Almost Hereditary: A White Southerner's Journey Out of Racism: A Guide for Unlearning and Healing Prejudice - Softcover

Drake, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1494924013 ISBN 13: 9781494924010

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014

Synopsis

Almost Hereditary is one person’s story of overcoming the racism that was passed down in his family from generation to generation. It is a story of transformation that offers hope to others who want to see less prejudice in the world around them. As well as sharing the history of his family and his own biography, the author addresses causes of prejudice and offers specific steps to overcome prejudice in oneself and society. The book includes excerpts from diaries of the author’s great-great-grandmother, whose family owned slave plantations, quotes from slaves’ stories, and photographs. Advice for student groups that want to diminish prejudice on high school and college campuses and discussion questions for classes and book clubs are included.

About this title

About the Author

Bill Drake’s ancestors include three generations of slave plantation owners and a Confederate Civil War hero who, as a Mississippi state senator, helped create the Jim Crow era, during which Southern blacks were systematically oppressed. Drake grew up in the segregated world of the South, believing in the racial superiority of white people, and at times harassing black people. During his seventeenth year he had an experience that caused his racist beliefs to unravel. In his adult years he has written articles and produced radio programs supporting racial equality. He works with two colleagues to help students unlearn prejudice. More information can be found on his website: www.healracism.com

Review

In *Almost Hereditary: A White Southerner's Journey Out of Racism*, Bill Drake courageously and honestly addresses the racist conditioning he received from his family, as well as from social institutions. His commitment to freeing himself from the impact of racism and the thoughtful and intelligent guidance he offers in this accessible and well constructed book provides a model for healing that is possible for everyone to follow.

 - Ann Todd Jealous & Caroline Haskell, authors
*Combined Destinies: Whites Sharing Grief About Racism* (Potomac Books, 2013)

“Bill Drake offers an important perspective from someone who grew up in a world poisoned by racism but learned to see others in a more tolerant light. *Almost Hereditary* has a significant moral: we should all make a greater effort to second-guess our judgments of others, and to think about where those judgments originated.” -Benjamin Todd Jealous, former President and CEO of the NAACP

“A compelling and provocative account of one man’s courageous journey from a deep-seated and inherited prejudice to a giving, open heart. It should serve as an inspiration to all of us, not just to think the right thing, but to put our thoughts into action and make this world a better place. A true pleasure to read. ” -Steve Sanfield*, author, Civil Rights activist and one of the first Freedom Riders

“Bill Drake writes with a disarming humility that guides the reader into a real yet non-judgmental conversation about the nature of prejudice. . . . With support from his book I have found a greater courage to examine the prejudice that lives in me.” -Rob Steffke, youth therapist and mentor, Movimiento (www.movimagine.org)

“Beginning with the powerful story of one man's healing from racism, *Almost Hereditary* offers many inspiring tools to help others do the same. Thank you to Bill Drake for the courage and commitment woven into this book.” -Sharon Salzberg*, author of *Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program* (Workman Publishing Company, 2010), Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society

“Bill Drake’s articulate and well written book testifies to the capacity to break free from our assumed identities. . . . His story invites us to be willing, as he has been willing, to investigate the personal and collective suffering caused by both conscious and subconscious acceptance of different values for different races.*”* -Gangaji*, author of *Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story* (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2011) and spiritual teacher

“Drake worked for much of his adult life to overcome his conditioned racism. . . . *Almost Hereditary* describes the journey and offers valuable lessons in how to undo the bondage of prejudice.” -Norma Watkins*, author of *The Last Resort: Taking the Mississippi Cure* (University Press of Mississippi, 2011), professor emerita at Miami Dade College (Miami, FL), creative writing professor at College of the Redwoods (Ft. Bragg, CA)

“A valuable, heartfelt reflection by a descendant of a Confederate officer.” -Curtis Wilkie*, author of Dixie (Scribner, 2002); Cook Chair and Associate Professor of Journalism, Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, University of Mississippi

“Almost Hereditary* is a strong personal account of a descendant of slave owners' difficult path from racial prejudice and white privilege to his rejection of racism, reclamation of his humanity, and current work for racial justice.” -Paul Kivel*, author of *Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice* (New Society Publisher, 2011), www.paulkivel.com

Almost Hereditary* . . . would be an excellent complementary reading for both undergraduate and graduate courses in race and ethnic relations, conflict resolution, and social inequality.” -Jeffrey G. Toussaint, PhD*, Dept. of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1494924013
• ISBN 13: 9781494924010
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 416