Success Stories: How Three Unlikely Heroes Manage To Combat Racism

Spike Lee's new movie "BlacKkKlansman" chronicles the true story of an African American police detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the early 80s. I recommend the interview in Business Insider with the real-life hero, Ron Stallworth, who succeeded in establishing himself as a viable member when speaking with KKK members over the phone — and then sent a white stand-in who assumed his identity when he needed to meet the Klan members in person.

But the discussion about the movie got me thinking about more recent examples of unlikely heroes who successfully manage to combat racism. America just honored the anniversary of the tragic death of young Heather Heyer who was killed by a white supremacist during a violent nationalist rally in Charlottesville. The question how to deal with these newly emboldened hate groups is increasingly urgent.

A while ago I wrote about the black pianist Daryl Davis who impressed me with his unrelenting willingness to engage Klan members in discussion. He ended up befriending Klan members and dismantling the Klan in Maryland, all with a simple question: "Why do you hate me when you don't even know me?" My piece is in German, but it is much better to hear him tell his nearly unbelievable story in his own words in this podcast.

The article below features former white supremacist Christian Picciolini. By his count, he has helped more than 200 individuals exit a life of hate by giving them a new sense of identity, community, and purpose. In this piece, he offers a unique view into how to counter hate.