On March 4, UCSB Arts & Lectures held a reception for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eli Saslow, major donors, and other VIPs, which included an engrossing talk and Q&A on Saslow’s book, Rising Out of Hatred, the Awakening of a Former White Nationalist.
Guests mingled and enjoyed a light buffet dinner at Susan Rose’s beautiful Hope Ranch home before being seated in the spacious living room for the talk and Q&A. Saslow shared how in Rising Out of Hatred, he tells the transformational story of Derek Black, who was raised to take over the white nationalist movement, but changes course during his college years. During his time at New College of Florida, Derek was exposed to both protests and significant outreach by other students, which caused him to question his beliefs and then become a passionate advocate against the ideology he had helped spread.
Saslow explained how at the heart of the story were the other students, whose sustained persistence, courage, and patience caused Derek’s transformation. Derek realized that white nationalism was a huge and corrupting force of evil in the world. In renouncing his prior beliefs, he was turning against his father, the founder of Stormfront, the largest racist community on the Internet. According to Saslow, Derek viewed his decision to be one not of heroism or courage, but one of fundamental decency.