Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist

In his final months of college, Derek’s only goal is to avoid controversy and appease both his classmates and his family—“To somehow recede from the front lines of white nationalism so quietly that no one would notice or care” (204). Western Michigan University accepts him into their graduate program on medieval studies. He wants an easy resolution to this conflict. Allison pushes him to publicly denounce white nationalism, reminding him of the “public archive” of ideas Derek built during his time at the forefront of the movement. By now, members of the Republican party have absorbed Derek’s lessons on moving white nationalism to the mainstream. The Tea Party and Republican politicians like Jeff Sessions and Steve King parrot Derek’s talking points and use racial dog whistles to bring white nationalist policies to the forefront of American politics. Allison tells him, “You have an obligation to say in public that you don’t believe in this, and that you were factually and morally wrong” (206).

Derek wants to skip his graduation ceremony, but it is important to his family. His mother and grandmother attend, but Don stays home because his attendance would be too controversial. Don still believes that Derek is a committed white nationalist and that Derek’s degree will enable the white nationalist movement to advance.