40 pages • 1-hour read
Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 10-11Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 10 Summary: “I Have to Do This Now”
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. Derek receives his diploma and the event concludes with little incident.
Allison convinces Derek that for the sake of his own future, he must publicly denounce white nationalism. She convinces Derek that if a public record exists of his white nationalist views, he will never escape those views in his academic, professional, or personal life. Derek agrees, but wants to tell his parents before he makes a public statement. He visits his parents the day after a jury acquits George Zimmerman in his shooting of Trayvon Martin. As he listens to his father discuss the case, his confusion about his father’s views turns to anger. Derek realizes, “It wasn’t just his father’s views that suddenly horrified him […] It was the memory of his previous self” (217). He made those same arguments and “expressed similar callousness, ignorance, and cruelty” (217). He cannot muster the courage to discuss his new viewpoint with his parents in person. He leaves his parents’ house and drafts a full denunciation of his white nationalist beliefs and his past, then sends it to the Southern Poverty Law Center with the instruction, “Please publish in full” (220).
Chapter 11 Summary: “So Much Worse Than I Ever Thought”
While performing an internet search of Derek to track his rise as a public figure, Don finds the headline, “Activist Son of Key Racist Leader Renounces White Nationalism” (221). The full text of the article is Derek’s letter—an evisceration of white nationalist ideology that references structural oppression, privilege, and marginalized groups. Don assumes the article is fake and calls Derek to warn him someone hacked his email. Derek tells Don the letter is authentic and Don abruptly hangs up. Saslow recounts, “The next hours unfolded in a cycle of rage and grief” (222). Don, Chloe, or another member of his family call Derek in rage, hang up, call back later to apologize, then repeat. Don believes two things: (1) white nationalism is a righteous cause; (2) Derek is one of the most intelligent people he knows. Those two beliefs are now in conflict. Don tells Derek this is “by far the worst experience of his life” and that he “weighed out the pros and cons, and he had concluded that it would have been better for their family if Derek hadn’t been born” (223). Moments later, Don calls back and tells Derek that isn’t true and apologizes. Derek confides in Allison, “I think I might be getting disowned. Many family members have vowed never to talk to me again […] it’s so much worse than I ever thought” (224).
Derek receives a different reaction from outside his family. He receives congratulatory messages from friends, former classmates, and strangers supportive of his ideological evolution. The Southern Poverty Law Center removes Derek’s extremist file from its website. Derek publicly credits the influence of New College students for his transformation, especially those who disagreed with his ideology but supported him regardless. He says:
Furthermore, a critical juncture was when I’d realize that a friend was considered an outsider by the philosophy I supported. It’s a huge contradiction to share your summer plans with someone whom you completely respect, only to then realize that your ideology doesn’t consider them a full member of society. I couldn’t resolve that (225).
Stormfront users call Derek a traitor, threaten him, and question Don’s allegiance to their cause. Duke believes Derek is suffering a form of Stockholm syndrome from liberal academia. Don contemplates withdrawing from public life.
Unwelcome in his childhood home, Derek meets Don in a bar before leaving Florida for Michigan. They debate, but it is fruitless. Weeks later, Derek returns to Florida to legally change his name from Derek Roland Black to Roland Derek Black. It is a minor change that he believes will hide him from search engine results referencing his past. He doesn’t see his family while he’s back. He tells Allison, “It’s all over and done with” (235), but at the same time, the white nationalist conference he founded is promoting and spreading the ideas Derek pioneered.
Chapters 10-11 Analysis
Derek has fully renounced white nationalism privately, but cannot bring himself to do so publicly. As the 2016 presidential election approaches, mainstream politicians begin adopting the racialized language Derek championed for in his white nationalist lectures. As white nationalism becomes more mainstream, he feels responsible for the ideology’s spread and culpable for atrocities committed in its name. Encouraged by Allison, he feels increasing pressure to condemn the ideology. When Derek finally publicly denounces white nationalism, he does so without warning his parents. His betrayal to their core values shocks them. Their initial reaction is severe, but even after the shock subsides, they choose white nationalist ideology over their son. They effectively disown Derek, telling him he is no longer welcome in their home. In the next few years, Derek rarely sees or speaks to them. When he does, it is combative—never familial. Derek’s worst fear in renouncing white nationalist ideology is realized—it ruins his relationship with his family and entire network of friends built prior to enrolling in college. He sacrifices almost everything in his life to do what he believes is morally righteous.
Unlock all 40 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs