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Won Over: Reflections of a Federal Judge on His Journey from Jim Crow Mississippi
What was it like growing up white in Mississippi as the Civil Rights Movement exploded in the 1950s and '60s. How did white children reconciled the decency and fairness taught by their parents with the indecency and unfairness of the Mississippi Way of Life, the euphemism applied to the pervasive Jim Crow. How did the Civil Rights Movement influence white kids coming of age in the most segregated place in America?
Won Over , a memoir, examines these questions as it traces the journey of United States District Judge William Alsup, born white in 1945 to hard-working parents in Mississippi. They believed in segregation. But they also taught their children fairness and decency and therein lay the conflict, a struggle at the core of the human predicament in the South.
As Won Over recalls near its outset, the author's earliest doubt about the system came at age twelve when what he'd thought stood as an abandoned shack at the bottom of a sand quarry turned out to be a school for black kids, whom we saw playing in the mud outside its door. At the end, Won Over reflects on a 1966 challenge by the author and his college roommate to the Mississippi Speaker Ban, an official rule against any "controversial" speaker coming onto a college campus in Mississippi, a rule used to quash their invitation to the state president of the NAACP to speak at their college, Mississippi State University. After a tense showdown, the roommates won that challenge. In January 1967, Aaron Henry became the first black ever to speak on a white college campus in Mississippi, receiving a standing ovation.
The memoir traces the influences that drew the author from traditional Southern attitudes toward a color-blind ideal. Those influences included his older sister, Willanna, his closest circle of friends, a charismatic mentor in college, and the moral force of the Civil Rights Movement. Won Over recounts their steps along that journey ― a counter protest to a John Birch Society billboard calling for the impeachment of Chief Justice Earl Warren; meeting personally with the brother of slain leader Medgar Evers to convey condolences; a letter to the editor of the statewide paper on behalf of his circle of friends declaring "We are for civil rights for Negroes"; joining his college roommate in a rally at Tougaloo College to support the Meredith March Against Racism; and going to the Liberty Baptist Church in Chicago to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exhort the faithful in their summer-long protest against housing and employment discrimination.
In 1967, William Alsup went on to Harvard Law School, then to clerk for Justice William O. Douglas. He briefly practiced civil rights law in Mississippi before moving to San Francisco, where he became a trial attorney and, in 1999, received an appointment as United States District Judge.
Won Over , a memoir, examines these questions as it traces the journey of United States District Judge William Alsup, born white in 1945 to hard-working parents in Mississippi. They believed in segregation. But they also taught their children fairness and decency and therein lay the conflict, a struggle at the core of the human predicament in the South.
As Won Over recalls near its outset, the author's earliest doubt about the system came at age twelve when what he'd thought stood as an abandoned shack at the bottom of a sand quarry turned out to be a school for black kids, whom we saw playing in the mud outside its door. At the end, Won Over reflects on a 1966 challenge by the author and his college roommate to the Mississippi Speaker Ban, an official rule against any "controversial" speaker coming onto a college campus in Mississippi, a rule used to quash their invitation to the state president of the NAACP to speak at their college, Mississippi State University. After a tense showdown, the roommates won that challenge. In January 1967, Aaron Henry became the first black ever to speak on a white college campus in Mississippi, receiving a standing ovation.
The memoir traces the influences that drew the author from traditional Southern attitudes toward a color-blind ideal. Those influences included his older sister, Willanna, his closest circle of friends, a charismatic mentor in college, and the moral force of the Civil Rights Movement. Won Over recounts their steps along that journey ― a counter protest to a John Birch Society billboard calling for the impeachment of Chief Justice Earl Warren; meeting personally with the brother of slain leader Medgar Evers to convey condolences; a letter to the editor of the statewide paper on behalf of his circle of friends declaring "We are for civil rights for Negroes"; joining his college roommate in a rally at Tougaloo College to support the Meredith March Against Racism; and going to the Liberty Baptist Church in Chicago to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exhort the faithful in their summer-long protest against housing and employment discrimination.
In 1967, William Alsup went on to Harvard Law School, then to clerk for Justice William O. Douglas. He briefly practiced civil rights law in Mississippi before moving to San Francisco, where he became a trial attorney and, in 1999, received an appointment as United States District Judge.
250 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 12, 2021
Enjoyed the story a lot and know one person in the story. Some of it was funny such as the attempted 50 mile walk. It was excellent local history. There was a lot of extraneous information at times that had nothing to do with the Jim Crow south. I grew up with Jim Crow in Virginia and it correlated with Mississippi. There were lots of details about the state of Mississippi. I had hoped to read more effects of the Jim Crow laws and examples of consequences of living during this time period. Many times, the book was repetition of news stories instead of people’s attitudes. In conclusion, I learned some things and am glad I read the book.
December 9, 2020
Having grown up in Jim Crow (Clarksdale) Mississippi, this book was sure to resonate. It did. The author is only a few years older than me. What I did not expect: to be surprised.I learned about horrible racial incidents in my home town. This book continues my reading journey: the more I learn, the more distressing racism I uncover.
One small issue: his parents were segregationists and he distinguished between that group and white supremacists. In reality, this is all a continuum. Some racists are rabid and violent, others are not. But whites calling for segregation by definition indicates a degree of white supremacy.
That is a small point in the book. I was amazed and proud to learn about liberal activism at Mississippi State University. The author described his heartfelt journey through dangerous terrain.
One small issue: his parents were segregationists and he distinguished between that group and white supremacists. In reality, this is all a continuum. Some racists are rabid and violent, others are not. But whites calling for segregation by definition indicates a degree of white supremacy.
That is a small point in the book. I was amazed and proud to learn about liberal activism at Mississippi State University. The author described his heartfelt journey through dangerous terrain.
August 23, 2019
Won Over is an extraordinary memoir. Judge Alsup’s intimate reflections are a powerful tribute to decency, fairness, equality, justice, and compassion. His journey is rooted in humility and nurtured by family and enduring friendships. Judge Alsup generously opens his Mississippi world to us — a world marred by segregation and vitriol. The moral force of the civil rights movement shaped him and his decision to study law. This book is a guiding light for all who aspire to be on the side of justice and equality.
August 25, 2019
A perspective I would never have known
Excellent memoir about a crucial time in our country which is still important and should be remembered today particularly for those of us who grew up in California
Excellent memoir about a crucial time in our country which is still important and should be remembered today particularly for those of us who grew up in California
April 12, 2022
I found this book very interesting since I personally have known and worked with Bill Alsup. I didn't realize how involved he was during the civil rights era and I feel proud to have known him and to find out how he fought for civil rights. A good read.
August 3, 2019
Great first person account of life in Mississippi During the civil rights era.
I really enjoyed hearing about (mostly) not famous people finding their way and taking on segregation and bigotry when it was all around them.
I really enjoyed hearing about (mostly) not famous people finding their way and taking on segregation and bigotry when it was all around them.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews