Ron Writes

Daryl Davis shows us how to kill a dragon. Davis is an accomplished musician. He has played with Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis and Muddy Waters. More importantly Davis is a Christian.

Roger Kelly hated Davis because of the color of his skin. Kelly was the Grand Wizard of the KKK. Davis was determined to befriend Kelly. Davis wanted to find out how anyone can “hate me without knowing me.” He spent years building trust between them and laid the foundation of what became a friendship. They visited one another’s homes. Ate together. Davis went so far as to attend Klan rallies as Kelly’s guest.

Davis listened. He didn’t hate Kelly just because Kelly hated him. He listened to Kelly and eventually Kelly started listening to him. This led to the two realizing they had far more in common than not. Davis says, “ignorance breeds fear," and "If you don't keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred.”

In the end, Kelly denounced his ties with the KKK. He handed his hood and robe to Daryl Davis. Over the years Davis has seen over 200 Klan members walk away from the KKK. Over 25 have handed him their hoods and robes, including Bob White – Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan.

How’s that for a way to kill a dragon? Love conquers hate. Davis is a remarkable man and shows us a remarkable way to overcome racism. By the way, his story was made into a documentary, “Accidental Courtesy.”

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 Jn. 4:7).