IamA (Keshia Thomas The black teenager who saved a kkk member from a Mob) AMA!

Did the Klansman express any gratitude to you for protecting him?

first I want to say thank you so much for your questions. This is my first AMA and although I have done a lot of interviews I have to admit that I am a little nervous. I never heard from him again. But I was hanging out at a coffee house and I remember on of the locals coming up to me and saying thank you. I said for what...he said that that was his dad that I saved. That was powerful. But I never heard from him{them} again

I remember those protests, they were right across the street from my dad's store. Thank you for what you did. People who hold those beliefs make me sick, and I would love to physically harm bigots like that, but then how are we capable of taking the higher ground. We have to be the better people. So, again, thank you.

Thank you!

Thank you for doing this AMA. I was wondering how you felt about becoming a part of history? I just did a history exam and your photo was part of a question. When did it sink in you've done something big?

Wow...that is moving. I would love to see the question. What class was it for and where? I am extremely proud to be part of history. I have taken the lesson of the peace makers put it into action and showed the world that human life no matter who's life it is matters. I don't know if it ever really sunk in. I am hearing you now talk about me on an exam. [I hope you aced it by the way] But I only have 500 like on my face book page lol..rofl.

But I only have 500 like on my face book page lol..rofl

One more, now, at least :)

Thank you:)

Do you regret it? Was it an on the spot decision that you would do again?

I have no regrets I would do it all over again.

Good for you. That makes you much better than anyone else on this earth. Thank you for being selfless

Thank you My_Password_is_This. But I am not better than anyone else I still make my mistakes. try to brush it off and get back up like the next girl:)

You are a beautiful person. Thank you for standing up for peace!

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I've never cared whether "celebrities" responded to me, but you are such a personal hero to me you made my year. On my goodness ;)

Thanks again:)

The article says the son contacted you, what did he say specifically and did he explain why his father didn't call personally? Also, did any of the folks that got carried away and start attacking the guy say anything to you when things calmed down?

I got a lot of flack from people. Some called me a race trader, KKK supporter, it was hard. But for every bad commit I got their were far more people who were proud.

You did the right thing, even though he was doing the wrong thing. You set the appropriate example. Thank you for your bravery. Non violent non violent. I'm a white male and those words still raise the hair on my neck. You put the words of one of the greatest men in the history of the world into action. Thank you again for your bravery.

Wow, thank you:)

I think your actions reflect a lot of individual inner strength. It takes a lot of courage and self-conviction to go against a crowd.

Thank you and that's what we want to teach kids today.

Other than stereotypical suggestions like "show them kindness," what do you believe to be the best way to counter a racist? What would you suggest one do to effectively debate and intellectually combat against white supremacists?

That is a very good question and one that because I am older and wiser now I think I have a grasp on maybe not the whole answer but a part. The best way to counter a racist is to give their words NO POWER. People hate to be ignored. The second it to be nice to their kids. one day their kids are going to grow up with their own ideas. It is true that they will have influence from their parents and the media and people but you have to knock down the wall and kids are a good Trojan horse.

The second it to be nice to their kids.

Wow, never thought of that. Thank you for your reply!

No worries, thanks for your question.

You clearly realize human life takes precedence over ideological divides and that the best way to combat hatred is certainly not with more hatred. Even the most stubborn, hateful, and indoctrinated minds can be changed (or, at the very least, made to question themselves) with acts of kindness as powerful as what you did. Do you think Albert began to question his beliefs after you saved him? Also, were you afraid of bodily injury or harm to yourself during the event?

I think that was part of being young, a belief that nothing bad will happen and good always wins. I don't know if I ever changed him but I know that I have changed a lot of minds.

First my question :) What is your advice to young adults these days about doing the right thing like you did when you were their age? It would be great to hear you speak to a graduating class about humanity and knowing the difference between right and wrong.

I was very moved by your actions that day and I thank you for being a great human being protecting another human from being harmed. Regardless of what he represented. It was your instinct to protect someone from being hurt. That is how all human beings should be! Thank you for being you Keshia Thomas!

Well thank you very much. I would love to speak to a graduating class. I went to a graduation a few weeks ago and I was running a little late a caught the tail end of the speech and she was say that she knew that they couldn't change the future or make the world a better place and I wanted to JUMP UP AND YELL OVER EVERY ONE...THE FUTURE IS YOURS TO CHANGE. IT IS YOUR WORLD AND YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU LIVE IN IT AND CHANGE IT IS UP TO YOU. and I am sure you all have heard the speech the guy gave to kids telling them that they were "not special". I understood what he was saying but I believe still that every kid is special and can have influence on other peoples life. My advice to young people would be that it is their responsibility to check the status quo. Just about ever change that has come has come from young people. and when they stop believing that they are a force to be reckoned than we stop growing as a country. In the 60's it was kids of all colors who were fighting for justice and equality.

That is really sad that a speaker at a graduation would say something that stupid. See.....I knew it, you would be a fantastic speaker to the youth of today!! Document what you just wrote because we will hear it again! I hope and pray that your life has been blessed for what you have done for this world! Thank you !

Thank you so much. My work has just begun and with people like you who support and understand my vision for a better world it makes my work more enjoyable.

heheheh...fun fact......I am from MI, now in GA.

what part of Michigan and what do you miss most about it?

First I want to say how awesome it is that you did that.

Second I want to say fuck the KKK.

So my question is was it instinct? Did you have to stop and think about it?

I'm white but much of my family is black, and I can't say I would do the same. So thank you for being a good person.

You have very kind words for me and I have to thank you for them. It was instinct. Their was no time to think about it. A lot of time we need to follow our instinct. We don't because we are fearful. Today I pulled up to a McDonalds with a gas station lots of people around and their is a woman who left her baby in the car. Now I can see the keys and the air condition blowing but I know that this is not right and my Instinct says hey get this woman's attention and tell her that this is not ok and what could happen without having a conflict. What I find heart breaking is that I was not the only one to see this baby in the car and I saw people shaking their heads but were too afraid to say anything. But I could not be immobilized by fear. Worst case scenario she tells me off. Worst case for a toddler locked in a car with the keys in it and the car on... you fill in the blank. The point is do not dismiss your instinct and I will tell you ever time I have ever not listened to my instinct I have regretted it.

Well, what did you do?

I went inside and asked her if she was the one who left her baby in the car she started to act like she was in a panic and asked me if the her baby was messing with the locks. I said no he was not messing with the locks but if the police were to come they would take your baby away and you to jail. I escorted her to her car and explained that a lot could happen with a baby in the car. Didn't need to make a scene just a point.

What is the most significant way in which your life has changed after that event?

Also, what's your favorite flavor of gum?

Thank you for your question. My favorite flavor of gum is trident whitening. About a year ago I quit smoking and that gum helped me a lot. I had always kind of rebelled against the fact that I was a leader someone different with different views. As a kid I tried to fit and worry about clothes and what the other kids were doing but my destiny if you will keep manifesting I remember organizing my first protest in JR high the Rodney king verdict. Here we were as kids walking out of school and making banner having a voice to be herd. Later in 1994 I went to the White House and meet President Clinton. Than went on the volunteer at Ground Zero in 2001 and all kinds of other things. I say that to say when you have success in your passion (mine has always been helping people and fighting injustice) it makes you stronger and want to keep fighting the good fight. SO please forgive me I keep going on but my life has changed in a significant way because I never have to wonder on my death bed did I make a difference I the world. I already know that I have but that does not mean that I ever get to stop!!

I am bummed that so many say, "What you did was great, but I would never save a klansman." Somehow your compassion needs to infect more people. You have a lesson to teach, even here on reddit. Commenters in this thread seem to fixate on, "Was it pure instinct, do you regret your actions, would you save his life today?" They marvel at your compassion without adopting it themselves.

If you can't tell, I am a fan! That picture up there is something serious, I am really moved by it.

It was instinct. It felt so right like two angels picked me up and laid me down on top of him. I have no regrets for what I did and I would do it all over again. Thanks for being a fan:) https://www.facebook.com/KeshiaThomas1996

I know I am late to the party but do you do any public speaking? I would love to have you come speak to my group of students. I don't know what your fees are, but would love to have you come out...even if it means holding a fundraiser to get you here!

Yes I do public speaking. I would love to come speak at your school.

A real simple question: why? Did you know he was a member? If you did, I applaud you for being a better person than most people, myself included. I don't honestly know if I'd let someone like that be saved even though I know that would only perpetuate the cycle of hatred.

EDIT: I responded before reading the links. I understand your position now.

Thank you for your honesty. We have to stop the cycle somehow. I want {Palestine and Israel} & {India and Pakistan & {Bloods and Crips} to get along... You can fill in the blank with any group you chose but the results will always be the same when we turn to violence.

Any reason you left out {Redditors and Diggers}? Is it because it's hopeless?

Ha ha that is funny I had to read it twice I am new to reddit. I almost made those people mad who are the moderators because I keep asking question trying to get on the calendar. I wanted it to be on June 22 it will be the 18 year anniversary. anywoo nothing is hopeless. even Redditors and Diggers lol

Does anyone else want to be like Keshia when they grow up? Because I know I do ;p

Thank you so much:)

Good karma for life, Ms. Keshia, well done! When you made the decision to jump into the fray, were you motivated by any sense of faith or duty, or was it pure instinct-- or both?

Secondly, at the time, did anyone come at you or physically try to move you from your place at his side?

Thanks for your simple human decency. A lot of us forget what that's all about sometimes....

Thank you so much. it felt like two Angels picked me up and placed me on top of him. Maybe to help me up but not to hurt me

Thank you for being an inspiration. What or who inspires you?

Thank you so much I want to continue to inspire until the day I die. Martin Luther King Jr. John F. Kennedy, Harriet Tubman,Che Guevara, Doug Lewis, Maya Angelou, Noel Folks, Cesar Chavez, and Carol Tice and Mahatma Gandhi Just to name a few.

Gandhi was a racist. He didn't like blacks. He felt they were an inferior race to Whites and Indians.

That may be true or not. We all have to deal with our own racist issues but that still does not take away from the fact that he organized people and stood up for what he believed in.

What about Malcom X?

Malcolm X did have a big influence over my life. I got wrapped up in his militant ideas as a child and for a while I really did believe that it was a black against white world. But that's when people like Doug Lewis took me aside and said hold on a minute really think about what your doing. After questioning myself and what I believed In I knew that the militant way was not for me. Now with that being said I was EXTREMELY DISCUSTED AND OUTRAGED when nm used his picture on the front of her album. That was disrespectful to who he was.

Well your actions did me proud.

And since I need a question, how's life going for you now?

Thank you so much. Life is good I will be moving back to Detroit to open my own non-profit in 3 months. Very excited about that. anyone that want's to help please let me know.

Its so cold in the D

lol...it is, but the fall in Michigan is so beautiful.

What motivates you in life? What are your current goals right now?

What motivates me is helping other people. Right now I am working on the Detroit Project. I will be moving back to Detroit and opening up my own Non-Profit to push the youth forward and help the city. Anyone want to help me?

I live in the Detroit area and would love to help. How can we get involved?

I will be sending you a email. I could use all the help I can get!!!!

Any possibility you could post a reply in this thread? I want to help out (though my job consumes all of my time), and I'm sure many others do as well.

I need help setting up the bylaws, grant writing, fundraising, social media, administration, a few good people to be on the board of directors with me, Treasure, Secretary,Vice President etc. That is all part of phase one the hard part. I can use all the good help I can get please stay in contact via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeshiaThomas1996?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark I will have ways in which people can get involved.

sure

As a recent transplant to A2, I had no idea this happened in 96! Thank you for standing up and being so brave. How can other A2 residents help with your future project?

I need help setting up the bylaws, grant writing, fundraising, social media, administration, a few good people to be on the board of directors with me, Treasure, Secretary,Vice President etc. That is all part of phase one the hard part. I can use all the good help I can get.

Has any member from the KKK reached out to you? Either thanking you or otherwise? I'd like to think that your action may have opened the eyes of some of the members, making them rethink their choices.

I do think that I shook some people's belief. but I do like hearing from people who have turned their life around like Arno Arr Michaelis IV.

Hi Keshia, thanks for doing this. My question: are you aware of how popular you still are on the internet (and here on reddit), even though the event took place almost 20 years ago? How has the continued popularity affected your life?

lol..I love your names. Horse_you_rode_in_on I know that their are a few article I have seen some international article. But I have not taken a look at the big picture. I will use this popularity to affect and change peoples life in the future for the better.

Holy hell! I've been gone for a week! When did this happen?

It will be 18 years ago on Sunday.

When's the last time you heard from the guy you saved??

Never heard from him

Keshia, I am so glad you are here. How are are doing, are things going well in your life?

so sorry for the delay missed this question. Things are going well and I am doing good. Like everyone else we all have our ups and downs but we strive to make today better than yesterday. I am about to start my first non-profit so I am pretty excited about that.

Well, you have fans like me out here, who support you.

Thank you so much. I need all the help I can get. Do you mind liking my Facebook page and passing it along to your friends. https://www.facebook.com/KeshiaThomas1996?ref_type=bookmark I really need the support and the networking for my non-profit in Detroit. Their I will be updating and telling people how they can get involved. That's where I am having a bit of trouble.

So did you get his number?

Kidding, but I'm still going to hell for saying that...

I'm amazed by your bravery. You undoubtedly did something more humane than most of us ever could.

Thank you. The human spirit is amazing. We never truly know what we are capable of until we are put into situations.

did anyone from the KKK tried to contact you since then ?

I think I might have read an article where someone who was active might have said thank you but I like hearing from people who turned their life around. Like Arno Arr Michaelis IV

First, thanks for what you did. I remember showing it to my wife at the time.

I'm not black, so I hope this question doesn't come across the wrong way. How much of the crowd's reaction was due to the guy, as opposed to whatever the crowd was putting on him? The situation reminded me of the LA Riots, where a guy was beaten nearly to death for basically being white.

If you think there was more going on, can you speculate about why the crowd might have been more likely to attack? I know it wasn't one thing, but I wonder if you have any general thoughts on it. For example this. Or maybe that blacks get harsher jail sentences, or that so many young black males (dads) are in jail.

There is a mob mentality and when the woman on the bull horn said "theres Klan's man in the crowd, get him" people did not think. I remember when they pulled that man out his truck and beat him up. It was uncalled for.

Hi! I'm an aspiring writer and I am planning to write a novel about minorities. I want to include black characters in it, but, as I am a caucasian woman, can't seem to really get in their shoes. So I would like to ask you a couple of questions for my researches : What compelled you to save this person even though they, seemingly, hate your skin color? How do you feel about racism and sexism? What do you think white people should do about racism? How do you feel they should feel about racism? Can you tell me a story about growing up as a black american women? That about sums it up! I would be so greatfull if you answer me! Thanks a lot for being a decent human being! =3

To understand how I feel about racism and sexism I have to tell you how I first found out about these things. I want to tackle sexism first. I was a kid and I was in the car with my mom {everyone who know me knows I was raised by my grandparents and I call them Mom and Dad} we were listening to the radio and they were doing a report on how woman make less money than men. I started to laugh and say that's not true. Up until that point everybody was fair on the playground. But once she told me and I went back to the playground I than started to notice the difference between boys and girls as far as advantages and disadvantages. I say that to say I had no idea that the world thought that I was inferior because I was a girl {notice I said what the world thought and not what I thought} until somebody said it. Now lets fast forward into the future and imagine a 8 year old girl listening to the radio in the back seat of her family's car. "pussy in my face I ain't got no worries" "cant trust these hoe's" "my side bitch" "push your panties to the side" to name a few. I was at Ross and their was this woman singing "pussy in my face I ain't got no worries" to her baby as if it were a lullaby. Now imagine this whole generation of girls who are told everyday that they are nothing more than bitches and the best career they can strive for is the star at the strip club. Sexism is not something that we can touch, it is an idea we can change but we first have to change the message. (now imaging the boys in the back of the car and being told that these ideas are ok) Now I like to "turn up" but I am adult who knows the difference between fantasy and reality, problem with this message is the lie has become bigger than the truth.

{copied response from same type of question} I don't see it as I was getting in the way of Karma. I see it more as an eye for an eye {and I don't want everyone to go blind} I am no one's judge jury and executioner and when we start thinking like that than we start to become extremist. Even though I clearly did not agree with his views that still does not take away from the fact that this man was unarmed, out numbered and in distress. What if the mob would have killed him...than what? people who never would have been murders would have become one that day. The course of their lives changed forever. It's hard for convicted felons to get a job. Do you think a company would over look a murder conviction because the person they killed was a Klan's man? Do you think that the kids these people left behind to go to jail would understand and say when they grow up my dad was not around and "it was ok because killing a Klan's man was more important than raising me." People have to start thinking. That does not fly in the real world. More than one person's life was spared that day. Karen Simpson wrote a Novel based on what I did called "Acts of Grace" She did a good job explaining the impact of generations do to violence.

I remember hearing about this a couple of years ago and it sent shivers down my spine. I genuinely have admiration for you because I think if I was in the same situation, I wouldn't be able to show the same restraint and compassion as you did. In that sort of situation, it's very easy for mob mentality to take over, what was going through your head in the heat of the moment?

As crazy as it may sound, I don't remember thinking only reacting.

If a similar situation happened would you do it again?

yes and I would not think twice

What were you planning to do with your future up until that point? Are you now on a different path than if it had never happened?

when I was a kid I wanted to be a counselor. I don't think I am on a different path but I think that it is easier because I have credibility. People know that I just don't talk about peace but that I am a woman of action.

Why get in the way of karma?

I don't see it as I was getting in the way of Karma. I see it more as an eye for an eye {and I don't want everyone to go blind} I am no one's judge jury and executioner and when we start thinking like that than we start to become extremist. Even though I clearly did not agree with his views that still does not take away from the fact that this man was unarmed, out numbered and in distress. What if the mob would have killed him...than what? people who never would have been murders would have become one that day. The course of their lives changed forever. It's hard for convicted felons to get a job. Do you think a company would over look a murder conviction because the person they killed was a Klan's man? Do you think that the kids these people left behind to go to jail would understand and say when they grow up my dad was not around and "it was ok because killing a Klan's man was more important than raising me." People have to start thinking. That does not fly in the real world. More than one person's life was spared that day. Karen Simpson wrote a Novel based on what I did called "Acts of Grace" She did a good job explaining the impact of generations do to violence.

• Was there even a 1% of you that wanted to let the mob get the best of him?

• Do you think you would have done the same IF you had seen him beat up others in the past?

• I personally think, to some degree, he should be punished. Do you agree?

No I would not want to watch a man die. I think I would have done the same. As Americans we have a constitutional right to say what ever we want to say. Freedom of Speech. I don't always like what people are saying but I don't want to take away their right to say it.

So kkk dude just set the dog out on your little sister grrrrrrr you fight the dog off and notice kkk dude about to get hit by a car... you have enough time to push him out of the way but JUST enough. What do you do?

Push him out of the way and sue him for everything he's got.

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Which guy?

First of all, I'm white and I would've killed him. I admire your bravery.

My question: Would you do it again?

yes I would do it again.