Customer Reviews

Klan-destine Relationships

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In an age when the issue of race has become mired in pointless sociological and intellectual discourse, Daryl Davis's "Klan-Destine Relationships", like Nathan Rutstein's "Healing Racism In America", comes as a breath of fresh air.

Daryl Davis is an American hero. He should be admired not just for his astounding courage in the face of great potential danger (impressive in its own right), but for the even more laudable act of allowing the "enemy", so to speak, to maintain his dignity at all times. While mainstream America elects to caricature and point its finger at the Ku Klux Klan and other similar groups for their overt racism, Mr. Davis has opted for a much more noble track, treating Klansmen as fellow human beings instead of dismissing them as mere stereotypes, in this way shedding light on their concerns, their values, their hopes, and their motives--however misplaced these might be.

Although another reviewer raises an interesting point, is he/she genuinely convinced that the Klan is sophisticated enough to orchestrate such a public relations coup? After all, in the eyes of a wary public, what can the Klan possibly stand to gain from its involvement with Mr. Davis? that it is now a kinder, gentler racist organization? The Kirkus reviewer seems to have overlooked the book's most endearing quality: bringing to light that a true and lasting solution to the race problem in the United States is neither political nor legislative, but spiritual. Mr. Davis is intuitively aware of this truth, and it shows in his approach to tackling the problem head on. Rather than attacking the overt racist (an easy scapegoat to America's most challenging social issue), he instead opts for the much more noble and delicate task of attacking the racism latent within him. I give this book five stars for the author's human and visionary approach.

IGNORE the posted "Kirkus Reviews" comments about this book. Mr. Davis relates witnessing a Klan acquaintance being sent to jail for no other reason than being a Klansman, just like Blacks used to be sent to jail for no reason other than the color of their skin. The "Kirkus" reviewer has condemned this book solely because it tells of things he or she doesn't want to admit are possible, i.e., that a Black man can treat Klansmen and Klanswomen as human beings and begin to affect their lives for the better. The reason I give this book a "7" is because it is well-written but not greatly-written. But if giving it a "10" would get you to read it, then I'll give it a "10" - if only because you'll never read another book like this. Bravo, Daryl Davis! May your detractors have one-tenth the guts and human feeling you evidence in your book.

In reality, through his book and the work he put into it as well as his continued efforts after the completion of this book, Daryl Davis has in fact helped many KKK members to see the light and to quit the Klan. Imperial Wizard Kelly whom the editorial review speaks of has in fact quit the klan and has givin his Imperial Wizard robe to Mr. Davis to use in his lectures. Kelly is one of many former klan members who have been touched by Daryl Davis and his work.

In this volume, Daryl Davis goes on a personal mission to better understand the men behind the KKK robes. Davis had a deep personal impetus to understand not only the inner workings of the KKK, but more importantly the motivations and constitutions of the men who join this organization.

It is clear that Davis's journey, which includes conversations with several individuals associated with this organization at many different levels and others who have been impacted by their interactions with the organization, had a deep personal impact on him and PERHAPS some of the men who he encountered whom later ended their affiliation with the KKK.

Though I personally have no deep-seated interest in understanding what makes one associate with such a divisive, contemptible organization and thus am clearly not the target audience for this volume, I give Davis credit for seeking answers to his own personal quandaries in such a thorough and potentially risky journey.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN BLACK/WHITE ISSUES AND THIS BOOK WAS AN EYEOPENER AND A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING
ITS AUTHOR TAKES YOU TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE KLANS ROOTS
THIER BELIEFS AND WHAT MAKES THEM TICK
I TRULY BELIEVE DARLY DAVIS RISKED HIS LIFE WHEN UNDERTAKING THIS JOURNEY
IM THANKFUL HE DID, THIS BOOK EXPLORES THE KLANS PERSPECTIVE ON MODERN DAY AMERICA (THEY HAVE AN ANSWER OR EXCUSE FOR EVERY OBJECTIVE THE AUTHOR COMES UP WITH)
UNLIKE A PREVIOUS REVIEW I TRULY BELIEVE IF ONE KLAN MEMBER CAN CHANGE THIER VIEWS AS A RESULT OF MEETING THIS MAN THEN SURELY THAT SIGNALS HOPE?
READ THIS BOOK ITS HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD

Davis is truly one of the most unique thinkers to come along in many years.I have followed the author's media appearances for years and find his open-minded viewpoint refreshing and quite extordinary.While some narrow reveiwers have branded Davis a simpleton,this savvy man is anything but.He realizes that once we UNDERSTAND the enemy,we can more peacefully resolve the problem.The author's non-violent,non-judgemental approach,coupled with the courage to try and KNOW the Klan make him a modern hero.Davis keeps as mementos over a dozen KKK robes given to him by Klan officials who have left the organization after knowing him.He is a peaceful,extrordinary man!

Once you open Daryl Davis's book you will not want to put it down. It is a fascinating story about his journey into the heart of racism with seeming impossible outcomes. According to Davis (who says he owns, and has read, every book ever written about the Ku Klux Klan), this is the only book written about the Klan by a Black author who has actually had face-to-face interviews with Klan leaders. I recently met Daryl Davis and heard him speak during our MLK Day celebration at the college where I teach. He is a compelling speaker and, I might add, an outstanding piano player (a long-time friend of Jerry Lee Lewis and a co-performer with Chuck Berry). Daryl Davis's story needs to be heard by all Americans and deserves national media attention. I highly recommend this book and its author. (See his web site at: www.daryldavis.com)

Truly a unique piece of literature. Davis amazingly provides the reader with a viable evaluation into the mindset of members of the K.K.K. He personally (and bravely) interviews Klansmen in an effort to bring some degree of clarity regarding their bigoted philosophy. Unlike other books on the Klan, Davis successfully depicts its members as simple people who have formulated their ideology out of common ignorance. He does not hedge on the fact that many Americans, both Black and white, are disenchanted by U.S. domestic policies, and illustrates how such frustrations have fueled hatred and mistrust between various races within the nation. Virtually absent are the antagonizing rantings and ravings so often identified with the K.K.K., as Davis shares his experiences in a well balanced, easy to read manner. Contrary to the opinion of the above "Editorial Review", Davis's succeeds at bringing to light certain misconceptions of the Klan, and manages to actually humanize those members he encounters during his research. Although this is not great literature, it is definitely worth reading. NOTE: The photo on the cover is clearly the work of a skilled artist...as the "handshake" is obviously manufactured.

I heard of Daryl Davis and his story in a Cultural Anthropology unit on race and racism last semester. As soon as I heard of his story and his lifelong study of race, racism, and the KKK, I knew that I had to delve deeper into his story and learn more about such an anomaly. Who has ever heard of a black man at a KKK rally? I mean, seriously.

When I actually got to reading this book, I learned A LOT. In the world, we are taught that all members of the KKK are terrible, evil, horrible people. Now, do not get me wrong in saying that I condone the KKK or its behaviors, but this book made me realize that like all other things in the world race and racism is a spectrum. Different clans believe in different things and have different belief systems.

This book is a surprisingly easy read considering the subject matter. I finished it in less than two weeks on a busy schedule and it truly made me sit and think. And on top of that it baits you to read and others to read to the point where I intend to buy a second lending copy for others in the next few weeks.

The bottom line is this: if you read this book, it will affect you and open your mind. Read it.

First hear Mr. Davis perform and found about his writing when I searched for future performances. Book was very intersting to me as I have lived in the same area and during the same times. Reading about those times from another perspective is good.