Davis eventually went on to befriend over 20 members of the KKK, and claims to have been directly responsible for between 40 and 60, and indirectly over 200 people leaving the Klan. He found that the Klansmen had many misconceptions about blacks, which stem mostly from intense brainwashing in their youth. When they got to know him, Davis claims, it was more difficult to maintain their prejudices.
Mr. Davis did an AMA on reddit last year and gave some thoughtful responses:
Q: Did you learn anything surprising or unexpected during these interactions?
u/DarylDavis : Absolutely!!! Despite what you may have read in the numerous press articles about me converting KKK members, I NEVER set out to convert anyone. I simply set out to ask a question I had formed in my mind as a kid: "How can you hate me when you don't even know me?" Growing up, we all are told, "A tiger doesn't change its stripes, a leopard doesn't change its spots," etc. I believed that and I didn't think anyone was going to change, so that wasn't my initial goal. I just wanted the answer to my question. But over time, through repeated interactions with various KKK members around the country, some of them began questioning their own beliefs as a result of their interacations and conversations with me. Then they began quitting, and I was astounded. Exposure and one-on-one dialogue is the KEY to solving a lot of issues in this country, not just racial ones. We live in echo chambers in which we surround ourselves with people who will reflect back to us, the very same thing we say to them. Therefore we block out anything from the outside as being inferior to what we learn in our little bubbles. I like traveling outside the bubble. Even people with good intentions, tend to shut out those who may hold different opinions. I am willing to listen to all.
donfelicedon2 on September 24th, 2018 at 21:45 UTC »
He's a real legend
Source
He did a TedX that's really interesting
And also an AMA!
Sid_00 on September 24th, 2018 at 21:53 UTC »
Mr. Davis did an AMA on reddit last year and gave some thoughtful responses:
Q: Did you learn anything surprising or unexpected during these interactions?
u/DarylDavis : Absolutely!!! Despite what you may have read in the numerous press articles about me converting KKK members, I NEVER set out to convert anyone. I simply set out to ask a question I had formed in my mind as a kid: "How can you hate me when you don't even know me?" Growing up, we all are told, "A tiger doesn't change its stripes, a leopard doesn't change its spots," etc. I believed that and I didn't think anyone was going to change, so that wasn't my initial goal. I just wanted the answer to my question. But over time, through repeated interactions with various KKK members around the country, some of them began questioning their own beliefs as a result of their interacations and conversations with me. Then they began quitting, and I was astounded. Exposure and one-on-one dialogue is the KEY to solving a lot of issues in this country, not just racial ones. We live in echo chambers in which we surround ourselves with people who will reflect back to us, the very same thing we say to them. Therefore we block out anything from the outside as being inferior to what we learn in our little bubbles. I like traveling outside the bubble. Even people with good intentions, tend to shut out those who may hold different opinions. I am willing to listen to all.
TooShiftyForYou on September 24th, 2018 at 22:05 UTC »
Anytime Daryl meets a new extremist in a robe he has a mental thought, "This would be a fine addition to my collection..."