What People Say...
“Bill Drake offers an important perspective from someone who grew up in a world poisoned by racism but learned to see others in a more tolerant light.Almost Hereditary has a significant moral: we should all make a greater effort to second-guess our judgments of others, and to think about where those judgments originated.”
~Benjamin Todd Jealous, former President and CEO of the NAACP
“Bill Drake’s exceptionally well written narrative . . . is an excellent examination of one person’s successful journey to break free from racist socialization messages passed down through his family. . . . While painful at times to read, this book and the story it conveys can serve as a catalyst for how social change is possible. . . . Bill offers insightful discussion questions and activities for classrooms and workshops to examine white privilege and the reduction of racial and other stereotypes. Almost Hereditary . . . would be an excellent complementary reading for both undergraduate and graduate courses in race and ethnic relations, conflict resolution, and social inequality.”
~Jeffrey G. Toussaint, PhD., Dept. of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University
“Bill Drake’s articulate and well written book testifies to the capacity to break free from our assumed identities. His story of conditioned, privileged, white-skinned identity begins with his ancestors and their firm dogma of superiority, takes us with him on his recognition of the horrible consequences of his family’s and his region’s bias, and finally invites us to recognize whatever residue of racism lives within us. His story invites us to be willing, as he has been willing, to investigate the personal and collective suffering caused by both conscious and subconscious acceptance of different values for different races. I salute his redemption, and I embrace the lasting value of his awakening.”
~Gangaji, author of Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2011) and spiritual teacher
“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, author of The Adventures of High John the Conqueror(Orchard Books 1986, August House 1995) and A Natural Man: The True Story of John Henry (Godine, 1986), Civil Rights activist and one of the first Freedom Riders (in 1961)
“Bill Drake offers us some very valuable resources for our nation’s still-to-be-completed transformation of its racist past and present, particularly in his honest account of some 180 years of his family’s history–from being slave owners in the 1830s to Bill’s own effort to confront and transform his racist conditioning in the last 50 years. He shares generously his own journey, with honesty, compassion, and insight, and offers a number of perspectives and tools for those who would share his journey to uproot racism.”
~Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., author of The Engaged Spiritual Life (Beacon Press, 2006) and teacher of Insight Meditation and engaged spirituality at Spirit Rock in northern California
“Bill Drake’s story is an inspiration to our students and staff and lends hope and promise to a situation that can often feel despairing. His journey as a human being is a story that needed to be told, and I am glad it has been captured in this book. Almost Hereditary would be a valuable complement to appropriate high school and college courses.”
~Dan Frisella, Principal, NevadaUnionHigh School, Grass Valley, CA
“Bill Drake writes with a disarming humility that guides the reader into a real yet non-judgmental conversation about the nature of prejudice. . . . With support from his book I have found a greater courage to examine the prejudice that lives in me.”
~Rob Steffke, youth therapist and mentor, Movimiento (www.movimagine.org)
“Almost Hereditary [includes] an excellent historical survey of the problem of slavery in the South.”
~Bill Ellis, author of Paradigm Shift, “Teaching Tolerance and Acceptance,”www.timescall.com, June 5, 2014
“Beginning with the powerful story of one man’s healing from racism, Almost Hereditary offers many inspiring tools to help others do the same. Thank you to Bill Drake for the courage and commitment woven into this book.”
~Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program (Workman Publishing Company, 2010), Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society
“Bill Drake courageously and honestly addresses the racist conditioning he received from his family, as well as from social institutions. His commitment to freeing himself from the impact of racism and the thoughtful and intelligent guidance he offers in this accessible and well constructed book provides a model for healing that is possible for everyone to follow.”
~Ann Todd Jealous & Caroline Haskell, authors of Combined Destinies: Whites Sharing Grief About Racism (Potomac Books, 2013)
“Bill Drake has more reason than most white southerners to be racist. His ancestors owned slaves and his parents passed along their bigotry like an infection. Drake worked for much of his adult life to overcome his conditioned racism. . . . Almost Hereditary describes the journey and offers valuable lessons in how to undo the bondage of prejudice.”
~Norma Watkins, author of The Last Resort: Taking the Mississippi Cure(University Press of Mississippi, 2011), professor emerita at Miami Dade College (Miami, FL), creative writing professor at College of the Redwoods (Ft. Bragg, CA)
“A valuable, heartfelt reflection by a descendant of a Confederate officer.”
~Curtis Wilkie, author of Dixie (Scribner, 2002); Cook Chair and Associate Professor of Journalism, Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, University of Mississippi
“Almost Hereditary is a strong personal account of a descendant of slave owners’ difficult path from racial prejudice and white privilege to his rejection of racism, reclamation of his humanity, and current work for racial justice.”
~Paul Kivel, author of Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice (New Society Publisher, 2011), www.paulkivel.com
~Benjamin Todd Jealous, former President and CEO of the NAACP
“Bill Drake’s exceptionally well written narrative . . . is an excellent examination of one person’s successful journey to break free from racist socialization messages passed down through his family. . . . While painful at times to read, this book and the story it conveys can serve as a catalyst for how social change is possible. . . . Bill offers insightful discussion questions and activities for classrooms and workshops to examine white privilege and the reduction of racial and other stereotypes. Almost Hereditary . . . would be an excellent complementary reading for both undergraduate and graduate courses in race and ethnic relations, conflict resolution, and social inequality.”
~Jeffrey G. Toussaint, PhD., Dept. of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University
“Bill Drake’s articulate and well written book testifies to the capacity to break free from our assumed identities. His story of conditioned, privileged, white-skinned identity begins with his ancestors and their firm dogma of superiority, takes us with him on his recognition of the horrible consequences of his family’s and his region’s bias, and finally invites us to recognize whatever residue of racism lives within us. His story invites us to be willing, as he has been willing, to investigate the personal and collective suffering caused by both conscious and subconscious acceptance of different values for different races. I salute his redemption, and I embrace the lasting value of his awakening.”
~Gangaji, author of Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2011) and spiritual teacher
“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, author of The Adventures of High John the Conqueror(Orchard Books 1986, August House 1995) and A Natural Man: The True Story of John Henry (Godine, 1986), Civil Rights activist and one of the first Freedom Riders (in 1961)
“Bill Drake offers us some very valuable resources for our nation’s still-to-be-completed transformation of its racist past and present, particularly in his honest account of some 180 years of his family’s history–from being slave owners in the 1830s to Bill’s own effort to confront and transform his racist conditioning in the last 50 years. He shares generously his own journey, with honesty, compassion, and insight, and offers a number of perspectives and tools for those who would share his journey to uproot racism.”
~Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., author of The Engaged Spiritual Life (Beacon Press, 2006) and teacher of Insight Meditation and engaged spirituality at Spirit Rock in northern California
“Bill Drake’s story is an inspiration to our students and staff and lends hope and promise to a situation that can often feel despairing. His journey as a human being is a story that needed to be told, and I am glad it has been captured in this book. Almost Hereditary would be a valuable complement to appropriate high school and college courses.”
~Dan Frisella, Principal, NevadaUnionHigh School, Grass Valley, CA
“Bill Drake writes with a disarming humility that guides the reader into a real yet non-judgmental conversation about the nature of prejudice. . . . With support from his book I have found a greater courage to examine the prejudice that lives in me.”
~Rob Steffke, youth therapist and mentor, Movimiento (www.movimagine.org)
“Almost Hereditary [includes] an excellent historical survey of the problem of slavery in the South.”
~Bill Ellis, author of Paradigm Shift, “Teaching Tolerance and Acceptance,”www.timescall.com, June 5, 2014
“Beginning with the powerful story of one man’s healing from racism, Almost Hereditary offers many inspiring tools to help others do the same. Thank you to Bill Drake for the courage and commitment woven into this book.”
~Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program (Workman Publishing Company, 2010), Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society
“Bill Drake courageously and honestly addresses the racist conditioning he received from his family, as well as from social institutions. His commitment to freeing himself from the impact of racism and the thoughtful and intelligent guidance he offers in this accessible and well constructed book provides a model for healing that is possible for everyone to follow.”
~Ann Todd Jealous & Caroline Haskell, authors of Combined Destinies: Whites Sharing Grief About Racism (Potomac Books, 2013)
“Bill Drake has more reason than most white southerners to be racist. His ancestors owned slaves and his parents passed along their bigotry like an infection. Drake worked for much of his adult life to overcome his conditioned racism. . . . Almost Hereditary describes the journey and offers valuable lessons in how to undo the bondage of prejudice.”
~Norma Watkins, author of The Last Resort: Taking the Mississippi Cure(University Press of Mississippi, 2011), professor emerita at Miami Dade College (Miami, FL), creative writing professor at College of the Redwoods (Ft. Bragg, CA)
“A valuable, heartfelt reflection by a descendant of a Confederate officer.”
~Curtis Wilkie, author of Dixie (Scribner, 2002); Cook Chair and Associate Professor of Journalism, Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, University of Mississippi
“Almost Hereditary is a strong personal account of a descendant of slave owners’ difficult path from racial prejudice and white privilege to his rejection of racism, reclamation of his humanity, and current work for racial justice.”
~Paul Kivel, author of Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice (New Society Publisher, 2011), www.paulkivel.com
