The Making of a Racist: a Southerner Reflects on Family, History, and the Slave Trade

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Outset your review of The Making of a Racist: A Southerner Reflects on Family, History, and the Slave Merchandise

This is a startling and sobering volume that tin roughly exist divided into two parts.
The first is the author'south recollections of growing up in Jim Crow Florida and the everyday racism that existed in that world. Not that he was aware of information technology even well into his late teens. Only when he attends college in the North does he slowly (as he points out his own racism was so ingrained that the process was excruciatingly wearisome)offset to question all that he was brought up to believe.
The 2d function of the boo This is a startling and sobering book that tin roughly be divided into two parts.
The showtime is the author's recollections of growing upward in Jim Crow Florida and the everyday racism that existed in that world. Not that he was aware of it fifty-fifty well into his late teens. Only when he attends college in the Due north does he slowly (as he points out his own racism was so ingrained that the process was excruciatingly tedious)start to question all that he was brought upwardly to believe.
The second part of the book is a brief history of the Virginia slave trade. Through letters, business relationship books, and journals, he documents the common cold and methodical mode human being beings were bought and sold like cattle.
Reading nameless and faceless negro "types" next to the dollar figures they are selling for that week is shocking in its boorishness and inhumanity. At that place is no concern for whatsoever of the lives or families being destroyed in these letters, simply alphabetic character after letter of the alphabet of inquiries about how much human beings as young as 8 or ix years old would fetch at auction that week.
It's tummy turning reading to be sure simply I'k grateful that the author was able to wade through these horrific source materials and write this book. Not an piece of cake to read book, but a very of import one. ...more

5 stars for the first one-half. This is a very of import book almost a history professor who was born in the Jim Crow south and how he, like many other youth of the due south, was "trained" to be a racist. It is a very unique perspective on the issue of race in America. However, in the 2d half of the book, it gets less personal and more textbook like with the author going into exhaustive detail regarding his research regarding documents and letters he encountered at different times in his career. Whi 5 stars for the kickoff half. This is a very important book near a history professor who was built-in in the Jim Crow southward and how he, like many other youth of the south, was "trained" to be a racist. Information technology is a very unique perspective on the issue of race in America. However, in the second half of the volume, it gets less personal and more than textbook like with the author going into exhaustive detail regarding his enquiry regarding documents and messages he encountered at different times in his career. While I exercise not undervalue the importance of this research or it's inclusion in this book, I feel that it starts to read like a textbook and detracts from the very personal story and eventual enlightenment of the author. ...more

This is a thoughtful, of import volume. Written nearly his transformation from a Southern racist to an enlightened Southerner, Dew reaches into his soul to examine what happened during his higher years to transform him. It began with his option of a Northern college where, for the first time, he learned to relate to African-Americans as equals, something he had never fifty-fifty considered previously. He discusses the overt as well equally covert means that attitudes toward race among Southern whites have been This is a thoughtful, of import volume. Written about his transformation from a Southern racist to an enlightened Southerner, Dew reaches into his soul to examine what happened during his college years to transform him. It began with his selection of a Northern college where, for the first fourth dimension, he learned to relate to African-Americans as equals, something he had never even considered previously. He discusses the overt every bit well equally covert ways that attitudes toward race among Southern whites accept been passed down. This is a short volume and one that I program to make required reading in American history classes. ...more

Feb 03, 2017 Jeanne rated it really liked it

The best review of this book would be in Charles Dew'southward own words ...... "considering I wanted to know how white Southerners – my people – had managed to look evil in the face every solar day and non see what was correct at that place in front of them, in forepart of us."

A powerful memoir.

The all-time review of this book would be in Charles Dew'south own words ...... "considering I wanted to know how white Southerners – my people – had managed to look evil in the face every day and non run into what was right there in front of them, in forepart of us."

A powerful memoir.

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February 24, 2018 Terri rated it liked it

I read this book because the writer grew upwardly in St. Pete and lived in Old Northeast. Most of this volume either made me feel sad or angry. I tried to understand it from the writer'south viewpoint but that didn't help me much. Particularly the scene where he felt compelled to apologize to his horrifically racist male parent. It left me so thankful that I grew upwardly in the south and managed for this NOT to be my reality. I read this book because the author grew upwards in St. Pete and lived in One-time Northeast. Nearly of this book either made me feel sad or angry. I tried to sympathize it from the writer'south viewpoint simply that didn't help me much. Especially the scene where he felt compelled to repent to his horrifically racist begetter. Information technology left me and so thankful that I grew up in the s and managed for this NOT to be my reality. ...more

When I think about Charles Dew'due south transformation, I call back about social constructs and social learning. Both play a big part in our personal development. If Charles Dew had never left the s to attend college in Massachusetts, nosotros might not take had a clear review of the stock market that served every bit both a metaphor for the way homo beings were thought of and treated as chattel, and of the Wall Street style of valuating these and then-called chattel. In 1889 slave "stock" value was at it'south highest, and When I think about Charles Dew's transformation, I think about social constructs and social learning. Both play a large function in our personal development. If Charles Dew had never left the south to attend college in Massachusetts, nosotros might not have had a clear review of the stock market that served every bit both a metaphor for the manner human beings were thought of and treated as chattel, and of the Wall Street style of valuating these so-called chattel. In 1889 slave "stock" value was at it's highest, and in 1860, it met a sharp decline, which continued until nigh the end of the Civil War. The Ceremonious War took identify from 1861-1865. Change was looming, every bit reflected past the market.

Charles' move from the deep south to i of the most liberal states in the U.S. changes everything. The assumptions and false history presented to the in-oversupply of pro slavery whites shared in this volume was systematically challenged. In the finish Charles could not let his nagging feeling that slavery was incorrect non to straight his path.

I feel that this book is worth a read. It shares a unique perspective and approach to the U.Southward. discussion on race that tin can only be offered past a scholar who has gone through an extensive process of self test and found himself lacking. The document shared in the book that listed the types of slaves to be sold at the Richmond marketplace was chilling. Dr. Dew's research on the subject is all-inclusive and covers areas not previously considered.

I rarely write reviews for Goodreads or Amazon, merely the unique approach and the equally unique data shared in this volume compelled me to practise and then.

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January 21, 2018 Mickie rated it information technology was amazing

Fantabulous volume past an honest historian who writes what he saw and lived. Should be widely read— especially by Southerners who still remember the Civil War was heroic.

January 17, 2019 Suzanne Ondrus rated information technology really liked it

I read this in less than a day; it is absorbing, walking yous through another era with analysis. Dew retraces his childhood, right in the dwelling, examining what stories he was read, what jokes were told, and what songs were sung. He tells us many unrealized rules that governed his house, such as: His family designated chipped dishes, jelly spectacles (to be used as drinking cups) to be used solely for the help(36).
His family unit had 2 bathrooms; the worn out & not pretty one was for the aid. There were n I read this in less than a solar day; information technology is absorbing, walking you through another era with analysis. Dew retraces his childhood, right in the home, examining what stories he was read, what jokes were told, and what songs were sung. He tells the states many unrealized rules that governed his house, such as: His family designated chipped dishes, jelly spectacles (to be used equally drinking cups) to be used solely for the help(36).
His family had two bathrooms; the worn out & not pretty 1 was for the help. At that place were no signs designating usage, but information technology operated this fashion (36-37).
He was taught to not shake hands with blacks (37).
He was taught to only address blacks by their commencement names (37).
There was a specific house door for blacks to use (37)

Dew (who at the time of 2016 publication was about 80): "I think I started studying the Due south and race and slavery because I wanted to know how white southerners- my people- had managed to await evil in the face every day and not see what was right at that place in front end of them, in front of united states. ….Why couldn't nosotros come across this evil? It was right there in front of the states. Every day. Slavery in the nineteenth century. Segregation in mine. Moral abominations. Even so we were oblivious to all of information technology"(92).

"I call up that process of change and gradual transformation involved 2 things: consciousness raising and censor raising"(62).

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Jan 02, 2017 Philip Russell rated it really liked it

Dr. Dew's honest business relationship is a must read for anyone interested in race relations in the (mid)south. Putting face up on racism makes information technology all the more menacing. Dr. Dew's honest account is a must read for anyone interested in race relations in the (mid)south. Putting face on racism makes it all the more menacing. ...more

Feb 05, 2017 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Must read. Written report the past to articulate a amend way for the futurity.

Mar 09, 2017 Gail rated it did not like it

This book was written by a member of an erstwhile St Petersburg family. A story of racism that wouldn't be far different from whatever of our families growing up with white privilege. Hmmmm. This book was written by a member of an sometime St Petersburg family. A story of racism that wouldn't be far different from any of our families growing upwardly with white privilege. Hmmmm. ...more

Nov 12, 2017 Jill rated it it was amazing

interesting perspective - part of my mini-course on agreement what happened to our country to elect Donald Trump

Jun 29, 2018 Amalia Torres rated it it was astonishing

Information technology is the all-time book that I read on racism and how a social club dehumanizes to treat other race as if they were animals non capable of thinking or having feelings.

DNF (though I would take pushed to finish had I been able to attend book lodge). In the words of someone I know and admire, "Like dude, just write information technology in your diary." DNF (though I would have pushed to finish had I been able to attend book gild). In the words of someone I know and admire, "Like dude, just write it in your diary." ...more than

A quick book to read on a very complicated effect. Professor Dew draws from his own experiences in the 'Jim Crow' south and historical documentation on the slave trade, an expert in both I'd say. The book adresses how white people don't run across themselves equally racist if their own actions are not overtly cruel or physically trigger-happy. Yet, when societies care for a group fifty-fifty in sublte ways ( by ways/rules that are recognizable to all involved) it sets up divisions that are far from equal. Examples of this a A quick volume to read on a very complicated issue. Professor Dew draws from his own experiences in the 'Jim Crow' south and historical documentation on the slave trade, an expert in both I'd say. The volume adresses how white people don't run into themselves equally racist if their ain deportment are not overtly cruel or physically vehement. However, when societies treat a grouping even in sublte means ( by ways/rules that are recognizable to all involved) it sets up divisions that are far from equal. Examples of this are seperate restrooms, schools or as simple equally calling (even small white children) blacks past their first names, when other white adults would exist addressed every bit Sir, Madam, Mr. or Mrs.. One's home-life is the main source of this beliefs, but can exist reinforced past communites and society. With today'south resurgense of racism I found the book very interesting and timely.

unfamiliar words;

pg. 34 golliwog-a soft doll with brilliant clothes, a black face, and fuzzy pilus.
pg. 44 miscegenation-the interbreeding of people considered to exist of dissimilar racial types.
pg. 52 didactic-intended to teach, specially in having moral didactics every bit an ulterior motive:
pg. lxxx jerimiads-a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.
pg. 114 bitchy-a person who suffers from indigestion or irritability.
pg. 118 opprobrium-harsh criticism or censure:

...more than

Jan 29, 2018 Brittany rated information technology really liked it

Charles Dew grew up primarily in Florida (with a picayune flake of Virginia). He was built-in in 1937 and was raised equally a true southern male child of that era. He listened and read racist stories with his parents, and was told why the southward was on the correct side of the Ceremonious State of war. His grandfather wrote in support of slavery, his father was very pro-segregation, and his mother quietly reinforced all the hatred. Fast forwards to Dew's college years up due north and him starting to question his beliefs on race. He ends Charles Dew grew up primarily in Florida (with a little bit of Virginia). He was born in 1937 and was raised equally a true southern boy of that era. He listened and read racist stories with his parents, and was told why the s was on the correct side of the Civil War. His gramps wrote in support of slavery, his begetter was very pro-segregation, and his mother quietly reinforced all the hatred. Fast forwards to Dew'south higher years upward north and him starting to question his beliefs on race. He ends up a historian and starts to explore what makes "honorable" southern people do horrible things. He then goes into various historical slavery documents, which were horrifying yet fascinating. You hear about the slave trade directly from the traders. Overall, you can definitely feel the author's white guilt coming off the pages. Some of the volume feels like an apology for his before years, but he is as well a historian trying to explicate how racists come up to fruition and insight into how to cease the hatred. ...more

Sep 09, 2019 Ron Abernethy rated it it was amazing

I had the singled-out pleasure of being asked to selection up Dr. Dew at the Birmingham, Alabama Amtrak train station (his preferred mode of travel) in 2018 to take him to a social justice event in Montgomery, Alabama in which he was the chief speaker. I had read his book prior to meeting him that twenty-four hours and I was more than than eager to see just who this he was and whether the 'face-to-face' person was, indeed, the 1 I came to know nigh in his book. Let me but say that the xc minute ride to Montgomery was o I had the singled-out pleasure of existence asked to pick upward Dr. Dew at the Birmingham, Alabama Amtrak train station (his preferred mode of travel) in 2018 to accept him to a social justice effect in Montgomery, Alabama in which he was the master speaker. I had read his book prior to meeting him that day and I was more than eager to see just who this he was and whether the 'contiguous' person was, indeed, the one I came to know near in his book. Let me just say that the 90 minute ride to Montgomery was one of the most intriguing and awe-inspiring moments of my life. It might exist cliche-ish to say so only in that location is a calorie-free that emanates from him. To me, it was a light of someone who truly found redemption and transformation. In that brusque time, we talked about so many different things, in addition to his book, that are impacting the globe today. More often than not, I was moved by some of the back stories he shared which informed his transformation which did not make information technology into the book. We remain friends and nonetheless stay in touch to this mean solar day. It'south a friendship I cherish and which gives me promise. ...more than

Sep 01, 2017 Jane rated it really liked it

Professor examines his own history of growing upwardly in the Jim Crow South to discover how a person becomes indoctrinated with racist attitudes. He questions how slavery and segregation can be staring one in the face and have little opposition. He delves into the history of slavery: it was the second most lucrative enterprise, after the plantations themselves, in the South during the 19th century, with millions of slaves being used as investments, debt payments, human chattel to augment the wealth o Professor examines his own history of growing upwards in the Jim Crow South to find how a person becomes indoctrinated with racist attitudes. He questions how slavery and segregation can be staring one in the confront and take little opposition. He delves into the history of slavery: information technology was the second most lucrative enterprise, after the plantations themselves, in the Southward during the 19th century, with millions of slaves existence used equally investments, debt payments, human chattel to augment the wealth of the traders, whose center was in Richmond, Virginia.
The author's breakaway from his racist past begins with having a blackness roommate, reading the NY Times, and attention Williams College in Massachusetts, where he began to realize that there were different modes of thinking about race and then-chosen superiority.
An honest cocky-test and explanation of how children become racist through indoctrination and habits of thinking. ...more

Roughly divided into ii parts, ane is near the life of the writer during the Jim Crow era in American south and his effort to interruption free of it, the racism and all, and the 2d part discussed correspondences between slave traders and the slavers, which construed the very foundation of the evilness of slavery in American south, that is the commodification of humankind, separating children from their families, and so forth. I found the author's groundwork stories of his life quite fascinating Roughly divided into two parts, i is about the life of the writer during the Jim Crow era in American southward and his attempt to suspension free of it, the racism and all, and the 2nd function discussed correspondences between slave traders and the slavers, which construed the very foundation of the evilness of slavery in American south, that is the commodification of humankind, separating children from their families, and so along. I found the writer's background stories of his life quite fascinating, which unfortunately, had to exist ended with ho-hum messages from 19th century. ...more

Dec twenty, 2017 ejs rated it really liked information technology

This is an middle opening book into "how can you retrieve like that?!" I at present empathise a lot better, virtually how some southerners are as racist as they are. This book is written by a man who goes North for an educational activity and learns more than than he ever idea he would. He recalls how the changes began, but yet understands that he notwithstanding has a manner to go...but he has the understanding to run across how he became a racist and how he is changes. Information technology is a very of import book for the times. This is an middle opening book into "how tin you call up like that?!" I at present understand a lot ameliorate, about how some southerners are equally racist as they are. This book is written past a man who goes Due north for an education and learns more than he ever thought he would. He recalls how the changes began, only withal understands that he still has a way to go...merely he has the understanding to run into how he became a racist and how he is changes. It is a very of import book for the times. ...more

Sep 27, 2016 Pat Carson rated it really liked information technology

Another book for the AP Challenge List (my own invention)- Dew takes us from his childhood through his slow enkindling to the contradictions and injustice in Southern life. In 167 pages Dew tin show a reader the what and why of the former segregated Southward and the challenge one individual faced when he 'woke up' to the other side of history. Well worth the read. Some other book for the AP Challenge List (my own invention)- Dew takes usa from his childhood through his wearisome awakening to the contradictions and injustice in Southern life. In 167 pages Dew tin can show a reader the what and why of the sometime segregated South and the claiming one private faced when he 'woke upwardly' to the other side of history. Well worth the read. ...more than

Mar 18, 2018 Chelsea Hunt rated it it was amazing

The book is split into ii equally fascinating parts- the author's feel growing upwards in the Jim Crow south and his subsequent research into the slave trade equally a professor. He packs quite a punch for a book nether 200 pages. It's an every bit deplorable and terrifying look at our country's racist history through ii different lenses- an fantabulous read.

Aug eighteen, 2018 Iris rated it really liked information technology

Charles B. Dew'southward exploration into his Southern upbringing. He brings in main sources - letters between slave traders', inventory and sales numbers to critically analyze Southern history, and he asks his students to practice the same. Ultimately, racism is learned. Equally Dew's wise housekeeper stated, "Why practice parents instill 'detest in children?'" Charles B. Dew's exploration into his Southern upbringing. He brings in primary sources - messages between slave traders', inventory and sales numbers to critically analyze Southern history, and he asks his students to do the same. Ultimately, racism is learned. As Dew's wise housekeeper stated, "Why do parents instill 'hate in children?'" ...more

Part memoir, part reflection on the roots of the treatment of blacks in American lodge through the lens of slave sales. Dew gives a succinct and affecting account of his transformation from his babyhood prejudices to what he became every bit a historian. More than of us should reverberate how we grew into the adults we are.

January 03, 2017 Ann rated it it was astonishing

Outstanding: both the writer'due south own odyssey and his test of the Richmond slave trade and the greed, racism, and heartlessness behind it as small children routinely separated from families and offered for sale as a thing or course Outstanding: both the author's own odyssey and his test of the Richmond slave trade and the greed, racism, and heartlessness behind it every bit pocket-size children routinely separated from families and offered for sale as a matter or form ...more

Jan 05, 2017 Mindy Harman rated it really liked it

An interesting read from the indicate of view of a southern man raised in a racist environs. The writer became a historian then used his instruction to really focus on the bailiwick of racism and slavery in the Southward.

January 06, 2017 Sharon rated it it was ok

Dew reflects on his early life as a southerner during the 1950s. Equally a youngster he adopted the attitudes he saw around him. As a college student in the North, he confronted his racist attitudes. As a history professor and author, he became a scholar of the South.

Jan 16, 2017 Aaron Spiegel rated it it was amazing

It would be easy to exist furious at white southerners for the horrible acts and attitudes of the 19th century, merely all Americans are guilty of perpetuating racial bigotry. Every white American should exist required to read this book.

Enjoyed hearing writer speak last night, book is a wonderful commentary on the importance of teachers and "parents as teachers." But more importantly the importance of discussing racism in America, its historical roots and presence today. Enjoyed hearing author speak last night, volume is a wonderful commentary on the importance of teachers and "parents as teachers." But more than importantly the importance of discussing racism in America, its historical roots and presence today. ...more

Nov 22, 2018 Uschi rated it really liked it

Insight into the business of the slave trade from a historian'southward perspective also as his upbringing in racist, segregated South. Written a fleck stilted and tedious, the subject affair is disturbing. Insight into the business of the slave trade from a historian's perspective besides equally his upbringing in racist, segregated South. Written a bit stilted and irksome, the subject area affair is disturbing. ...more

Charles Dew is Ephraim Williams Professor of American History at Williams College. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, he attended Woodberry Woods School in Viriginia and Williams Higher prior to completing his Ph.D. caste at the Johns Hopkins Academy under the direction of C. Vann Woodward.

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"But I was simultaneously able to be friends with Ted and still walk into my sophomore American history form and cite Abraham Lincoln as my authority for defending racial segregation in the South. I could read almost the brutal lynching of Emmett Till in Mississippi in the summer of 1955 and, a few short months later, write my comment about the whipping of John C. Calhoun'southward slave in Hofstadter'due south American Political Tradition. I wish I could explain this, but it mystifies me even now." — 0 likes

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