In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day local author Bill Drake presents “Almost Hereditary: The Roots of Racism in My Southern Family,” a presentation with stories, readings, poems, and slides.
The readings will be from the diary of Bill’s great-great-grandmother whose sons fought in the Civil War and whose family owned slave plantations in Mississippi. Bill will share how racism was passed down his family lineage. Like his mother before him, he grew up in what was called the “Jim Crow era,” a time of extreme segregation in the South. As a child he was taught to believe in white supremacy, a concept he rejected after two pivotal experiences during his late teenage years.
He is also co-founder of Creating Communities Beyond Bias, which offers workshops for local high school students related to unlearning prejudice. Copies of his book Almost Hereditary: A White Southerner’s Journey Out of Racism, A Guide for Unlearning and Healing Prejudice will be available for sale and signing.
Reviews of Bill Drake’s book:
“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, local author, Civil Rights activist and one of the first Freedom Riders