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Breaking nearly eight decades of silence, Essie Mae Washington-Williams comes forward with a story of unique historical magnitude and incredible human drama. Her father, the late Strom Thurmond, was once the nation's leading voice for racial segregation (one of his signature political achievements was his 24-hour filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, done in the name of saving the South from "mongrelization"). Her mother, however, was a black teenager named Carrie Butler who worked as a maid on the Thurmond family's South Carolina plantation. Set against the explosively changing times of the civil rights movement, this poignant memoir recalls how she struggled with the discrepancy between the father she knew-one who was financially generous, supportive of her education, even affectionate-and the Old Southern politician, railing against greater racial equality, who refused to acknowledge her publicly. From her richly told narrative, as well as the letters she and Thurmond wrote to each other over the years, emerges a nuanced, fascinating portrait of a father who counseled his daughter about her dreams and goals, and supported her in reaching them-but who was unwilling to break with the values of his Dixiecrat constituents. With elegance, dignity, and candor, Washington-Williams gives us a chapter of American history as it has never been written before-told in a voice that will be heard and cherished by future generations.… (más)
This is an amazing memoir by Strom Thurmond's Black daughter, Essie Mae. Yes! That Strom Thurmond. Her mother was a 16-year old Black maid employed by Strom Thurmond's family. Whether he loved Essie Mae's mother as much as was claimed in the book cannot be judged without bias. However, her writing suggests that Thurmond loved both of them and it was just politics that kept him from acknowledging them. It is certainly shocking to learn that the Southern champion of segregation had a loving relationship with his hidden family, but that is what she says and there is no reason not to believe it. As a teacher and lover of history, Ms. Washington-Williams brings life to the reality that was the United States — both North and South — for Black people in the 1940's through the end of the century. Through the eyes of a Black person she talks about segregation, racial inequality, her father's love, which grew in expression over the years, and her own love for her father, despite the circumstances. It is an extraordinary story, especially to those of us who look upon Strom Thurmond as one of the worst of the worst of Southern segregationists. This honest and heartfelt story told by Ms. Washington-Willams is well worth reading. ( )
Many would likely take Essie Mae's husband's side regarding how she kept secret her relationship to Sen. Strom Thurmond, given the senator's political stance. But she relates her story and experience in a way that helped me appreciate the very emotionally and culturally complex situation she was in. It cannot have been easy to be relegated to the sidelines as your biological father ascended the political ladder to greater heights ("greater" in the sense of going beyond being a small-town lawyer, and not that I believe he was a great man). It also speaks to Essie Mae's deep sense of respect and discretion that she did not come out until after his death, and even then, reluctantly. A provocative autobiography that will have readers examining their own views on race and power in this country. ( )
One of the most prominent Southern politicians and segregationists in American history, Strom Thurmond, has a secret relationship with an African American woman, culminating in the birth of a daughter. Finally, his daughter shares her story. This incredible story offers insights into not only Essie Mae Washington-Williams and her personal life but also delivers a unique view into American history and politics as it relates to race. We gain a good exploration of the history and Southern viewpoints. Essie Mae doesn't just tell us about her life and meetings with her famous father but helps us understand, her father, Strom Thurmond, and how he did right by her despite the constraints of his leadership and upbringing in the American South. ( )
One of the most prominent Southern politicians and segregationists in American history, Strom Thurmond, has a relationship with a slave culminating in the birth of a daughter. Finally, his daughter shares her story. This incredible story offers insights into not only Essie Mae Washington-Williams and her personal life but also delivers a unique view into American history and politics as it relates to race. We gain a good exploration of the history and Southern viewpoints. Essie Mae doesn't just tell us about her life and meetings with her famous father but helps us understand, her father, Strom Thurmond, and how he did right by her despite the constraints of his leadership and upbringing in the American South. ( )
What a wonderful lady Essie Mae Washington Williams was. Her love and respect for her father is evident in this eye opening book about her life and her father, Senator Strom Thurmond. ( )
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Dedicated to my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. My legacy to you is the discovery of your lineage. Continue the journey of life, love, and family. Endure the hardships, and embrace the future. Judge not the ethnicity of the person but, scrutinize the character.
I love each of you. God bless all of you.
In loving memory of my mother, Carrie Butler Clark,
my father James Strom Thurmond,
my aunt, Mary Washington Bowman,
my uncle, John Henry Waashington,
my brother, Willie James Clark, and,
my cousin, Calvin Franklin Burton.
Primeras palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
I always thought I had a fairly normal childhood, until I found out my parents weren't who I thought they were.
Citas
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
How could people live in such squalor? I wondered. I was about to learn firsthand, because the people who lived in these shacks were my people.
The only way to feel with all this disequilibrium was to ground myself in the obligations of school and work.
“And it will look awful on your resume, to be a dropout. It raises a lot of questions. Schools don’t like those questions. Neither do employers.”
Últimas palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
I transcended all these internal contradictions to become a real person, my own persom, a simple person who loves America asthe wonderful place that has allowed me to discover, and to be, exactly who I am.
Breaking nearly eight decades of silence, Essie Mae Washington-Williams comes forward with a story of unique historical magnitude and incredible human drama. Her father, the late Strom Thurmond, was once the nation's leading voice for racial segregation (one of his signature political achievements was his 24-hour filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, done in the name of saving the South from "mongrelization"). Her mother, however, was a black teenager named Carrie Butler who worked as a maid on the Thurmond family's South Carolina plantation. Set against the explosively changing times of the civil rights movement, this poignant memoir recalls how she struggled with the discrepancy between the father she knew-one who was financially generous, supportive of her education, even affectionate-and the Old Southern politician, railing against greater racial equality, who refused to acknowledge her publicly. From her richly told narrative, as well as the letters she and Thurmond wrote to each other over the years, emerges a nuanced, fascinating portrait of a father who counseled his daughter about her dreams and goals, and supported her in reaching them-but who was unwilling to break with the values of his Dixiecrat constituents. With elegance, dignity, and candor, Washington-Williams gives us a chapter of American history as it has never been written before-told in a voice that will be heard and cherished by future generations.
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