Movies
Matt Ornstein
Accidental Courtesy – Daryl Davis, Race & America
2016 USA
English, no subtitles
Theme: Roleplay
19.11.2016 | Time: 21.30
| Venue: Tapio 3
Going for a coffee with the Ku Klux Klan
“How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” This is a question the American blues musician Daryl Davis has been asking for years. Because of his father’s work, Davis was exposed to different cultures from an early age, and has fought against racism for decades. However, the methods he has chosen have puzzled a lot of people: Davis has gotten to know and befriended several members of the notorious Ku Klux Klan. At the heart of this is his main goal, opening the lines for discussion. Outspoken and funny Davis makes the viewer think about the world from a different perspective.
In the documentary Davis travels around the United States in order to learn more about the history of racism, and the phases of the black civil rights movement. The official history of the United States still mostly tells the story from the viewpoint of the whites, even though the role of the racialized people has always been significant in the events.
Not everyone is happy with Davis’ approach to activism. Many members of Black Lives Matter, especially those of the younger generations, feel that Davis is spitting on the civil rights movement by fraternizing with the Klan. A couple of friendships can’t undo all the hatred and violence of the past century.
No matter how you feel about Davis, his attempts to give both sides an opportunity to voice their views has its own, interesting role in the history of civil rights and racism discourse in the United States. This award-winning documentary is a must-see for everyone looking to broaden their views.
