society
Structures, Identity, and the Making of Everyday Life
Daryl Davis - Interviewing The KKK, Traditional Black Music, and more
Daryl Davis, a musician, author, and race relations expert was assaulted with flying bottles during the Cub Scout parade in 1968 when he was 10. This was his first experience with racism. He spent years studying and researching to answer the question he had about racial hatred.
Daryl Davis, a musician, author, and race relations expert was assaulted with flying bottles during the Cub Scout parade in 1968 when he was 10. This was his first experience with racism. He spent years studying and researching to answer the question he had about racial hatred. It would be a chance encounter later in life that would birth a dangerously intriguing project, documenting his search for the answers. As an entertainer, Daryl is an international recording artist, actor, and leader of The Daryl Davis Band.
He is considered to be one of the greatest Blues & Boogie Woogie and Blues and Rock’n’Roll pianists of all time, having played with The Legendary Blues Band (formerly the Muddy Waters band) and Chuck Berry. As an Actor, Daryl has received rave reviews for his stage role in William Saroyan’s The Time Of Your Life. Daryl has done film and television as well and had roles in the critically acclaimed 5-year HBO television series The Wire.
As an author, lecturer, and race relations expert, Daryl has received acclaim for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships, and his documentary Accidental Courtesy from many respected sources including CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, TLC, NPR, The Washington Post, and many others. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the Elliott-Black Award, the MLK Award, and the Bridge Builder Award among many others. Filled with exciting encounters and sometimes amusing anecdotes, Daryl’s impassioned lectures leave an audience feeling empowered to confront their own prejudices and overcome their fears. More on Daryl Here:
An American Hero & Anti-Hero Talks Reparations – The Story of Ari Merratazon
Published by: The African American Folklorist Newspaper (Lamont Jack Pearley Editor) Story and podcast producer Courtland W. Hankins, III (aka The President of Hip Hop)
An American Hero & Anti-Hero Talks Reparations – The Story of Ari Merratazon
Most of you are familiar with the movie Dead Presidents starring Larenz Tate. I bet you don’t know that Tate’s character was inspired by the real-life story of decorated war hero and Vietnam Blood, Haywood Kirkland – now known as Ari Merratazon. According to Mr. Merratazon, the heart of his life story actually began where the movie ended. If you remember the movie, it ended with Larenz Tate’s character being sentenced to prison after being convicted of robbing an armored truck. Mr. Merratazon did serve time in prison for armed robbery, however, it was to raise money for the Black liberation movement which he became a part of shortly after leaving the military.
Here is part two of Courtland W. Hankins, III (aka The President of Hip Hop) sit down with Mr. Merratazon to talk about his life and the reparations movement.