it was a teaching moment I won’t say it was a
teaching moment I won’t say it was a
teaching moment I won’t say it was a learning moment yet but it was a
learning moment yet but it was a
learning moment yet but it was a teaching moment and the lesson taught
teaching moment and the lesson taught
teaching moment and the lesson taught was this all because some foreign entity
was this all because some foreign entity
was this all because some foreign entity of which we were unaware that being the
of which we were unaware that being the
of which we were unaware that being the bucket of ice and Kansas soda entered
bucket of ice and Kansas soda entered
bucket of ice and Kansas soda entered into our little comfort zone via the
into our little comfort zone via the
into our little comfort zone via the noise that it made we became fearful and
noise that it made we became fearful and
noise that it made we became fearful and accusatory of one another the lesson
accusatory of one another the lesson
accusatory of one another the lesson taught is this ignorance breeds fear if
taught is this ignorance breeds fear if
taught is this ignorance breeds fear if you do not keep that fear in check that
you do not keep that fear in check that
you do not keep that fear in check that fear in turn will breed hatred because
fear in turn will breed hatred because
fear in turn will breed hatred because we hate those fins that frighten us if
we hate those fins that frighten us if
we hate those fins that frighten us if you do not keep that hatred in check
you do not keep that hatred in check
you do not keep that hatred in check that hatred in turn will breed
that hatred in turn will breed
that hatred in turn will breed destruction we want to destroy those
destruction we want to destroy those
destruction we want to destroy those things that we hate why because they
things that we hate why because they
things that we hate why because they frighten us but guess what they may have
frighten us but guess what they may have
frighten us but guess what they may have been harmless and we were simply
been harmless and we were simply
been harmless and we were simply ignorant so we just had some more laughs
ignorant so we just had some more laughs
ignorant so we just had some more laughs we carried on with the conversation no
we carried on with the conversation no
we carried on with the conversation no more problems I would invite the man you
more problems I would invite the man you
more problems I would invite the man you know I had I was interviewing clan
know I had I was interviewing clan
know I had I was interviewing clan people all around the country he was the
people all around the country he was the
people all around the country he was the first I would invite him down to my
first I would invite him down to my
first I would invite him down to my house he there’s about an hour and a
house he there’s about an hour and a
house he there’s about an hour and a half away he would come down to my house
half away he would come down to my house
half away he would come down to my house with his bodyguard I would invite over
with his bodyguard I would invite over
with his bodyguard I would invite over some of my other black friends some of
some of my other black friends some of
some of my other black friends some of my white friends some of my Jewish
my white friends some of my Jewish
my white friends some of my Jewish friends just to allow the leader to
friends just to allow the leader to
friends just to allow the leader to engage in conversation with other people
engage in conversation with other people
engage in conversation with other people other than me
other than me
other than me this went on for a couple of years after
this went on for a couple of years after
this went on for a couple of years after a couple years he got promoted from
a couple years he got promoted from
a couple years he got promoted from state leader Grand Dragon to national
state leader Grand Dragon to national
state leader Grand Dragon to national leader Imperial wizard he began inviting
leader Imperial wizard he began inviting
leader Imperial wizard he began inviting me to his house I would go to his house
me to his house I would go to his house
me to his house I would go to his house I would see his Klan den where he’d have
I would see his Klan den where he’d have
I would see his Klan den where he’d have his meetings
his meetings
his meetings take some more notes from my book he
take some more notes from my book he
take some more notes from my book he began inviting me to Klan rallies I go
began inviting me to Klan rallies I go
began inviting me to Klan rallies I go to these Klan rallies watching these
to these Klan rallies watching these
to these Klan rallies watching these Klansmen and flans women in their robes
Klansmen and flans women in their robes
Klansmen and flans women in their robes and hoods parade around this big 20 to
and hoods parade around this big 20 to
and hoods parade around this big 20 to 30 foot cross with their torches and
30 foot cross with their torches and
30 foot cross with their torches and then go to the base of the cross for
then go to the base of the cross for
then go to the base of the cross for that throw and throw down their torches
that throw and throw down their torches
that throw and throw down their torches and then whoosh this big thing will be
and then whoosh this big thing will be
and then whoosh this big thing will be on fire they would give speeches and
on fire they would give speeches and
on fire they would give speeches and things like that
things like that
things like that well CNN knew who I was through music
well CNN knew who I was through music
well CNN knew who I was through music they knew who he was through the Klan I
they knew who he was through the Klan I
they knew who he was through the Klan I thought this would make a great story so
thought this would make a great story so
thought this would make a great story so they asked me who owns the next time I
they asked me who owns the next time I
they asked me who owns the next time I was going to a Klan rally I told him and
was going to a Klan rally I told him and
was going to a Klan rally I told him and they said it was on a Saturday they said
they said it was on a Saturday they said
they said it was on a Saturday they said are you performing anywhere Friday night
are you performing anywhere Friday night
are you performing anywhere Friday night I said yeah so they came by the club
I said yeah so they came by the club
I said yeah so they came by the club where I was playing with my band they
where I was playing with my band they
where I was playing with my band they filmed me to show what I do for a living
filmed me to show what I do for a living
filmed me to show what I do for a living normally and then they came to my house
normally and then they came to my house
normally and then they came to my house Saturday morning and followed me two
Saturday morning and followed me two
Saturday morning and followed me two hours up the road and they said to me do
hours up the road and they said to me do
hours up the road and they said to me do you think mr. Kelly will even talk to us
you think mr. Kelly will even talk to us
you think mr. Kelly will even talk to us I said I’ll do better than that when the
I said I’ll do better than that when the
I said I’ll do better than that when the rally is over I’ll get the Imperial
rally is over I’ll get the Imperial
rally is over I’ll get the Imperial wizard to come back to my house and you
wizard to come back to my house and you
wizard to come back to my house and you can interview the head of the Ku Klux
can interview the head of the Ku Klux
can interview the head of the Ku Klux Klan inside a black man’s house I said
Klan inside a black man’s house I said
Klan inside a black man’s house I said oh okay so they filmed the whole rally
oh okay so they filmed the whole rally
oh okay so they filmed the whole rally and this clip was shown on CNN every
and this clip was shown on CNN every
and this clip was shown on CNN every hour for 24 hours all over the world I
hour for 24 hours all over the world I
hour for 24 hours all over the world I want to show it to you now but I want
want to show it to you now but I want
want to show it to you now but I want you to pay particular attention to what
you to pay particular attention to what
you to pay particular attention to what mr. Kelly says here you go
mr. Kelly says here you go
mr. Kelly says here you go [Music]
[Music]
[Music] friendship can transcend all kinds of
friendship can transcend all kinds of
friendship can transcend all kinds of boundaries let’s look at us and two men
boundaries let’s look at us and two men
boundaries let’s look at us and two men in Washington area are showing that even
in Washington area are showing that even
in Washington area are showing that even an african-american man and a member of
an african-american man and a member of
an african-american man and a member of the Ku Klux Klan can find common ground
the Ku Klux Klan can find common ground
the Ku Klux Klan can find common ground CNN’s carl rochelle reports
CNN’s carl rochelle reports
CNN’s carl rochelle reports Gerald Davis plays a hot piano it’s part
Gerald Davis plays a hot piano it’s part
Gerald Davis plays a hot piano it’s part of the show and it makes him stand out
he also stands out here Davis is one of
he also stands out here Davis is one of the few african-americans you will ever
the few african-americans you will ever
the few african-americans you will ever find attending a KKK rally more than
find attending a KKK rally more than
find attending a KKK rally more than attending he is welcome it’s been a
attending he is welcome it’s been a
attending he is welcome it’s been a tough day for the Klan their Maryland
tough day for the Klan their Maryland
tough day for the Klan their Maryland rally found many local residents
rally found many local residents
rally found many local residents rejecting the message of white
rejecting the message of white
rejecting the message of white separatism after it’s over Darrell Davis
separatism after it’s over Darrell Davis
separatism after it’s over Darrell Davis hangs around backstage with his friend
hangs around backstage with his friend
hangs around backstage with his friend Klan wizard Roger Kelly it’s not unusual
Klan wizard Roger Kelly it’s not unusual
Klan wizard Roger Kelly it’s not unusual for blacks and whites to be friends but
for blacks and whites to be friends but
for blacks and whites to be friends but it is unusual to find a black man and a
it is unusual to find a black man and a
it is unusual to find a black man and a Klan leader chatting pleasantly over an
Klan leader chatting pleasantly over an
Klan leader chatting pleasantly over an orange soda after a Klan rally the
orange soda after a Klan rally the
orange soda after a Klan rally the relationship started over a book Davis
relationship started over a book Davis
relationship started over a book Davis was writing his secretary set up an
was writing his secretary set up an
was writing his secretary set up an interview with Roger Kelly but didn’t
interview with Roger Kelly but didn’t
interview with Roger Kelly but didn’t tell him Davis was black they talked and
tell him Davis was black they talked and
tell him Davis was black they talked and talked some more
talked some more
talked some more Davis learning about the Klan Kelly
Davis learning about the Klan Kelly
Davis learning about the Klan Kelly learning about Davis we get to know one
learning about Davis we get to know one
learning about Davis we get to know one another when we do different things you
another when we do different things you
another when we do different things you know it’s it hasn’t changed my views
know it’s it hasn’t changed my views
know it’s it hasn’t changed my views about the Klan you know because my views
about the Klan you know because my views
about the Klan you know because my views on the Klan has been pretty much
on the Klan has been pretty much
on the Klan has been pretty much cemented in my mind for years Kelly and
cemented in my mind for years Kelly and
cemented in my mind for years Kelly and his clan friends go to hear Davis and
his clan friends go to hear Davis and
his clan friends go to hear Davis and his band
and Davis goes to their rallies i sat on
and Davis goes to their rallies i sat on the front row and I listened to each
the front row and I listened to each
the front row and I listened to each client speak some things I agreed with
client speak some things I agreed with
client speak some things I agreed with other things they did not agree with
other things they did not agree with
other things they did not agree with Davis thinks that his presence promotes
Davis thinks that his presence promotes
Davis thinks that his presence promotes badly needed understanding hate stems I
badly needed understanding hate stems I
badly needed understanding hate stems I believe from fear for fear of the
believe from fear for fear of the
believe from fear for fear of the unknown and I think this is all across
unknown and I think this is all across
unknown and I think this is all across the board regardless of whether it’s a
the board regardless of whether it’s a
the board regardless of whether it’s a Klansman or anything else but he has no
Klansman or anything else but he has no
Klansman or anything else but he has no illusions about the Klan if he did his
illusions about the Klan if he did his
illusions about the Klan if he did his friend would be quick to disabuse them
friend would be quick to disabuse them
friend would be quick to disabuse them and I believe in separation of the races
and I believe in separation of the races
and I believe in separation of the races I believe that’s in the best interests
I believe that’s in the best interests
I believe that’s in the best interests of all races does he really has
of all races does he really has
of all races does he really has friendship transcended the color barrier
friendship transcended the color barrier
friendship transcended the color barrier listen to Kelly a Klan rally the strange
listen to Kelly a Klan rally the strange
listen to Kelly a Klan rally the strange relationship of a KKK wizard and his
relationship of a KKK wizard and his
relationship of a KKK wizard and his black buddy in Washington I’m calling
black buddy in Washington I’m calling
black buddy in Washington I’m calling will show CNN Sunday morning good
will show CNN Sunday morning good
will show CNN Sunday morning good adjectives strange certainly that okay
adjectives strange certainly that okay
adjectives strange certainly that okay now you heard the clan leaders say that
now you heard the clan leaders say that
now you heard the clan leaders say that even though he and I would do different
even though he and I would do different
even though he and I would do different things together it did not change his
things together it did not change his
things together it did not change his views on the Klan because his views on
views on the Klan because his views on
views on the Klan because his views on the plan had been cemented in his mind
the plan had been cemented in his mind
the plan had been cemented in his mind for years and he went on to say how he
for years and he went on to say how he
for years and he went on to say how he believes in separation of the races
believes in separation of the races
believes in separation of the races because that is to be in the best
because that is to be in the best
because that is to be in the best interest of all races but at the very
interest of all races but at the very
interest of all races but at the very end he said that he respected me I’m his
end he said that he respected me I’m his
end he said that he respected me I’m his enemy I’m a black guy he’s in the Klan
enemy I’m a black guy he’s in the Klan
enemy I’m a black guy he’s in the Klan he said we may not agree on everything
he said we may not agree on everything
he said we may not agree on everything beliefs he will sit down and listen to
beliefs he will sit down and listen to
beliefs he will sit down and listen to me and respect me and I will sit down
me and respect me and I will sit down
me and respect me and I will sit down listen to him respect him very important
listen to him respect him very important
listen to him respect him very important if you have an adversary give that
if you have an adversary give that
if you have an adversary give that person a platform allow them to air
person a platform allow them to air
person a platform allow them to air their views if you agree with them fine
their views if you agree with them fine
their views if you agree with them fine if you don’t that’s fine too you
if you don’t that’s fine too you
if you don’t that’s fine too you challenge them politely and
challenge them politely and
challenge them politely and intelligently not rudely or violently
intelligently not rudely or violently
intelligently not rudely or violently when you do things like that there’s an
when you do things like that there’s an
when you do things like that there’s an excellent chance they will reciprocate
excellent chance they will reciprocate
excellent chance they will reciprocate and give you a platform to express your
and give you a platform to express your
and give you a platform to express your views you make sure you do them
views you make sure you do them
views you make sure you do them intelligently and influentially because
intelligently and influentially because
intelligently and influentially because you each have to think at the end of the
you each have to think at the end of the
you each have to think at the end of the day who was right and if you can just
day who was right and if you can just
day who was right and if you can just create that little spark that spark can
create that little spark that spark can
create that little spark that spark can become a flame
become a flame
become a flame and grow so over the years he and I
and grow so over the years he and I
and grow so over the years he and I would continue these conversations and
would continue these conversations and
would continue these conversations and sitting down respecting each other to
sitting down respecting each other to
sitting down respecting each other to listen to each other I did not respect
listen to each other I did not respect
listen to each other I did not respect what he had to say understand I
what he had to say understand I
what he had to say understand I respected his right to say it and over
respected his right to say it and over
respected his right to say it and over the years that cement began to crack and
the years that cement began to crack and
the years that cement began to crack and then began to crumble and then a few
then began to crumble and then a few
then began to crumble and then a few years back
years back
years back Roger Kelly quit the Ku Klux Klan and
Roger Kelly quit the Ku Klux Klan and
Roger Kelly quit the Ku Klux Klan and when he did he gave me his robe and hood
when he did he gave me his robe and hood
when he did he gave me his robe and hood this is the robe of the plan leader the
this is the robe of the plan leader the
this is the robe of the plan leader the same one you saw him wearing in that
same one you saw him wearing in that
same one you saw him wearing in that video right here it bothered me a great
video right here it bothered me a great
video right here it bothered me a great deal that he called ourselves the
deal that he called ourselves the
deal that he called ourselves the greatest nation on the face of this
greatest nation on the face of this
greatest nation on the face of this earth perhaps we are technologically we
earth perhaps we are technologically we
earth perhaps we are technologically we we invented the means to put Neil
we invented the means to put Neil
we invented the means to put Neil Armstrong on the moon and while he was
Armstrong on the moon and while he was
Armstrong on the moon and while he was up there walking around talking about
up there walking around talking about
up there walking around talking about one small step for man and one giant
one small step for man and one giant
one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind we could communicate
leap for mankind we could communicate
leap for mankind we could communicate with him how is it that we as Americans
with him how is it that we as Americans
with him how is it that we as Americans can talk to people as far away as the
can talk to people as far away as the
can talk to people as far away as the moon or anywhere on the face of this
moon or anywhere on the face of this
moon or anywhere on the face of this earth but yet many of us have difficulty
earth but yet many of us have difficulty
earth but yet many of us have difficulty talking to the person who lives right
talking to the person who lives right
talking to the person who lives right next door because of the color of their
next door because of the color of their
next door because of the color of their skin their religion their persuasion
skin their religion their persuasion
skin their religion their persuasion their ethnicity etc it seems to me that
their ethnicity etc it seems to me that
their ethnicity etc it seems to me that before we can call ourselves the
before we can call ourselves the
before we can call ourselves the greatest our ideology needs to catch up
greatest our ideology needs to catch up
greatest our ideology needs to catch up to our technology and once we get them
to our technology and once we get them
to our technology and once we get them both up there we can truly brag we are
both up there we can truly brag we are
both up there we can truly brag we are living in the 21st century folks we are
living in the 21st century folks we are
living in the 21st century folks we are living in space-age times but there’s
living in space-age times but there’s
living in space-age times but there’s still too many of us thinking with Stone
still too many of us thinking with Stone
still too many of us thinking with Stone Age Minds the to news desk
Age Minds the to news desk
Age Minds the to news desk anchor people implied that I was strange
anchor people implied that I was strange
anchor people implied that I was strange what tell you what if being strange gets
what tell you what if being strange gets
what tell you what if being strange gets people to give up stuff like that we all
people to give up stuff like that we all
people to give up stuff like that we all need to be strange
”
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