Confessions of a Recovering Racist

George O’Hare’s was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago in 1927 during the height of Jim Crow, when racism was a way of life for most white people. He went to an all-white grammar and high school, and was raised by an extremely racist uncle. George learned to be a racist at an early age, but when he joined Sears Roebuck as a salesman and his manager insisted that he become a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, he found himself in the company of African Americans for the first time in his life. He met some of the most iconic African Americans in the country, and became good friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, comedian Dick Gregory, Father George Clements, Muhammad Ali, State Senator Barack Obama, and many others. Racism became a very hot topic of discussion in America in 2017 with an outgoing Black president and an incumbent president who is known for his racist remarks, legislature, and appointees. Confessions of a Recovering Racist addresses the fallacy of racism in a unique, honest, and sometimes humorous way. It causes white people to take a second look at their prejudices, and informs Black people that a white man can be a hero in the Black community.

George O’Hare is a retired Sears salesman. He was born in 1927 in a segregated all-white neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. George attended all-white elementary and secondary schools, and majority white colleges. He was raised by an extremely racist uncle who taught him to fear and hate African Americans. On his own at Sears and a member of the Junior Chamber of College, George met and became personally involved with such iconic African Americans as Dr. Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali, Father George Clements, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others. He was an important figure in bringing widespread attention to the Civil Rights Movement. He marched with Dr. King, traveled with Muhammad Ali, and learned to love and respect African Americans; thus, he became a recovering racist. George was born in Chicago, but spent his adult life in Willowbrook, Illinois and currently resides in Lisle, Illinois.

Emma L. Young is a former advertising executive and freelance writer. She has written articles for numerous publications including The Saints Magazine, The Spiritual Perspective, the South Shore Current, and the West End Current. She previously wrote a memoir entitled Bronx Rhythms and Jim Crow Blues about the life of former Tuskegee Airman, John Harley. She also wrote a children’s book entitled It’s Good to be Me that is currently available on Amazon. Emma was born and raised and continues to reside in Chicago.