Thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday, and Eli Saslow for the opportunity to read this most-timely book about racism.
A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist writes about Derek Brown, the son of Don Brown who started Stormfront, the internet community that promoted white nationalism, and the godson of David Duke, a KKK Grand Wizard. Raised by radical parents and home-schooled basically on his own, Derek was groomed to be the face of the white nationalism movement going into the future. He started his own radio show and was involved in politics while still in his teens. When he started college at the New College of Florida, he was suddenly thrust into a very liberal, intelligent, diverse community of people. He hid his past, continuing in secret to broadcast his radio program while starting relationships with Jewish and immigrant people. Once he was "outed," the college community was intensely divided into those who hated him and those who urged a different approach - talking to him and trying to understand his beliefs. Derek's eyes were opened by people who were exceedingly patient with him until he had to make a personal decision that would put him at odds with his entire family.
This book is a beacon of hope in today's increasingly hate-filled society. By sitting down calmly with people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs, we can impact change.
Highly recommended - would be great high school/college required reading.
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