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

by Charles B. Dew

In this powerful memoir, Charles Dew, one of America’s most respected historians of the South--and particularly its history of slavery--turns the focus on his own life, which began not in the halls of enlightenment but in a society unequivocally committed to segregation.

Dew re-creates the midcentury American South of his childhood--in many respects a boy’s paradise, but one stained by Lost Cause revisionism and, worse, by the full brunt of Jim Crow. Through entertainments and "educational" books that belittled African Americans, as well as the living examples of his own family, Dew was indoctrinated in a white supremacy that, at best, was condescendingly paternalistic and, at worst, brutally intolerant. The fear that southern culture, and the "hallowed white male brotherhood," could come undone through the slightest flexibility in the color line gave the Jim Crow mindset its distinctly unyielding quality. Dew recalls his father, in most regards a decent man, becoming livid over a black tradesman daring to use the front, and not the back, door.

The second half of the book shows how this former Confederate youth and descendant of Thomas Roderick Dew, one of slavery’s most passionate apologists, went on to reject his racist upbringing and become a scholar of the South and its deeply conflicted history. The centerpiece of Dew’s story is his sobering discovery of a price circular from 1860--an itemized list of humans up for sale. Contemplating this document becomes Dew’s first step in an exploration of antebellum Richmond’s slave trade that investigates the terrible--but, to its white participants, unremarkable--inhumanity inherent in the institution.

Dew’s wish with this book is to show how the South of his childhood came into being, poisoning the minds even of honorable people, and to answer the question put to him by Illinois Browning Culver, the African American woman who devoted decades of her life to serving his "Charles, why do the grown-ups put so much hate in the children?"

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Race, American History, Politics, African American

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2016

About the author

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

Reviews

[Wendell Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for the first half. This is a very important book about a history professor who was born in the Jim Crow south and how he, like many other youth of the south, was "trained" to be a racist. It is a very unique perspective on the issue of race in America. However, in the second 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. While I do 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.

[Kusaimamekirai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a startling and sobering book that can roughly be divided into two parts.
The first is the author's recollections of growing up in Jim Crow Florida and the everyday racism that existed in that world. Not that he was aware of it 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 slow)start to question all that he was brought up to believe.
The second part of the book is a brief history of the Virginia slave trade. Through letters, account books, and journals, he documents the cold and methodical way human 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 barbarity and inhumanity. There is no concern for any of the lives or families being destroyed in these letters, simply letter after letter of inquiries about how much human beings as young as 8 or 9 years old would fetch at auction that week.
It's stomach turning reading to be sure but I'm grateful that the author was able to wade through these horrific source materials and write this book. Not an easy to read book, but a very important one.

[Colleen Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful, important book. 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 choice of a Northern college where, for the first time, he learned to relate to African-Americans as equals, something he had never even considered previously. He discusses the overt as well as covert ways that attitudes toward race among Southern whites have been passed down. This is a short book and one that I plan to make required reading in American history classes.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best review of this book would be in Charles Dew's own words ...... “because I wanted to know how white Southerners – my people – had managed to look evil in the face every day and not see what was right there in front of them, in front of us.”

A powerful memoir.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because the author grew up in St. Pete and lived in Old Northeast. Most of this book either made me feel sad or angry. I tried to understand it from the author's viewpoint but that didn't help me much. Especially the scene where he felt compelled to apologize to his horrifically racist father. It left me so thankful that I grew up in the south and managed for this NOT to be my reality.

[Karol Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think about Charles Dew's transformation, I think about social constructs and social learning. Both play a big part in our personal development. If Charles Dew had never left the south to attend college in Massachusetts, we might not have had a clear review of the stock market that served as both a metaphor for the way 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 near the end of the Civil War. The Civil War took place from 1861-1865. Change was looming, as reflected by the market.

Charles' move from the deep south to one of the most liberal states in the U.S. changes everything. The assumptions and false history presented to the in-crowd of pro slavery whites shared in this book was systematically challenged. In the end Charles could not allow his nagging feeling that slavery was wrong not to direct his path.

I feel that this book is worth a read. It shares a unique perspective and approach to the U.S. discussion on race that can only be offered by a scholar who has gone through an extensive process of self examination and found himself lacking. The document shared in the book that listed the types of slaves to be sold at the Richmond market 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, but the unique approach and the equally unique information shared in this book compelled me to do so.

[Mickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by an honest historian who writes what he saw and lived. Should be widely read— especially by Southerners who still think the Civil War was heroic.

[Suzanne Ondrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in less than a day; it 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 us many unrealized rules that governed his house, such as: His family designated chipped dishes, jelly glasses (to be used as drinking cups) to be used solely for the help(36).
His family had 2 bathrooms; the worn out & not pretty one was for the help. There were no signs designating usage, but it operated this way (36-37).
He was taught to not shake hands with blacks (37).
He was taught to only address blacks by their first 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 South and race and slavery because I wanted to know how white southerners- my people- had managed to look evil in the face every day and not see what was right there in front of them, in front of us. ….Why couldn’t we see this evil? It was right there in front of us. Every day. Slavery in the nineteenth century. Segregation in mine. Moral abominations. Yet we were oblivious to all of it”(92).


“I think that process of change and gradual transformation involved two things: consciousness raising and conscience raising”(62).

[Philip Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. Study the past to clear a better way for the future.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

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

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Amalia Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the best book that I read on racism and how a society dehumanizes to treat other race as if they were animals not capable of thinking or having feelings.

[Carmi Cioni Podwojski · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

[Staci Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and compelling look at a boy raised in the deep south. The author is unflinching in his exploration of the racist tones of his upbringing in Florida in the 1950s. The chapter that details the communications between various slave traders in Richmond just before the Civil War is truly chilling.

[Candace Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick book 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 book adresses how white people don't see themselves as racist if their own actions are not overtly cruel or physically violent. Yet, when societies treat a group even in sublte ways ( 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 as calling (even small white children) blacks by their first names, when other white adults would be addressed as Sir, Madam, Mr. or Mrs.. One's home-life is the main source of this behavior, but can be reinforced by communites and society. With today's resurgense of racism I found the book very interesting and timely.

unfamiliar words;

pg. 34 golliwog-a soft doll with bright clothes, a black face, and fuzzy hair.
pg. 44 miscegenation-the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types.
pg. 52 didactic-intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive:
pg. 80 jerimiads-a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.
pg. 114 dyspeptic-a person who suffers from indigestion or irritability.
pg. 118 opprobrium-harsh criticism or censure:

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Dew grew up primarily in Florida (with a little bit of Virginia). He was born in 1937 and was raised as a true southern boy of that era. He listened and read racist stories with his parents, and was told why the south was on the right side of the Civil War. His grandfather wrote in support of slavery, his father was very pro-segregation, and his mother quietly reinforced all the hatred. Fast forward to Dew’s college years up 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 book feels like an apology for his earlier years, but he is also a historian trying to explain how racists come to fruition and insight into how to stop the hatred.

[Ron Abernethy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the distinct pleasure of being asked to pick 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 main 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 'face-to-face' person was, indeed, the one I came to know about 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 be cliche-ish to say so but there is a light that emanates from him. To me, it was a light of someone who truly found redemption and transformation. In that short time, we talked about so many different things, in addition to his book, that are impacting the world today. Mostly, I was moved by some of the back stories he shared which informed his transformation which did not make it into the book. We remain friends and still stay in touch to this day. It's a friendship I cherish and which gives me hope.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor examines his own history of growing up 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 of the traders, whose center was in Richmond, Virginia.
The author's breakaway from his racist past begins with having a black roommate, reading the NY Times, and attending Williams College in Massachusetts, where he began to realize that there were different modes of thinking about race and so-called superiority.
An honest self-examination and explanation of how children become racist through indoctrination and habits of thinking.

[Reza Amiri Praramadhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roughly divided into two parts, one is about the life of the author during the Jim Crow era in American south and his attempt to break free of it, the racism and all, and the second 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 background stories of his life quite fascinating, which unfortunately, had to be ended with boring letters from 19th century.

[ejs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eye opening book into "how can you think like that?!" I now understand a lot better, about how some southerners are as racist as they are. This book is written by a man who goes North for an education and learns more than he ever thought he would. He recalls how the changes began, but yet understands that he still has a way to go...but he has the understanding to see how he became a racist and how he is changes. It is a very important book for the times.

[Pat Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Chelsea Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is split into two equally fascinating parts- the author’s experience growing up in the Jim Crow south and his subsequent research into the slave trade as a professor. He packs quite a punch for a book under 200 pages. It’s an equally sad and terrifying look at our country’s racist history through two different lenses- an excellent read.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles B. Dew's exploration into his Southern upbringing. He brings in primary sources - letters 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?'"

[Stephen Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding: both the author's own odyssey and his examination 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 matter or course

[Mindy Harman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read from the point of view of a southern man raised in a racist environment. The author became a historian and then used his education to really focus on the subject of racism and slavery in the South.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dew reflects on his early life as a southerner during the 1950s. As 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.

[Aaron Spiegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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