Ep 8. Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America

"Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America" is an episode from season 18 of the Emmy-winning documentary series "Independent Lens." In this episode, filmmaker Matt Ornstein profiles Daryl Davis, a black musician who has devoted his life to befriending and engaging with members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups in an effort to promote understanding and eradicate racism.

The episode follows Davis as he meets with various Klan members and white nationalists, including Roger Kelly, the former Imperial Wizard of the Maryland-based Confederate White Knights of the KKK. Davis attempts to establish common ground with these individuals by engaging them in frank discussions about race and by sharing his own personal experiences of discrimination and prejudice.

Through these conversations, Davis tries to challenge their views on race and show them that their hate is based on misconceptions and fear. Ornstein also explores the toll that Davis's outreach efforts have taken on his personal life, as he has faced criticism from both the black community and some of his own family members for his association with notoriously racist individuals.

Overall, "Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America" offers a thought-provoking look at the complex issue of race relations in the United States and the potential for dialogue and understanding to bridge the divide.