Foreword / James W. Loewen  xv

Preface  xxxi

Acknowledgments  xxxv

Introduction: Just Living  1

Movement Elders  

Herbert Aptheker, 86, radical historian; San Jose, CA  17

Stetson Kennedy, 85, journalist and Klan infiltrator; Jacksonville, FL  27

Art Branscombe, 81, fought for a racially integrated neighborhood; Denver, CO  37

Horace Seldon, 77, coalition builder; Boston, MA  44

Pat Cusick, 70, community organizer; Boston, MA  51

Nat Yalowitz, 70, social worker and organizer; New York, NY  60

Grassroots Organizing  

Jesse Wimberley, 43, organizes working-class white men; West End, NC  73

Jim Hansen, 42, executive director, United Vision for Idaho; Boise, ID  82

Chip Berlet, 52, researches right wing groups; Cambridge, MA  90

Joe Fahey, 44, union official and labor organizer; Watsonville, CA  99

Mike McMahon, 60, community organizer with Central American immigrants; Houston, TX  109

Art and Politics  

David Attyah, 34, graphic artist and founder of Think Again; San Francisco, CA  121

Si Kahn, 57, singer/songwriter and executive director of Grassroots Leadership; Charlotte, NC  132

Steve Bailey, 43, executive director of Jump-Start Performance Company; San Antonio, TX  143

Tim Wise, 33, writer, lecturer, social critic, and activist; Nashville, TN  152

Billy Yalowitz, 42, community-based performance director and choreographer; Philadelphia, PA  164

Challenging the System from Within  

John Allocca, 39, bilingual Spanish teacher; Boston, MA  175

Bill Johnston, 60, former Boston police officer; Emerald Isle, NC  185

A. T. Miller, 43, teacher and director of multiculturalism at University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI  194

Ken Kimerling, 56, lawyer for Puerto Rican and Asian American civil rights; New York, NY  203

Monte Piliawsky, 57, teacher and historian; Detroit, MI  212

Lonnie Lusardo, 56, consultant and community organizer; Seattle, WA  222

Lee Formwalt, 51, historian and dean at a historically black college; Albany, GA  228

Nibs Stroupe, 55, minister of a multiracial congregation; Decatur, GA  237

Challenging the System from the Margins  

John Cole Vodicka, 53, founder of the Prison and Jail Project; Americus, GA  249

Richard Lapchick, 56, advocate for racial and gender justice in sports and society; Orlando FL  258

Chris Shuey, 46, environmental health specialist; Albuquerque, NM  265

Terry Kupers, 58, psychiatrist, prison activist, and author; Oakland, CA  272

Rick Whaley, 51, Native American treaty rights advocate; Milwaukee, WI  280

Jim Murphy, 54, firefighter and advocate for children's rights in Southeast Asia; Boston, MA  289

The Next Generation  

Sean Cahill, 38, researcher with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; New York, NY   299

Tobin Miller Shearer, 36, director of a Mennonite anti-racism initiative; Akron, PA  305

Jason Wallach, 32, grassroots coordinator for the Mexico Solidarity Network; Chicago, IL  314

Bill Vandenberg, 31, co-executive director of the Colorado Progressive Coalition; Denver, CO  322

Matt Reese, 26, community activist; Louisville, KY  330

Appendix  339

Endnotes  343

Suggestions for Further Reading  351

About the Authors  355

James W. Loewen

"[R]eaders will surely walk away with a fuller understanding of the history of antiracism, a better sense of how and why individual white men have challenged the system, and likely find themselves moved to act differently in their lives. . . . [White Men Challenging Racism] deserve[s] wide circulation, meriting attention from scholars concerned with whiteness, ethnic identity and race relations, as well as those thinking about cultural politics, youth culture, social movements, and gender in the contemporary United States. . . . instructors of introductory courses would be well advised to consider excerpts from White Men Challenging Racism precisely because they are readable reflections on whiteness and all that it entails, but arguably more importantly because it offers concrete and inspiring examples of individuals working against the privilege and oppression central to the United States as a white-centered, white-focused, and white-dominated society."
—C. Richard King, American Studies International

"[These] narratives form a powerful counterpoint to the trend toward 'colorblindness' that often signifies white indifference to the plight of minorities. . . . Readers interested in different perspectives on social justice will enjoy this collection."—Vernon Ford, Booklist

"[I]nspiring and challenging. . . . [T]o its credit, the book seeks to build bridges between groupings-white and black, gay and straight, old and young-by offering role models of men of various ages and from multiple geographic regions, with different politics and levels of commitment, all engaged in living and working for a more just nation."—Robert Fisher, Journal of Southern History

"[T]his book provides role models of white people who have rejected the racial hierarchy of their society and fought for a more humane vision."—Sage Race Relation Abstracts

"The editors are sensitive to the charge that their singular focus on white men is misguided, but in their view, this is a project that links the personal and the political in a way that others might find comfort in and take inspiration from. This reviewer thinks they're right. Recommended." —P. Kivisto, Choice

"I make it a point to honor African-Americans who fight on the front lines of the struggle, but it's also important to recognize that some white people challenge racism all the time, even if their voices often get drowned out by all the angry white males who still resist racial change. It's good to see those people recognized with a book such as White men Challenging Racism so their voices can also be heard."—Eugene Kane, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Co-authors Cooper Thompson, Emmett Schaefer, and Harry Brod
go about their project in time-honored oral history fashion, providing Studs-Terkel style oral portraits of thirty-five men. The results showcase many of oral history’s strengths, presenting a range and depth and nuance that makes clear not only the extent to which racial privilege is woven into American society, but the variety of endeavors required to
combat it and the profound humanity of those who fight these battles."—Pamela Grundy, Oral History Review

"These self-portraits speak of courage, empowerment, and overcoming the obstacles in joining collective action. . . .So, what do we do with these stories of valor, resolve, and dignity? We can use them as classroom material to illustrate that politics in America is not just about "stupid or angry white men." Undergraduate students are likely to appreciate that insight."—Javier Auyero, Contemporary Sociology

"[U]nique. . . . [The] vivid and emotional personal accounts . . . make this book so valuable for anyone interested in race relations. . . . [T]hought-provoking. . . . [A] great book that is not only informative and interesting to read, but uplifting and very personal in nature."—Jacob Arndt, Journal of Intergroup Relations

"There is a great deal of fascinating material gathered here, and the interviews are frequently moving without being self-congratulatory or smug. . . . As a teaching tool this book has a value that goes beyond its mission as an uplifting read. The introduction offers an important discussion of methodology, useful to all ethnographers and oral historians working on racialization."—Vron Ware, Ethnic and Racial Studies

"In addition to trying to come to terms with their race and gender, these men address issues about their sexuality, religion, economic situations, families, relationships, parenting, jobs, and past traumas. The book succeeds because it soberly presents the victories, risks, and personal sacrifices of men who do antiracist work."—Loren Frankel, Journal of Men’s Studies

"[R]eaders will surely walk away with a fuller understanding of the history of antiracism, a better sense of how and why individual white men have challenged the system, and likely find themselves moved to act differently in their lives. . . . [White Men Challenging Racism] deserve[s] wide circulation, meriting attention from scholars concerned with whiteness, ethnic identity and race relations, as well as those thinking about cultural politics, youth culture, social movements, and gender in the contemporary United States. . . . instructors of introductory courses would be well advised to consider excerpts from White Men Challenging Racism precisely because they are readable reflections on whiteness and all that it entails, but arguably more importantly because it offers concrete and inspiring examples of individuals working against the privilege and oppression central to the United States as a white-centered, white-focused, and white-dominated society."
—C. Richard King, American Studies International

"[These] narratives form a powerful counterpoint to the trend toward 'colorblindness' that often signifies white indifference to the plight of minorities. . . . Readers interested in different perspectives on social justice will enjoy this collection."—Vernon Ford, Booklist

"[I]nspiring and challenging. . . . [T]o its credit, the book seeks to build bridges between groupings-white and black, gay and straight, old and young-by offering role models of men of various ages and from multiple geographic regions, with different politics and levels of commitment, all engaged in living and working for a more just nation."—Robert Fisher, Journal of Southern History

"[T]his book provides role models of white people who have rejected the racial hierarchy of their society and fought for a more humane vision."—Sage Race Relation Abstracts

"The editors are sensitive to the charge that their singular focus on white men is misguided, but in their view, this is a project that links the personal and the political in a way that others might find comfort in and take inspiration from. This reviewer thinks they're right. Recommended." —P. Kivisto, Choice

"I make it a point to honor African-Americans who fight on the front lines of the struggle, but it's also important to recognize that some white people challenge racism all the time, even if their voices often get drowned out by all the angry white males who still resist racial change. It's good to see those people recognized with a book such as White men Challenging Racism so their voices can also be heard."—Eugene Kane, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Co-authors Cooper Thompson, Emmett Schaefer, and Harry Brod
go about their project in time-honored oral history fashion, providing Studs-Terkel style oral portraits of thirty-five men. The results showcase many of oral history’s strengths, presenting a range and depth and nuance that makes clear not only the extent to which racial privilege is woven into American society, but the variety of endeavors required to
combat it and the profound humanity of those who fight these battles."—Pamela Grundy, Oral History Review

"These self-portraits speak of courage, empowerment, and overcoming the obstacles in joining collective action. . . .So, what do we do with these stories of valor, resolve, and dignity? We can use them as classroom material to illustrate that politics in America is not just about "stupid or angry white men." Undergraduate students are likely to appreciate that insight."—Javier Auyero, Contemporary Sociology

"[U]nique. . . . [The] vivid and emotional personal accounts . . . make this book so valuable for anyone interested in race relations. . . . [T]hought-provoking. . . . [A] great book that is not only informative and interesting to read, but uplifting and very personal in nature."—Jacob Arndt, Journal of Intergroup Relations

"There is a great deal of fascinating material gathered here, and the interviews are frequently moving without being self-congratulatory or smug. . . . As a teaching tool this book has a value that goes beyond its mission as an uplifting read. The introduction offers an important discussion of methodology, useful to all ethnographers and oral historians working on racialization."—Vron Ware, Ethnic and Racial Studies

"In addition to trying to come to terms with their race and gender, these men address issues about their sexuality, religion, economic situations, families, relationships, parenting, jobs, and past traumas. The book succeeds because it soberly presents the victories, risks, and personal sacrifices of men who do antiracist work."—Loren Frankel, Journal of Men’s Studies

“It is inspiring to read about white men who are working on the complex task of eliminating racism. In these times of backlash against civil rights gains of the past, we need more fighters like these. Yesterday's movement was truly interracial and today's must be as well.”—Julian Bond, Chair, NAACP, and Professor of History, University of Virginia and American University

”With range, depth, and integrity, the narratives in this collection flesh out both the ‘promise and the way of life’ of white people who have taken on racism as central to their life work. White Men Challenging Racism is a valuable contradiction to the construct of ‘angry white men’ that has fueled racial backlash over the past twenty years.”—Mab Segrest, author of Memoirs of a Race Traitor

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