Status
Available
Publication
Harper, (2005). Signed by the author.
Description
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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member clik4
Breaking a code of silence, Essie Mae Washington–Williams writes her story within the history of the United States Senate. Ms. Washington-Williams’; the daughter of South Carolina’s Senator Strom Thurmond, lived a hidden life from the spotlight of the political drama of one of the leading
Essie lived a dicotomous life loving the father she met at 16 years of age; a financially generous, educationally supportive man contrasted with his belief in the old southern philosophy of racial inequity and complicated by a dual hidden life. Essie emerges as the voice of harmony and higher character, a woman who accepted her father as flawed, continued to honor him while managing an affectionate peace with the the man and the conflict.
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voices for racial segregation. Essie’s mother was a black teenager who worked as a maid in the Thurmond household and was taken care of by Thurmond - silently.Essie lived a dicotomous life loving the father she met at 16 years of age; a financially generous, educationally supportive man contrasted with his belief in the old southern philosophy of racial inequity and complicated by a dual hidden life. Essie emerges as the voice of harmony and higher character, a woman who accepted her father as flawed, continued to honor him while managing an affectionate peace with the the man and the conflict.
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LibraryThing member Onnaday
This book is Essie Mae’s story and a living historic chronicle of the life and times intertwined with her real life situation. Williams's story can be viewed as a tragedy of the American south with its unenlightened prejudices and hypocrisies; but it also can be viewed as a story of family ties,
An argument can be made that since her mother, Carrie was in the employ of the Thurmonds, their sex may not have been entirely consentual (much like Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings). Strom Thurmond didn't have to do any of the things he chose to do for his mulatto daughter and he risked a lot by making special trips to see Essie Mae and giving her cash. He also can't be blamed for his daughter's long silence. He never told her to not tell anyone. That was Essie Mae's choice alone.
Essie Mae shows herself to be far more forgiving than most other people would be. Accepting her father's shortcomings whilst never agreeing with his policies and ideals but most poignantly of all she proves herself to be a good and loyal daughter, something that Strom Thurmond did not deserve in my opinion.
There is one moment that I had to question in this book. When Essie Mae leaves her children in California to attend her husband, Julius’ funeral. I understand the financial part (help from her father at this time would have been then) but the emotional deprivation of saying goodbye to their father seemed crucial. Still, Washington's story is one of courage, perseverance and grace.
I would have liked to see pictures of her mother, aunt and uncle in “Dear Senator” and she never explains what happens to relatives including her brother Willie, Father/Uncle and Cousin Calvin.
This is an amazing story by Washington of learning to accept and love her father and the legacy of her birth. The story is well written, fascinating and bittersweet to read. This book is not only personal but very factual. This is an interesting historical document. “Dear Senator is written with candor, honesty, sadness and spirit.
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of love and honor. Her restraint and respect for her father in an ugly period of our history--one that included segregation, racism and Jim Crow is incredible, which help to mitigate the harsh realities of her circumstances. An argument can be made that since her mother, Carrie was in the employ of the Thurmonds, their sex may not have been entirely consentual (much like Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings). Strom Thurmond didn't have to do any of the things he chose to do for his mulatto daughter and he risked a lot by making special trips to see Essie Mae and giving her cash. He also can't be blamed for his daughter's long silence. He never told her to not tell anyone. That was Essie Mae's choice alone.
Essie Mae shows herself to be far more forgiving than most other people would be. Accepting her father's shortcomings whilst never agreeing with his policies and ideals but most poignantly of all she proves herself to be a good and loyal daughter, something that Strom Thurmond did not deserve in my opinion.
There is one moment that I had to question in this book. When Essie Mae leaves her children in California to attend her husband, Julius’ funeral. I understand the financial part (help from her father at this time would have been then) but the emotional deprivation of saying goodbye to their father seemed crucial. Still, Washington's story is one of courage, perseverance and grace.
I would have liked to see pictures of her mother, aunt and uncle in “Dear Senator” and she never explains what happens to relatives including her brother Willie, Father/Uncle and Cousin Calvin.
This is an amazing story by Washington of learning to accept and love her father and the legacy of her birth. The story is well written, fascinating and bittersweet to read. This book is not only personal but very factual. This is an interesting historical document. “Dear Senator is written with candor, honesty, sadness and spirit.
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LibraryThing member carterchristian1
Essie Mae Washington-Williams wrote these memoirs with the help of a writer, experienced in telling the stories of those associated with celebrities, so there is some question to what extent everything in this book is from the perspective of Thurmond's daughter. However, in any case this successful
However, it is not the Senator but the daughter who is most important in this story. He was clearly a flawed figure, in fact a failuer in politics, despite his elections, it was she who became the success, holding true to her ideals.
It is a good read and leaves on thinking about how politicians compartmentalize their lives and exclude family members.
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educator, almost 80 years old at the time of writing, hurried to get it into print in time to capitalize on the recent death of the Senator, probably provides most of the interpretation. She is telling the story of many, many biracial children from the South, as far back with the offspring of Sally Hennings and the emotions must be common to most of them. There is the dream of a mother who figures as a romantic figure caught in a trap of cultural biasis starcrossed as any Juliet. Essie Mae insists her father did not marry until after he thought her mother was herself married to another. She does not become bitter because her father gave her hope,whatever his motives, that she could have a successful life, and she did.However, it is not the Senator but the daughter who is most important in this story. He was clearly a flawed figure, in fact a failuer in politics, despite his elections, it was she who became the success, holding true to her ideals.
It is a good read and leaves on thinking about how politicians compartmentalize their lives and exclude family members.
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LibraryThing member CasaBooks
If you haven't read this - it's a Recommend !
Essie Mae Washington
Bi-racial illegitimate daughter of Strom Thurmond
2005 book. She born in 1925, found out he was her father in 1941.
Did not go public until after his death.
What an incredible true story.
Read in 2006.
Essie Mae Washington
Bi-racial illegitimate daughter of Strom Thurmond
2005 book. She born in 1925, found out he was her father in 1941.
Did not go public until after his death.
What an incredible true story.
Read in 2006.
LibraryThing member cathysusanne
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.
LibraryThing member jwood652
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member jwood652
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
Show More
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. Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member krazy4katz
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 in Strom Thurmond's employ. Whether he loved Essie Mae's mother as much as was claimed in the book cannot be judged without bias. However, her writing suggests
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that Thurmond loved both of them and it was just politics that kept him from acknowledging them. It was certainly shocking that the Southern champion of separate-but-equal had a loving relationship with his hidden family, but that is what is written 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 — 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 of her father, despite the circumstances. It is an extraordinary story, especially to those of us who looked upon Strom Thurmond as one of the worst of the worst of Southern segregationists. This honest and heartfelt story of Ms. Washington-Willams's story is an amazing story and well worth reading. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
National Book Award (Nominee)
Pulitzer Prize (Nominee)
Language
Original language
English