The first Westmoreland Reads community reading was Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow. The book tells the story of Derek Black, godson of KKK grand wizard, David Duke, and son of Don Black, founder of Stormfront, the first and largest hate site on thee Internet. Raised at the epicenter of white nationalism and considered a rising star in the white nationalist movement, Derek Black ultimately rejected the ideology he had been raised in and confronted the damage he had done. This book beautifully tells the story of that transformation.
Discussion Questions | Reading Guide
Videos with the author:
Eli Saslow & Derek Black - From Racism to Redemption in “Rising Out of Hatred” (The Daily Show)
Fmr. White Nationalist Says Ideology Will Endure “Underground” Post-Trump (Amanpour and Company)
Recent interview from the Pitt-Greensburg Insider
Reading Group/Discussion Events Information
- YWCA reading groups - registration form
- October 6 at 7pm - Online discussion hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley.
Author Event Information
Eli Saslow visited Greensburg on October 13 for special events at the Pitt-Greensburg campus and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.
Schedule of Events for October 13
- Noon - Keynote Address at Pitt-Greensburg. In person attendance for Pitt-Greensburg employees and students only.
- 6pm - Community Q & A and book signing at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.