They Were the Poster Child for the KKK; Now They Advocate for Antiracism | Amanpour and Company

In a new memoir, “The Klansman’s Son," R. Derek Black writes about their upbringing and personal transformation - from a committed white supremacist since childhood to an outspoken anti-racism advocate. The author joins the show to reflect on their journey and offer insight into why people hold onto extremist beliefs.
Originally aired on June 4, 2024
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@jaioxung]

Stories like this give me hope that we will eventually get there...eventually.

[@alphaomega8373]

After thinning the hate herd.

[@HarryFlowerrs]

MAGA has put that back decades if not centuries.........

[@feedtherich11]

I have Hundreds of. MAGA neighbors which I have nothing to do ( I live in a Blue State. ) These folks are in a cult and nothing will change , these folks are unhinged .

[@kgreen8527]

It will never happen because justice has never been served!

[@user-bo2yz8ft5e]

He chose to change but he was forced by education system. He is just extreme case but there are less extreme cases in everyday life. As if u have to be part of a group to be hateful and have a sense of superiority. Majority of whites are conditioned to be white supremacist whether in Europe, South Africa or Mexico. Whites are superior to nonwhites in Latin America, look at Mexico and Brazil

[@kymbartley8104]

What a brave and intelligent guy. I'll check out the book.

[@wholeshebang1]

You must mean "brave and intelligent *person."* _They_ said _they_ are exploring _their _*_transgender identity,_* and the last question by the host asked _them_ about the change in _their _*_pronouns._* Try to *respect* _their_ choice.

[@opinion3742]

@@wholeshebang1 I'm sure she can manage that. Guy is quickly becoming a gender neutral term.

[@theodorehaskins3756]

Whoah! Let’s not make this about gender, this is about a journey of enlightenment, and his gender choice whatever it may be, is none of our business, so let’s stay focused on why this book was written? Read the title, what did the title say? Has anyone read the book?

[@sillybirdy1994]

She isnt a guy.

[@christianthompson7495]

Much respect to R. Derek Black and this channel for a great interview and superior bravery and strength to speak up and speak out! 👏

[@terrypetersen2970]

Who wants to bet that this book will be banned in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma school libraries.

[@Sad_bumper_sticker.]

It may because they are trans :(

[@tytrammell3368]

Great moral lesson ❤ elimination of all sorts of prejudice. Thank you Derek.

[@cherylalt101]

Excellent interview. This never-ending anthem of the south will rise again continues piercing the heart of America. From the end of the Civil War, the United Daughters of the Confederacy have been rewriting our history. This group is responsible for the majority of all the Confederate statues and monuments around the country. They have also been extremely influential in selecting history textbooks for many of the public schools across America. It's hard to believe, but to this day, this group is wielding much power and spreading much misinformation about the cause of the Civil War and downplaying any part played by slavery. Much of America's history has truly been whitewashed and imo the government has been complicit in this in so many ways when they should have been much more aggressively working to stop these same old south will rise again white nationalist beliefs from dividing and destroying us all.

[@Maliceless100]

SO TRUE

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Well said.

[@wholeshebang1]

I was not aware of that!

[@tlee4218]

Yet the leaders are the white men not the women. Yes they have their corner the men let them lead the nit picking work but men rule not women.

[@Livingtheinvisiblelife]

I’d like to see the sources you have that prove this

[@LA-rv2fr]

Michelle Martin is always masterful. So glad for this young man's desire to plumb his upbringing and live in the light. I wish him well.

[@wholeshebang1]

You must mean "brave and intelligent *person."* _They_ said _they_ are exploring _their _*_transgender identity,_* and the last question by the host asked _them_ about the change in _their _*_pronouns._* Try to *respect* _their_ choice.

[@sillybirdy1994]

not a man!!!!!! Did you even watch the interview?

[@mytruecrimelibrary]

Happy Pride ❤🧡💛💚💜💙

[@JamFlava1]

F 🏳️‍🌈

[@o0R3stless0o]

🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈

[@tysonb3568]

Whoo hoo!

[@teddydavis2339]

This country has had a very violent past. I admire this young man's bravery. I have difficulties understanding racial hatred, so I always find it interesting to listen to such stories. I really don't understand the so-called Christians who don't understand God wants us to love each other. Hatred holds the world back in so many ways. Could you imagine the world without hate? Wow! That would be an awesome place.

[@yveeriksson7437]

Extremely brave person. Great interview!

[@cathykrall2937]

Thank you to Derek and his fellow Novo Collegians for assisting him in his educational journey . This is exactly what a true liberal arts education is all about and why Gov DeSantis and Chris Rufo etc are trying to destroy New College of Florida. As a New College alumna we support the students in trying to keep the focus on open education and inquiry not indoctrination.

[@wholeshebang1]

You must mean *them.* Derek said _they_ are exploring _their _*_transgender identity,_* and the last question by the host asked _them_ about the change in _their _*_pronouns._* Try to *respect* _their_ choice.

[@ZoeMC369]

I am so grateful for the open education, critical thinking and supportive community offered by new college. I was there when Derek started and people knew about his background but that’s not what defines him. Go Derek!

[@illegitiminoncarborundum1323]

@@ZoeMC369yet you ignore their pronouns…you are apart of the problem.

[@hildeschmid8400]

​@@illegitiminoncarborundum1323there are people who believe and support transgender people, but let's face it, many, many people have grown up with the old pronouns, and mistakes are made. Perhaps a gentle reminder would have been more appropriate.

[@ZoeMC369]

@@hildeschmid8400​​⁠thank you. When i went to school with Derek, “he” was the pronoun used, and I was referring to the person I knew back then, as I knew them! Also I think ostracizing others for a simple pronoun slip is more problematic than the error itself. Although now I wonder, in talking about a person in the time before they transition, would it be ever appropriate to use their former pronouns? Idk.

[@MarkSHogan]

It's always possible for people to learn and grow as better humans.

[@opinion3742]

It probably helps to be uncomfortable in your assigned gender.

[@brucebennett5338]

Well done, Mr. Black. Respect. Yasher koach.

[@rebekahcuriel-alessi2239]

Great conversation.

[@MicheleEngel]

That's the key reason: A sense of belonging to a community. When your family, friends, neighbors, and the people who attend your church all believe it, it's very difficult to part ways from the community and its belief system. That human need to belong to a community supersedes intelligence and education.

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

That is my thought as well. We are tribal in life after after life until our innate security no longer needs external definition of who we are.

[@carolbulmer8253]

Great interview! Thank you👏👏👏👏👏

[@laurellussen3512]

Wow. I will read the book and return to this salient conversation. I appreciate you both.

[@toddleyland1131]

Gives me hope in humanity. Inspiring 🙏🏼

[@msmacmac1000]

Brave and beautiful young man.❤ what a tragedy for New College and Florida- and all of US

[@amyfake1406]

Love to Derek🤗🤗🤗. Definitely purchasing his book ❤

[@louisachalarca6494]

Love kids finding themselves ❤

[@michellelattanzi8110]

So grateful for this person's incredible story and the courage they have to tell it. It's an example of how delusion works, i.e. the stories we tell ourselves. Each person is responsible for interrogating who we authentically are, independent of the culture and society in which we were raised. Everyone is vulnerable to the right kind of manipulation. We owe that to the victims of historic injustice.

[@cynthia4326]

R. Derek Black ~ THANK YOU

[@FelisImpurrator]

They're kinda cute, ngl. Coming out as trans in the same book as "how I escaped the cult of white nationalism" is a power move. Based.

[@snorristurluson5849]

He, not they

[@FelisImpurrator]

@@snorristurluson5849 Wrong, and no one cares that you think otherwise.

[@snorristurluson5849]

@@FelisImpurrator wrong? I'm not the one who's intentionally fking up English grammar. Also the vast majority of ppl care bout what I think bc they understand that it's absolutely a bunch of silly, ridiculous nonsense fairy tale horseshit for a singular individual male to go by the pronouns they them

[@LisaRichards_123]

“I was a racist, because I care about my family,” doesn’t work. It’s that you did not want to think for yourself. Just like all the people that want Fox News or Donald Trump to think for them. And that want them to tell them who to hate. So many people are afraid to think, but glad he came around.

[@fizzedupslade4082]

Very enlightening interview. Many thanks.

[@aWOKEn1445]

"We shall overcome..." Truth always wins! Peace!💙

[@gabbylaughs0574]

Excellent interview. What an honorable person to have come out on the other side of that depraved movement.

[@onecompass7290]

His father looks like a stone cold psychopath.

[@davidroberts5577]

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

[@maxlogan215]

Wow…very deep. This is a courageous young man. Thank you

[@bluesquirrel3919]

Hope he'll be safe and watch his back, because KKK ain't gonna' be happy with him. Be safe R. Derek, very brave you are.

[@sandraloomis8179]

They are one of the bravest, most love filled humans i’ve had the pleasure to listen to… ❤️

[@tracevicente]

Important interview. Thank you both.

[@janetkruth3813]

Glad to see that this exceptional man is apparently not in the country. Hopefully he's not even where the video shows. Interesting that he attended New College in Florida, the liberal arts college that Ron DSantis later destroyed.

[@feedtherich11]

Welcome Derek to the right side of the world, ❤

[@glenagarrett4704]

That is one morally brave person right there.

[@user-xu2rv7vi5h]

Thank you, for this.

[@nicki66]

I actually have worked with grassroots organizations in Florida to support them in trying to become to stem this disturbing attack on the 2SLGBTQ2+ community, particularly the trans community. Terrific story and reporting! Thanks so much for sharing this with your audience. R. Derek Black, I love that speak up for the world you want to see.❤😊

[@stephenhansen]

I am curious to know how he gets along with his father and crew now.

[@gailflanagan1214]

Good question. I'm guessing, that's going to be a struggle but I hope he's opening their minds if only a crack.

[@maryjane2965]

Great interviewer,great guest!!!🎉❤

[@theblackcottonball5987]

So I googled him because Jenny Jones is such an old talk show but he looks like 21 years old in this interview. Shockinly, he is 35!

[@ComradeCatpurrnicus]

A testament to education and socialization. When we learn to critically think and socialize around people with differences, we're all better off and more likely to be empathetic and understanding people. I'm so glad they were able to escape ❤

[@davidk1493]

What an enlightening interview! I am reminded of a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh: “There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus.”

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

good one.

[@LethalSaliva]

I like it👍

[@Girlhead]

Derek could have disappeared into obscurity, but they went the extra step and now they speak out. Amazing.

[@maryburrell3948]

I would read this book for sure.

[@dallingoodrich]

As a wise man once said "The cure for ignorance is education"

[@vivalaleta]

My mother shipped me over to my much older and very religious sister in jr high. What I went through with them and how I came out of it after I was apart from the religion made me a new person. A good bunch of it was based on, not hate, but disgust at least.

[@ritahall8148]

I read that a test to determine if someone was a Republican was to determine how easily disgusted that person was. 95% of the easily disgusted persons were Republicans.

[@chrischase7300]

Wow! What a great interview.

[@gittel_malky]

Very intelligent and well-spoken person.

[@shermanwellons]

Bravo to this young man👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@hildeschmid8400]

I wonder if this book will be banned in Florida? I hope not! I definitely want to read this, and will buy it, even if they ban it here. There are a lot more states that don't ban them. This young person has looked beyond his past, and gives us hope for the future.

[@billbernhard3582]

Hate is easy. "Different" opens the door to Distance ! We can work on this, or decide to remain upset by the indices of 'different'. Better would be to interact, witnessing the value of someone brand new and unknown, without the pre-judgement. We KNOW individuals like Trump. We can and should judge them. But we cannot know a race, a religion, a socio/economic group without doing the hard work of meeting and assessing the thing we do not know yet.

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

I sometimes think in the eternal scheme of things that DJT has great courage to volunteer his person as a model of what every conscious being finds reprehensible. Kind of like a national, and international, public flogging. We have to get these things out in the light for people to see[hopefully in ourselves] question them and realize what is useful and eliminate what is not.

[@nicki66]

I own a firm that supports organization’s journey to be more inclusive and what they say resonates with me. I firmly believe that while sometimes difficult and subjecting yourselves to people who hold beliefs that trigger you at your core, it is crucial to come at these discussions without judgement to help yourself to understand who the person is and what are the underlying reasons they believe what they believe.

[@devos3212]

Gonna pick up their book today

[@billnickels6667]

Wow. Prescient ideas. Brilliant social observation

[@SparklyCoconut-le3fu]

Great interview

[@jenniferpogue5464]

Smart person and brave to own their own life… A lot smarter than I would have ever thought that movement would produce.

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Nice in interview !....

[@mattlohr]

Just finished this book. It's a hell of a story.

[@arianahoule7223]

This was a very informative and moving interview. Bravo, to this young man for having the courage to speak his truth. I am sure he has helped a lot of people. Sending loving thoughts to everyone.

[@victoriagallop9164]

This young man has a lot of courage

[@wholeshebang1]

You mean, "this young *person."* _They_ said _they_ are exploring _their _*_transgender identity,_* and the last question asked by the host was about the *change* in _their _*_pronouns._* Try to *respect* _their_ choice.

[@LisaLGruman]

Very special interview. Very special to see the transformation in this super articulate, caring person. Thank you for presenting this.

[@Rnankn]

If it isn’t clear to everyone, we’re all African and we’re all transgendered. Trans, is perhaps, the freedom to be as masculine, feminine, or androgynous, as you want. And we’re all African - because all of our ancestors come from Africa. So the distinctions are personally meaningful, but politically immaterial. If rights can be eroded for some people, they can be eroded for anyone.

[@Maliceless100]

EGAD

[@thinkingtoomuch7680]

“If they come for me in the morning, they will come for you in the night.”― Angela Davis

[@sunshinedenney8695]

Yes! If we are truly fighting for equality, it doesn't matter. It only matters to those who insist upon a hierarchy.

[@tonyjones1560]

🎯🎯🎯🎯 A lot of these fascist or “fascist adjacent” types don’t realize that authoritarian regimes are truly pitiless entities. If you’re not at the tippy top of the pile, you’re one wrong word in the right ear from winding up on a list you REALLY don’t want to be on. So happens that I had a college professor who was living in Germany when Hitler came to power. The “thought police” hit the ground running, escalated when the war started and then doubled and tripled down as it became apparent that Germany would lose. At this point, it’s safe to assume that anyone in the USA who is advocating for what amounts to fascism under the guise of “liberty” is either an idiot or has an agenda…

[@cathypreston1095]

Good on you. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Indoctrinating children and vulnerable people seem to learn that (All-or-nothing' thinking, a reluctance to question authority, intense fear of punishment and a lack of empathy for non-believers) You are a brave and kind soul.

[@djack915]

Brave and smart ❤

[@deja5477]

I also recommend their book Rising Out of Hatred.

[@janetpartyka5968]

Good job, Derek!! This is a teachable moment if there ever was one.

[@8ofwands300]

Wish the interviewer had asked about Derek's current family relationships. Especially with parents.

[@batgirlp5561]

In a previous interview he said they were estranged

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

@@batgirlp5561 That is helpful. We are not obliged to remain with toxic relatives.

[@KushiteComplex]

RESPECT!

[@vivalaleta]

People can grow and change their minds but if you are sociopath you don't gain empathy.

[@stevegovea1]

I give major props to him for being able to change from that environment.

[@pauobunyon9791]

No matter what you did or believed anyone can learn and change if the desire is sincere

[@firstghost3038]

The distance between Americans who believe Black Americans deserve Reparations and those who do not is an estimate of the size of the size of racism in America. It's one thing to halt apparent racism and another to fix the damages it caused to the souls of the humans it was inacted upon. If one runs over a person and leaves them in a wheel chair, it's not enough to say "Ok I'm done driving reckless and haven't done it for a long time now"

[@feedtherich11]

This young man knows about all the hate in his family’s heart and all the friends that are hateful. How can you have a moral compass and still love these people?

[@tonyjones1560]

Fair question! My very wild guess is that his feelings related to his family are very complex. That said, in the end his moral compass led him away from them. I wonder if he could safely visit them now, even if he wanted to…

[@susiq1121]

Praise God Education is key. Learning evidence-based material vs rhetoric/identity views is imperative

[@movme]

The mind can and does attach itself to beliefs that somehow capture its attention and focus. And people have a tendency to live their lives according to a mind-game, the game that their mind has created, often through the influence of others, especially in a group with some dedicated cause or purpose. The people who get caught up in such a group mind-game become trapped in it because the mind easily ignores or rejects anything that doesn't fit into the rules of the dominant mind-game. What is missing is the development of heart-quality. Heart-knowing and heart-understanding knows and embraces truth based on evidence, especially heart-acquired evidence that the heart instantly recognized as truth, regardless of what the mind-games being played might be. And this is where the inner voice of guidance comes from - not the mind, but the heart. And this is the spiritual or energetic heart, not just the muscular pump that beats in the chest. The mind and its games can and most often does live in a world of distinctions, differences and separation that embraces black-white, up-down, them-us type categorizations that are unable or unwilling to embrace togetherness, oneness, unity. Diversity may be recognized by the mind, but it is often rejected as bad in some way. The mind has trouble genuinely recognizing and appreciating, let alone embracing, the beauty of diversity that enriches our lives in so many ways. The heart, however, loves the beauties of diversity and fully embraces them for the enrichment they bring us. It is at the superficial level of the acquired aspects of the mind that we are so different. It is only at this mind level of existence where "racism and antisemitism are 'normal' in life." It is only at the level of inherent heart-quality where we are all one, all in this life together, all unified as sacred manifestations of Life. It is only at heart level where racism and antisemitism are entirely abnormal. The mind is not wrong in its recognition of our differences, we are only wrong in allowing ourselves to be dominated by our minds. The true role of the mind (along with the feelings and body and actions) is to function in service to the heart. We are not meant to function in service to our limited minds, we are meant function in service to our hearts - the knowing, understanding and wisdom of our hearts. It is heart level where we can love another, even wile we might disagree with, disapprove of, perhaps even despise what their mind-game compels them to do in the world. Mind level attachment to others, due to a shared mind-game, is not the same as Love. It is from a growing heart-awareness - whether recognize as such or not - that conversions such as R. Derek Black are able to arise. This comes about as a person becomes able to see with the eyes of the heart and hear with the ears of the heart, such that one's thoughts, feelings and actions begin to become manifestations of the heart. The only constant in the Universe is change. We all do continually change. But people who are stuck in their mind-games tend to change by becoming more like they already are, they tend to dig in deeper. People who start shifting into more heart-awareness begin to change can't help but become more open and more expansive in their pattern of changes, which allows them, even compels them, to embracing all and everything that is in ways that the mind is unable to do, except as it starts functioning more in service to the Heart. I'm impressed with the great transformation that young Mr. Black has experienced and which he is so comfortably eloquent in sharing about. I wish him great success and joy in his continuing discoveries of becoming more fully human.

[@ThisGuy76]

TLDR

[@you2angel1]

The bravest of souls can look into the ugliness of from which they came & turn from it °~•.☆.•~° Remarkable people.

[@Donnie-Lee-Gringo]

Good interview with them/her, that I watched and listened to all the way to the end. As I read some of these comments below, I think som people who commented did not listen all the way to the end. R. Derek Black explained that her pronouns are They/She, and that they/she indentifies as Trans. So writing He and Mr and Guy in the comments is not respecting her/their identity.

[@DH-uw3us]

They are confused.

[@hildeschmid8400]

I like how you phrased this. You weren't denigrating the commenters, just giving a gentle reminder. I'm 68, but when I saw the pronouns in the title, I realized to use non-specific pronouns. I wish them all the best, and am planning to buy their book.

[@Donnie-Lee-Gringo]

@@DH-uw3us or possibly you are not open minded enough to let go of your possible confusion ?

[@DH-uw3us]

@@Donnie-Lee-Gringo Rewatch the interview. They even admitted themself that they are confused. Unless this person is a hermaphrodite, they don't have a leg to stand on. They are making this a lot more complicated than it is, but it's very simple.

[@seppo532]

@@DH-uw3us yeah, I bet it’s hard to come out as a transgender woman when you’ve grown up in the Kkk-especially when it’s pretty mainstream to attack transgender women! I bet the nonbinary identity feels like the much safer option. If they identified as a trans woman, the comment section would be full of hatred. If you’re not 100% sure about your identity, that open hostility can really suck.

[@itnaklipse1669]

people's personal choices are not social phenomena - people are individuals and no one's journey is the same.

[@FelisImpurrator]

That opinion is completely detached from reality. People's actions are influenced by their environment.

[@maxpower3036]

Does anyone else find it ironic that his family name is Black? 😛

[@coimbralaw]

Nah only you. Go to the hood and talk sh** to black people. Let us know how they worked out for you, tough guy.

[@pppantz]

Education isn't just school. Experience among people that are different than ourselves is valuable knowledge. I am in rural Colorado now and I see the ignorance that comes with a lack of experiences prevalent. People that do not experience a varied life and remain insulated can convince themselves of anything.

[@TdT2211]

Will the people who escape this be forming a movement in order to help those who are still in this movement? It must be so freeing to figure this out. Will you be able to help others reach your precipice? It would definitely in our social growth.

[@fuzzamajumula]

So happy that you attended college before it was dismantled by devolutionists, Derek. Why are you in London? Are you there for the history? Whatever the reason, please come back to educate people. We really need you, now!

[@robertrapaglia2634]

What a wasted life to spend it full of hatred.

[@user-zc9ce6dd2v]

He’s not talking about fear

[@IMeMineWho]

Eloquent and a deadringer for a you 13:45 ng Donovan. Going to pick up the book.

[@Starfish2145]

He was …not they were.

[@thosethatcan]

Darryl Lamont Jenkins could have a good interview too .

[@Godless_Doc]

Sounds fascinating. I’ll read it. Bet it’s banned in the southern states.

[@jdmmg4904]

❤

[@lkeke35]

The way he talks he sounds like the guy from Goodfellas. Like he grew up in the mob. Everything was so normal and everyone formed loving relationships with each other, and went on vacations, and did regular stuff, but were actually corrupt. Basically, he was indoctrinated into this lifestyle and never really allowed to question it.

[@HarryFlowerrs]

Derek, you’re welcome to come to England, give me a shout you can visit a civilized, multicultural nation at her best!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️

[@thisisit333]

I love visiting my mates, and extended family in England (Harrogate and Blackheath), every other year since 1983. Unfortunately since Brexit, even the UK has had its share of white supremacy issues. The vile rhetoric from so called ‘proud English’ these days (especially online!) is xenophobic, racist and parallels the UKs white power movement from the 1980s. Unfortunately far too many countries are devolving at the moment. I still love England. And most of the places I visit are multicultural, or at the very least, openminded. It’s just heartbreaking to see wonderful places go backwards.

[@zoe_alva86]

15:37 Love to see us come out from obscurity ❤🏳️‍⚧️✨️🫂

[@kimsteinke713]

Thank you God bless you if there is a God 💗 and bless you if there is. 🏳️‍🌈 I was very old coming out of the closets out and stages over my life but I always knew from the time I was six I was born with a girl body but I had a boy brain and all the characteristics of boys on the inside but I never wanted to change my outside. Cuz I think I'm pretty. 😊 Now I'm proud to be a gay person. I'm just proud to be part of the LGBT cuz it's like black people they led This revolution of freedom I remember when I was a little child watching the riots on TV and I thought if they don't like that black man there's you're not going to like me. And so I just studied everything black people that ever done and thank God I did cuz they've taught me the way. Take you to all my African American and black and brown brothers and sisters I'm a white person by the way. And my racist white family has shunned me for most of my life and it breaks my heart and I say, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. 🏳️‍🌈🙏😇💙 Vote vote for democracy Democrats when the Republicans return to sanity we can go back to our selected parties. Thank you for listening and sharing.

[@hildeschmid8400]

It breaks my heart for you that your family is estranged from you. I know someone who's daughter is a lesbian; her parents love and embrace her, and were there for her gay friends whose parents turned their backs on them. When her dad told us about her he said, "What are you gonna do?" I said, "Love her?" He said, "Damn right, and I do!"

[@somegenerichandle]

Funny how they skipped over the white supremist podcast he hosted in college.

[@fr57ujf]

Sadly this is an exception to the rule that belonging pretty much determines where your politics lie.

[@cooperhough7583]

Thank you for sharing about your relationship with gender, it felt like a big interview ask and made me teary

[@MarjaMariachi]

It's so gross, racism. I know so many interesting, great people -- people that do things and come from places I've never seen... and it's so cool! It would absolutely suck to miss out on a great friendship, because their skin tone doesn't match a damn paint swatch.

[@caseybirgitta-skoog5532]

In Eli Salsow’s book, Rising Out Of Hatred, it was noted that both being ostracized by certain students and being called in and included by others that helped R. Derek Black come to a change in perspective. I can’t ask in person or by any other means to Black; Is this the same position at the end of this interview or has it shifted a little? I’ll be looking for a copy of the new book by Black.

[@caseybirgitta-skoog5532]

*Saslow