News Release

Personal stories of confronting racism come to campus Sept. 16

September 9, 2008

Lancaster County native Quay Hanna and author/musician Daryl Davis have committed their lives to confronting racism and intolerance in America.

Hanna’s quest has its roots in a cross-country bus trip and Davis’ with the Ku Klux Klan.

Both bring their personal stories to Penn State Harrisburg’s Gallery Lounge at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. The presentation is free and open to the public. For information, phone 717-948-6273.

In 1997, Hanna set out on a mission to challenge racist and prejudiced views in his small community of Strasburg, Pa. Now, more than a decade later, he is one of the most sought-after speakers in America addressing the topic of racism with teenagers and young adults.

His journey actually began in 1993 following his graduation from college with a degree in English, when he left Strasburg to see America. He hopped on a Greyhound bus and began traversing the country. Nine weeks, 37 states, and 12,000 miles later, he got more than an incredible journey and hundreds of stories to tell.

As he traveled, he was forced to confront his own racist and prejudiced beliefs, causing him to realize that life had more to offer than his lifelong hatred of others. Upon his return to Strasburg, he had a new objective: to reach out to his subculture – rural, white America – and to challenge racist beliefs as his were challenged on the trip.

Hanna published a book about his life-changing experience, Bus America: Revelation of a Redneck, and began telling his story to audiences throughout the nation. He offers a unique perspective on racism, prejudice, and hatred and takes a provocative look at the labels that seemingly control American society.

He is not white. He is black. Yet, Klan-Destine Relationships author and musician Davis has come in closer contact with members of the Ku Klux Klan than most white nonmembers and certainly most blacks.

Over the last 10 years, Davis has walked on the edge, setting up surprise meetings with Klan leaders unaware he is black and even attending KKK rallies. On a quest to do nothing more than explore racism and gather information for his book, Davis eventually became the recipient of robes and hoods from Klan members who came to him to rescind their beliefs.

His methods have made him the center of controversy. In some white circles, he has been deemed “politically incorrect” and in some black circles, he has been called “Uncle Tom.” Davis often makes supporters out of his detractors by proving his methods work and issuing the challenge: “I have Klan robes and hoods hanging in my closet, given to me voluntarily by members who have quit the Klan since coming to me. That’s what I’ve done to improve race relations. How many robes and hoods have you received as a result of your methods?”

Davis earned his bachelor of music degree from Howard University and is an accomplished blues and R&B musician.