"How can you hate me if you don't even know me?" -Darryl Davis
Each year, the Lewis and Clark College Environmental Studies department hosts an engaging event to confront and relate relationship boundaries and connections by exploring those topics within a global issue or point of interest. For the 21st annual Symposium, titled “Klan We Talk? Race, Environment, Engagement, and Empowerment,” a well-respected musician, activist, and author was invited to speak on his own experiences of crossing communication and historical boundaries globally. Darryl Davis grew up in Illinois, where being born as a black man in the late 50’s, racial controversy was apparent. After his first personal experience as a young boy with racism and personal attack, simply due to his race, he was struck with the question that he has proceeded to focus his life and work on finding the answer to: "how can you hate me, if you don't even know me?”
After being approached and befriended due to his musical talent by a white man, a man who happened to be a well-known member of the Klu Klux Klan, Mr. Davis found the simplicity of pushing boundaries that seemed to be based on ignorance and unknowing. He used this experience to befriend more members, attending K.K.K. events and spending time in one another's homes. Through meeting, listening, and relating to people with such diverse views, Mr. Davis was able to slip in to and transform the lives of over 200 now former (thanks to Mr. Davis) members of the K.K.K. For over fifty years, he has now continued to inspire and build on the concept of communicating with those with have such different beliefs.
In understanding how to communicate with those of different beliefs and values, we can translate this into many current conversations. While the Klu Klux Klan and active, promotional racism are not as apparent today as they have been in previous centuries, it still lies interwoven in today’s society, and hate crimes continue to occur (and are, in fact, on the rise again in recent years). Additionally, political and environmental issues can be hot spots for strong opinions and diverse voices, creating a myriad of barriers that can often seem unfeasible to address, let alone overcome.
After presenting at the symposium, Mr. Davis came in the following day to speak in a more intimate class setting on current applications. He brought up a quote from writer Martin Niemöller, that he had mentioned the previous night, on divides and ‘optional blindness,’ referencing our need for creating false boundaries we have created through our beliefs.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
– Martin Niemöller
On addressing current issues, I found solace in his words of patience and progress over time, but also found an urgency and passion to employ immediate actions. In trying to learn about others beliefs and make them feel heard, especially ones that I so passionately disagree with, it is necessary to find understanding in their own reasoning, to understand what methodologies are grounds for passion on the other side of the barrier. Once I can find their passion (or misunderstanding for passion) in relation to my own, I can begin to connect to a wider range of ideas, and hopefully influence them. Darryl Davis was an amazing speaker who struck a chord of passion and desire for action in his entire audience.