Walter Williams: Up From the Projects

In 1981, Secretary of Health Education and Welfare Patricia Harris wrote in the Washington Post that libertarian economists Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell are "middle class" so they "don't know what it is to be poor."
In fact, Williams grew up in a single-parent household in a poor section of Philadelphia. He was raised by his mother, who was a high school dropout. The family spent time on welfare, and eventually moved into the Richard Allen public housing project. (Sowell, whose father died before he was born, was the son of a maid.)
Drafted into the peacetime Army, Williams eventually earned a PhD from UCLA in the late 1960s and quickly became a sought-after researcher and public intellectual. His best known book, 1982's The State Against Blacks, argues that a major cause of black unemployment is government intervention in the labor market.
Williams' contrarian views have had wide exposure through documentaries, public appearances, and for the past 30 years, a syndicated weekly column. Since 1992, Williams has also been a frequent guest host of Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Now a professor emeritus at George Mason University, Williams has taught at Temple University, California State University-Los Angeles, and other universities. (Go here for his personal web page.)
His new book, Up from the Projects: An Autobiography, is a fascinating look at his childhood, his half-century-long marriage to his recently departed wife, his unusual career path, and the genesis of his views on race, economics, and politics.
Throughout his career, Williams has used his own life to illustrate how government regulations often work to deny opportunities to poor blacks, and his memoir is no exception. For example, Williams recounts that when he was a teenager, he was fired from a great job at a hat factory when a fellow employee complained to the Department of Labor that his boss was violating child labor laws.
Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie recently sat down with Williams to talk about his life, how his experiences have informed his scholarship, his lead role in turning George Mason University into a center for libertarian scholarship, and whether the Obama presidency has improved the lives of blacks in the United States.
Williams is also an emeritus trustee of the Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that produces Reason.tv.
For more on Williams' new memoir, check out Damon Root's review (reason.com/archives/2011/01/28..., which calls the book "a revealing and sometimes hilarious account of his rise from Philadelphia's Richard Allen housing projects, where his neighbors included a young Bill Cosby, to 'brown bag' lunches at the White House where he gave advice to President Ronald Reagan and his staff."
Produced, shot, and edited by Jim Epstein. Additional camera: Joshua Swain.
Approximately 30 minutes.
Go to Reason.tv for HD, ipod, and audio versions, and subscribe to Reason.tv's You Tube Channel to receive automatic notifications when new material goes live.

[@xxcorrosive]

RIP Walter Williams. Your words will never be forgotten.

[@BryceBro3]

Sadly, I think most already have.:(

[@acajudi100]

His Mom lived to be over 100. She outlived him. One man Mom was 13 when he was bon named Brown, and now he is a billionaire.

[@JCMasterCraftsman]

Indeed we will miss you Walter Williams (rip December 2, 2020). When I hosted the showing of his documentary “State Against Blacks” at Kenyon college in 1985, most of the otherwise highly educated liberal arts majors had never even heard these basic libertarian economic arguments. In fact most of the attendees believed that the documentary was the usual fare of grievances. His very different perspective was refreshing in the intellectual debate.

[@rainmbt3855]

Legend

[@packrat76]

I didn't know he passed. Probably a mere footnote in the news like Herman Cain.

[@Will-pz3cz]

Rest in peace, Dr. Williams. You were such an inspiration to millions!

[@randy109]

When my Dad died at age 31 in 1967 he had been self-employed (with NO Insurance of any type). My Mom was only 28yo and a "housewife" with no job. We NEVER got any form of Welfare, Housing, Food Stamps and other nonsense. She found a Job and Life Went On. It was Pride and Dignity that got us through. Both my Sisters and I got multiple College degrees and made it solidly into the Middle Class. Welfare keeps people down. We were dirt poor but never gave it a thought. As a kid, I didn't even realize we were "poor" until I had a family of my own and looked back on my Life. In the USA, at least, anyone can make it IF they are willing to put in the effort and not fear School or Work. A "victim" will remain in a prison of their own design...

[@acajudi100]

Social Security from your late dad and widows until 16, and you until 18.

[@shalahuddinsuryobaskoro9790]

Well said, and congratulation!

[@MrAceman82]

acajudi100: I hate when many people mix welfare and social security. His father paid for social security, that is not welfare. Even with social security, the mother never relied on any kind of welfare, only to strong work ethics and willing to care own family.

[@stephenmwyatt2]

basic survival is incredibly easy

[@Jekyll_Island_Creatures]

@@acajudi100 That money was stolen from his dad's paycheck every week.

[@michaellovetere8033]

Recently passed away..Rest in peace, Walter....Such a great mind..A sad loss for America

[@ChinoBatchatero]

Economists like him should be president.

[@MrDanielfff777]

Why are they not? You never get economist or even Dr be potus

[@DB-115]

@@MrDanielfff777 because they tell you the harsh truth & truth speakers/revealers aren't popular amongst the public.

[@GoldberryIsland]

If there was a true effort toward equality and betterment for all someone like him would be president. Instead of the rusty guy in office today.

[@Thatguy5427]

I wish he could have been our first black president.

[@breebw]

He cannot be a president. He appears to be ethical.

[@keepyouright6157]

Breen Whitman lol

[@BlackBlondeMedia]

Thatguy5427 We haven't had a "first black president" - yet.

[@acajudi100]

He knows the strings on politicians from top to bottom.

[@Gretchaninov]

He could still be the second one. And the first *good* black president.

[@ttraderjim]

What a load of common sense and reason... Bravo!

[@Sylista84]

Rip Mr. Williams December 2, 2020. You will be sorely missed.

[@100marymich]

Walter Williams is one of the greatest and wisest mentors that I truly honor and hold dear.

[@herveblanche226]

A great man. A great teacher. One of the best examples of a human being and an American I have ever had the pleasure to hear.

[@kennyhalperin5302]

This man should have been President instead of the one before last. What a brilliant and sincere man he was👑💔👑🇺🇸👍

[@nachannachle2706]

Amazing clarity. The man has spent his life living and thinking through his ideas. Hats off to such commitment and integrity.

[@lindabarron2181]

Perfectly said

[@lindabarron2181]

What an absolute treasure the world has lost. How right he was.

[@tsummerlee]

I just adore Walter Williams. Thank you so much for this wonderful interview.

[@scutfargus]

Take away the automatic loans given to any student who wants it, and enrollment rates would drop just long enough for nearly every college in the country to lower its tuition. A college with half the students it is used to cannot survive. So, they enter into the market place and compete for students.

[@b1ueocean]

Or it would compel the government to print money in order to educate the next generation instead of redirecting such dubious resources (inflationary monopoly bills) to the ‘killing fields’ of coveted nations worldwide.

[@Fernandojify]

Dr. Williams is not only a great teacher of economics, but a great philosophy of life. It's a great example of overcoming that should guide all over the world.

[@LuisOrtiz-xo5kc]

"The intentions are irrelevant to the effects." -Walter E. Williams.

[@leafwatch]

Thank you Professor Williams, for your honesty and clarity of thought in the realm of politics as well as economics.

[@GunnTop]

A great and consequential scholar. R.I.P.

[@bradr1913]

Exactly Wendell not quiencentdental.

[@adelleblackman382]

He is a good reason to become Libertarian. I am hoping he will come to the state convention and the national convention.

[@MixtapeKilla2004]

I agree.

[@jackwyatt1218]

The LP national was compromised when they brought Barr/Root on board for some votes. End of the "party of principle" and my involvement.

[@gracilism]

Walter E Williams is one of America's greatest minds. Thanks for the interview.

[@richsexton11]

A great intellect and a great American !

[@PathfinderHistoryTravel]

Is it possible for Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell’s legacy to continue? Where is the young generation to carry the torch?

[@LS-td3no]

People like Jason Riley, Coleman Hughes, and others. Check out the "1776 unity" project. The antidote to PC mind numbing, BLM mantras.

[@adulby]

Walter Williams, Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell, Ron Paul...my heroes.

[@scutfargus]

This is such an excellent interview, from both sides. The interviewer asks probing and real questions; questions that the normal person would have difficulty responding quickly to. FoxNews ought to snap up this interviewer.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

I doubt Nick Gillespie would go to Fox.

[@SadRahne]

Uncommon Knowledge on the Hillsdale college YT channel. Interviewer Peter Robinson is *the best* interviewer I've ever heard.

[@TheKaffeeKlatsch]

I love the story of Walter Williams.... anyone can make it.

[@everyonedeservestogohome2949]

TheKaffeeKlatsch missed the entire ..,...are you even listening? He “made” it out but his life work is to make ppl aware of the faulty economic structure and what it is, does to blacks

[@mallorysmith8610]

Andrea Mendenhall thats what alot of people dont understand. The message he is portraying is exactly what you said and its true.

[@melissavancl_2090]

I have learned so much from this brilliant man.

[@keilahmichalspann8883]

I love this man and Thomas Sowell. I wish they would have taught us economics and about these men in grade school.

[@capnkirk933]

Two of the greatest economic scholars of our time.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

I have enormous admiration for Prof. Williams. To be black and conservative -- in public -- takes guts.

[@xit1254]

Absolutely brilliant man. His take on the future, starting at 26:00 is sobering.

[@burleybater]

Yeah quite the prescient prophesy.

[@lindabarron2181]

We are living it now

[@carlaldrich3931]

Love this guy....great at real world examples of real and sound economic principles.

[@buzzy1060]

I would name my first born son after this man.

[@David53D]

What Uncle Tom? Just kidding.

[@michawill6599]

Wish I had

[@kingdom2472]

My grandfather was named Walter. He died when my Dad was about 3.

[@dallasmore6703]

Love this guys mind, thoughts, ideas!

[@annakortukov2845]

What a treasure of a man! From my experience economists have way healthier perspective on the society issues than politicians/activists.

[@monmon0518]

Thank you, ReasonTV for conducting this interview and uploading in it's long form.

[@jeffdkillman]

RIP to one of the greatest defenders of the ideas of liberty and the spirit of our founding.

[@rkecseg84]

one of the greatest thinkers of our time. it will be a sad day when he is here no more

[@purplewolf8211]

What a fantastic and entertaining interview. Just a couple of articulate Ph.D.'s sitting around, shooting the shit about libertarian ideals and Austrian economics. Great stuff.

[@MrAceman82]

Are you PhD? Do you understand the economics? Did you live in socialistic country?

[@svd348]

Great man and a great interview.

[@capoman1]

75??? I hope we can all be so lucky as Walter; to be so healthy at 75.

[@SaneLiesbuster]

The magic of liberty!

[@scutfargus]

And, as he would tell you himself, "And so good looking."

[@juanitadudley4788]

The most amazing part is his mind. He's still sharp!

[@DanteTaviantzghfgh]

Never meet the man before but learned so much from him and have been inspired by him he has had a huge impact on my life. In tears right now. May God have mercy on your soul Dr. Williams Godbless man your legacy and spit lives on.

[@davidmurray6070]

Brilliant man with views that provide the 'solution' to improving the living standards for the black community. Sadly, there continues to be no political will to make the tough decision that are needed.

[@bkip20002]

I've read/seen/heard most of this in the past... and still can't get enough of this man.

[@huttwigley]

Great interview! Great questions! Thanks for posting this!

[@oconeebells]

Walter Williams, I love you and have made sure my grands and friends KNOW YOUR NAME and contributions. I admire, respect and celebrate you.

[@taleoftwobirds7155]

R.I.P. Dr. Williams, you're already missed

[@elvisfan22]

This is the best ReasonTv interview yet!!! So MUCH enlightenment!

[@Bouchon211]

Walter Williams is awesome, but lets not get carried away here.

[@brianlieberth]

I agree that a pell grant can and does change lives. that being said to say that without the pell grant no poor person would go to college is a fallacy.. Before government got involved in 'big education' poor people could and did go to college. They worked, they borrowed money etc. Once of the prime reasons college is so expensive is because of government involvement in financing. Every time they get involved with something it skews the natural market and causes unintended consequences

[@Car1Sagan]

Wow, the pessimistic but realistic ending of this interview in 2011, reinforced by 2020 & beyond. The late-great Dr Walter E Williams' words were prophetic of the USA today. Time to abandon ship.

[@rainbosprinkles6548]

This interviews rings truer today than ever before.

[@chief1b]

I am just seeing this now and he was right.

[@erikasmith4427]

He was a BRILLIANT MIND! A loss not only for the black community, but to all Americans. I wish we had more people like that in our decaying society. Unfortunately, I don't think will have more people like him in the future, and that's why America will fall. We are already being trained to act like sheeple, and to not think for ourselves. The future seems very bleak to me.

[@MRSketch09]

That was an awesome interview. He's a pretty intelligent individual.

[@bradr1913]

Wow what a great guy. I grew up in the projects. Spent 35 years in the energy utility Company. I got degrees. Thanks mr. williams for telling my story.

[@kmg501]

I wish I had the mind that Walter Williams does, what an exceptionally clear thinker he is. I always learn something of importance from him. Towards the end of the interview he is open about some very scary aspects in terms of being ready to leave a failing country. This is a subject that has been on my mind for the last few years... Thanks for the interview Mr Gillespie. I also appreciate that you asked a number of hard questions that honest libertarians must be able to confront... -

[@In0god0we0trust]

The world is wiser and better for having known you Dr. Williams. Godspeed, Brother.

[@nustada]

" If workers can't even pay their bills because of low wages how are they going to work their way through college" Savings. Charity. Grants. But that is a crappy excuse, you can make much more than minimum with just lawnmower and basic garden tools.

[@Daniel44125]

Wonderful interview. Seriously great. One of the best.

[@SKINWALKER]

| To not have this man on mainstream media is absolute criminal!!!

[@MagicMarker447]

Walter Williams is one of the best economists of our time. RIP.

[@Vorpal_Wit]

Numbered among my heroes, is Walter E. Williams, and not many ahead of him.

[@a2z254]

Great interviewer. He actually asked a lot of questions I wanted to ask Dr. Williams.

[@annettecls]

So glad I subscribed to ReasonTV yesterday! Until today, I'd never heard of Walter Williams.

[@entervalhalla8484]

You're not alone. Subscribed a couple of weeks ago and only getting to know Walter today. But I'm moved, I love the way he thinks and I agree with him on what he said in the interview...

[@dsvet]

RIP Professor Williams. We will miss you.

[@randyenderle508]

I love how he thinks!

[@landoctor94]

I like this guy.

[@audreyann1975]

I'm at 7 11 drinking my coffee ☕ and just hanging out in front with my headphones 🎧 and Walter Williams videos. I've learned so much about politics and economics in black communities from just watching 👀 his videos

[@JeffAtkins]

Need more great men like Mr Williams

[@Gearhe1d]

You are a hero Mr. Williams! Keep doing what you're doing because America needs your wisdom right now!

[@symunir9022]

Fantastic intro. Thank you very much for adding it. Regards.

[@jacquelinerogers2997]

I wish I had heard of this man earlier; simply brilliant. I don't understand Black conservatives as to why would you want to conserve government sanctioned welfare but this man (for the most part) I get

[@LS-td3no]

Sowell makes a similar point. After welfare came in, the black faamily went on destructive mode. More men left because the women could be supported by the Gov't. So, they are against welfare.

[@kellykempkilroy]

What a wonderful gentleman. Well done sir. 🙏

[@Kurtlane]

He was born in 1936. His father left him when he was very young, and his family moved to a housing project when he was 10 (i.e. in 1946). I though such things didn't happen before Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society." Interesting. "When I was choosing a wife to marry, I didn't give every woman an equal opportunity." That's excellent.

[@hatborojerry]

I lived a half a block away,I am White and spent the first 17 years living in the ghetto of Philly.I must of been considered a home boy,never had any problems with the people around me.In my block there were 4 white families,when we went to the movies,around the corner on Fairmount avenue,my brother and I were the only white faces in the theater 99% of the time,never a problem.Of, course this was the 30 's thru 1951.Never a problem,today is a different time.For all I know ,I probably saw Mr.Williams many times.I have admired him for many years,one of the three great economists in America

[@FootballRob2010]

This is a real good interview. Rest in peace professor

[@Octaviamorris77]

I would have been so honored to have him as a father.

[@vjaywdamery]

would love to have a cigar and conversation with you Walter. logic is so rare these days. warms my heart

[@Uberkamper]

Thank you for posting

[@judoskeleton]

Great interview.

[@honprelude]

Rest in Peace Walter. Also, those sideburns Nick, damn.

[@LazyNinjaTv]

I could listen to Walter Williams for hours...RIP.

[@1isaM111er]

Amen Walter Williams. RIP.

[@Nexus974]

Brilliant and fearless!! Williams is the MAN!

[@kylewatson5133]

"What did it mean to be poor" It means you didn't eat. Fucking GREAT RESPONSE.

[@spamsponge]

That book cover for "The State Against Blacks" is awesome! Also, great interview.

[@mr.c3928]

Solid interview of an independent thinker, thanks!

[@skysurfer]

Rest in peace, sir. Your words and your warnings will not be forgotten.

[@boobooboo9269]

RIP Walter Williams, a great loss for this country that now needs intelligent, informed and straight up people like him more than ever before.

[@lm3049]

RIP Dr. Williams. We miss you already :-(

[@LeGioNoFZioN]

thanks for sharing Reason, I'm a big fan of Williams.

[@deepvoodoo]

Rockin' intro!

[@danielnielsen1417]

This Walter Williams was a great great man and we will miss him greatly. Dan

[@jimisback]

Thank you for letting me know about Mr. Williams. I would like to have a beer with him.

[@gregsalisbury1512]

God bless this man!

[@daemonvelaryon5617]

This man knows his stuff.

[@inquisitive871]

I don't know about Walter Williams, but Thomas Sowell is a libertarian. Not many conservatives are against the war on drugs. Sowell has been a vocal critic of the drug war for decades.

[@JaredJack91]

inquisitive871 the problem with "libritarians" is they focus on drugs instead of the bigger picture which is larger government.

[@artemiasalina1860]

Jared Jackson The trouble with "conservatives" is that they're all a bunch of war-mongering religious freaks. Is that accurate?

[@wavymcfly]

RIP WW

[@mangoswiss]

Bang! Bang! Bang! Reason just keeps creating great videos. As a UK cousin from across the pond, I hope Walter is wrong about the future of the US. Perhaps the internet will be the catalyst for a nation to remain free.

[@LS-td3no]

Well, unfortunately it doesn't look so good. But we still have great people fighting the good fight. We shall see.

[@joseguilarte87]

I love this man.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Another great Reason video! Thanks! I've been a fan of Walter Williams for a long time. If you liked this video, check out the other Walter Williams videos on KZbin. Good stuff!