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The black reverend who bought a Ku Klux Klan shop

American reverend David Kennedy fought for control of a shop selling racist paraphernalia, which he then changed into a multicultural community centre.

In 1996, an African American reverend called David Kennedy faced one of his biggest fights. A new shop had sprung up in Laurens, his small town in South Carolina, selling white supremacist memorabilia and housing a Ku Klux Klan museum. It was called the Redneck Shop, and Reverend Kennedy knew he had to stand up to the racist owners. At first he simply stood outside in protest, but later he was able to start changing the mind of one of the managers, Mike, having helped him in a time of need. The two men became close, and through their friendship the reverend ultimately gained control of the white supremacist shop. Reverend Kennedy spoke to Outlook's Emily Webb.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Harry Graham

Picture: Reverend David Kennedy
Credit: The Echo Project

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