Rising out of Hatred

The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist

By: Eli Saslow

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Eli Saslow

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, the powerful story of how a prominent white supremacist changed his heart and mind

Derek Black grew up at the epicenter of white nationalism. His father founded Stormfront, the largest racist community on the Internet. His godfather, David Duke, was a KKK Grand Wizard. By the time Derek turned 19, he had become an elected politician with his own daily radio show - already regarded as the "the leading light" of the burgeoning white nationalist movement. "We can infiltrate," Derek once told a crowd of white nationalists. "We can take the country back."

Then he went to college. Derek had been homeschooled by his parents, steeped in the culture of white supremacy, and he had rarely encountered diverse perspectives or direct outrage against his beliefs. At New College of Florida, he continued to broadcast his radio show in secret each morning, living a double life until a classmate uncovered his identity and sent an email to the entire school: "Derek Black...white supremacist, radio host...New College student???"

The ensuing uproar overtook one of the most liberal colleges in the country. Some students protested Derek's presence on campus, forcing him to reconcile for the first time with the ugliness his beliefs. Other students found the courage to reach out to him, including an Orthodox Jew who invited Derek to attend weekly Shabbat dinners. It was because of those dinners - and the wide-ranging relationships formed at that table - that Derek started to question the science, history, and prejudices behind his worldview. As white nationalism infiltrated the political mainstream, Derek decided to confront the damage he had done.

Rising out of Hatred tells the story of how white-supremacist ideas migrated from the far-right fringe to the White House through the intensely personal saga of one man who eventually disavowed everything he was taught to believe, at tremendous personal cost. With great empathy and narrative verve, Eli Saslow asks what Derek's story can tell us about America's increasingly divided nature. This is a book to help us understand the American moment and to help us better understand one another.

©2018 Eli Saslow (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Rising Out of Hatred is a disturbing look at the spread of that extremism - and how it is planted and cultivated in the fertile soil of American bigotry. And yet, Saslow’s vivid storytelling also conveys that during this period of deepening racial division, there is the possibility of redemption." (Washington Post)

“The story of Derek Black is the human being at his gutsy, self-reflecting, revolutionary best, told by one of America’s best storytellers at his very best. Rising out of Hatred proclaims if the successor to the white nationalist movement can forsake his ideological upbringing, can rebirth himself in antiracism, then we can too no matter the personal cost. This book is an inspiration.” (Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America)

“This is a double portrait: of a worse America, and of a better one. Neither of them has yet come to pass, but each of them might. Thanks to reporting that is both truthful and humane, we see in one young man's decision a guide to the choices that face a generation and a country." (Timothy Snyder, New York Times best-selling author of On Tyranny and The Road to Unfreedom)

Must-Read

The first time I heard of Derek Black was on an episode of the podcast The Daily. I found his story fascinating even then, and when I had a chance to read this book, I was excited to learn more. Rising Out of Hatred tells Derek's story, but also that of his family and though I will never truly understand let alone condone the "movement" of white supremacy, I found it disturbingly intriguing to see their reasoning for such hateful ideology. It's incredible that Derek - through his experiences and influences in college - was able to understand that this was wrong and that he had to change his thinking and his actions. The fact that he did and that he is willing to be open about his experience gives me hope that people can change. I don't want to talk specifics about current politics in the US, but we all know how divisive the environment has become. We need to keep the hope alive that we can recover from this time of so much outward hatred and partisan division, and be open and willing to learn about the experiences and thoughts of others in the way Derek Black did. It's important to be willing not to dismiss those who think differently from us as ignorant idiots, but to try to understand why they think the way they do and how to approach that. I am not saying I am the paragon of this behavior by any means. I am angry, too, and disappointed with the mood of the time, but I want to be better than that, and I want us all to be better than that. I feel I am veering away from the book now, and maybe that's fine, because it provoked thoughts in me that go well beyond Derek's story and wrap around the problems of the world and society of today and of the past.

Brilliant!

Top books I’ve read! Loved every minute. Please read or listen! Currently recommending this book to everyone.

Important Read

I am shaken by the White Nationalist agenda, but really impressed by the slow, rational, fact-based, and relationship valuing way Derek's mind was opened. Please continue to speak out.

An eye opening journey

This story is both fascinating and sickening. I consider myself fairly liberal and have never really understood “white thinking” even though that is the box I get to check every time I am asked about my race. This book opens you up to an entirely different type of racism, something I was never raised with. It is nice to know that just because you are raised a certain way doesn’t mean you have to maintain that belief system. It’s a great story of acceptance, free thinking, and inclusion. It’s a must read.

WOW

Fascinating look into Derek’s transformation from outspoken white nationalists to denouncing his families views and advocation for equality

This book is important

This book is important. I can’t think of a more important book for people to read in our incredibly politically charged world right now. Learning the importance and the impact that the way we interact with those whom we disagree is vital to our future. Beyond all of that this book is incredibly engrossing in the amazing life change that it chronicles. Read it now.

Excellent

This is a great summary of Derek’s life. From what I read, I submit that Derek was an academic racist. He never really fit the mold of a true racist. There is no way he could’ve been friends with all of the people he befriended if he was a true to his soul racist. He was very intelligent and could take what he learned in his insular environment and put some logic to it. Once he was exposed to other ideas and cultures his ultimate transformation started to take place.

Fantastic, truly worth a read!

Understanding the evolution of white nationalism is fundamental to understanding the current political climate and a key component of effectively dismantling it.

Chronicles the journey of changing entrenched beliefs

Chronicles the courage, inner work and interpersonal relationships needed to change a deeply entrenched belief in white supremacy. Both exasperating and terrifying in it’s description of the white supremacy world view and the numerable defense mechanisms used by holders of this view in justifying their belief system. At the same time, treats these believers as human. ‘Rigid beliefs are fear in disguise’

Thank you for sharing your story

We have so much work to do to bridge the gap in our country. its hard to have these discussions but it makes a big difference!