Circle of Trust

There’s so much going on in our world and our country especially with the riots and police brutality lately. Yesterday was blackout Tuesday. This, is one of many ways we can support each other and show that black lives matter. George Floyd died because of police brutality. This is real.

I’ve been asking myself since…what can I do? What can we do as an F3 organization? What can we do as people in general?

It made me think of a TEDx event I went to in Naperville two years ago. A black man came out to the stage and told his story. His name is Daryl Davis and the title of his story was, “Why as a black man, I attend KKK rallies”. 

I’ll say that again…

The title of his story was, “Why as a black man, I attend KKK rallies”.

He tells the story of a guy he knew who was a police officer by day and a leader in the KKK by night. He tells the story how he wanted to meet this type of person and how he actually did. He tells the story of how he wanted to get to better understand how someone could hate him…without even knowing him? Daryl Davis was curious to learn…and he did this…and after two years of meeting with this leader in the KKK as a black man…going to each others houses for dinners…going to actually KKK rallies and even these KKK members coming to Mr. Davis concerts (he played in a band)…this leader in the KKK decided to leave that organization. Change happened. Progress happened.

Daryl Davis talks about how “Ignorance breeds fear…and fear breeds hate”.

In getting to know each other better, somehow the fear fell apart and the ignorance of this KKK leader turned to understanding.

Gentlemen, we are here today and we carry a privilege and it’s time for all of us, in all races, to be better together and to start understanding each other better.

• Asking questions to understand…is the key
• Calling out others who make racist comments and letting them know you are not ok with that…is the key
• Really listening and showing respect…is the key

Give this TEDx talk a listen…it’s not just a great example of why a black man attends KKK rallies…it’s a great example of asking questions, listening, showing respect and most importantly…leadership.

In closing… prayers for Cupcake’s wife’s friend who has a daughter battling cancer, Mr. Miyagi and his recovering and progress from his heart procedure, as well as our brother Blowfish who is recovering in quarantine from coronavirus. Lastly, prayers to all of us as people to be better and show the leadership that people like Daryl Davis have above.