R. Derek Black’s Complicated Journey of Self-Discovery and Transformation

R. Derek Black’s coming out story is complex and multifaceted, reflecting a life of dramatic personal and ideological transformation.

As a child, Black came out to the world as a white nationalist on the syndicated daytime talk program “The Jenny Jones Show” in 1999. Then, while trying to hide his white nationalist credentials as a college student roughly a decade later, Black was outed in a student-run online forum. In 2013, Black came out yet again: In an article published by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Black condemned white supremacy and his famous family’s ideology and came out as an antiracist.

Now, in the memoir “The Klansman’s Son,” the 35-year-old child of former Ku Klux Klan leader Don Black and a close family friend of the notorious former KKK grand wizard David Duke is coming out as transgender.

R. Derek Black’s Identity and Family Background

“You can sort of bury these things, and for a lot of my teenage years, it was often feeling like it wanted to burst through,” Black, who uses they/them and she/her pronouns, told NBC News. “But it was also something that I just didn’t talk about with almost anybody.”

Black learned not to talk about his gender identity, or anything private for that matter, from a young age. In his memoir, released earlier this month, Black describes how his father — who founded Stormfront, the internet’s first neo-Nazi website — taught him that the notion of privacy was “absurd.”

“One of the earliest and most consistent pieces of advice that my dad ever gave me was, ‘never say anything that you wouldn’t be willing to see published in The New York Times the next day,’” Black writes.

Public Life and Ideological Transformation

Black made international headlines in 2008 for winning a seat on the Republican executive committee for Florida’s Palm Beach County at age 19. Given Black’s family history, the press regularly compared Black to Duke, who also held political office as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1982 to 1999. In the weeks after Black’s win, Duke publicly referred to Black as “the heir” to the white nationalist movement, Black writes in his book. In an interview with NBC News, however, Duke denied calling Black his heir.

But after the Palm Beach County committee refused to seat Black, he left his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, to pursue a bachelor’s degree at New College of Florida in Sarasota. There, he describes living a double life, hosting his neo-Nazi radio show, “The Derek Black Show,” in secrecy from his peers while forming close friendships with Jewish people and people of color.

“It just became intolerable,” Black said. “I couldn’t manage this sort of split that was going on, and I couldn’t even imagine coming back to campus and having to keep doing it, wondering when the shoe is going to drop, when people were going to find out about me.”

Eventually, one of his peers outed him for his white nationalist roots on a student-run online forum. It was then, Black said, that his transformation from a white nationalist to an antiracist began. However, this transformation did not happen overnight. Black said it took years of persuasion from friends who didn’t give up on him to change his views.

Public Denouncement of White Supremacy

In 2013, without telling his family in advance, Black released an article disavowing his white supremacist ideology and formally separating himself from the movement. In the decade since, his relationship with his immediate family has primarily consisted of well wishes for birthdays and holidays.

Coming Out as Transgender

Since coming out as trans and releasing his memoir, Black said, his relationship with his family has become even more strained. Throughout the memoir, Black, who was assigned male at birth, briefly mentions struggles he had as a child understanding his gender identity. He references the long hair he had, which often prompted people to mistake him for a girl.

“I liked the gender confusion, except in public bathrooms, where adult men always took it upon themselves to compliment my looks before telling me I was in the wrong room,” Black writes.

Since writing the book and on a recent press tour to promote it, Black has decided to come out more publicly. He said he originally planned on using he/him pronouns and presenting as a man for the press tour, but ultimately decided against it.

“It’s something that I’m even now thinking more about, how I want to present in the world,” Black said.

Family Response and Strained Relationships

The response from his parents — whom Black said he did not want to disparage — has been “disappointing,” he said.

“I have never gotten as explicitly vitriolic and cruel messages from them as since I publicly identified as trans,” Black said. “It’s not that I’m exactly surprised, because they’re, you know, leaders of the white nationalist movement. It’s kind of what you would expect, I guess.”

“But, they’re also my parents, who I’ve cared about and loved and continue to love, and they have loved me.”

In a phone call with NBC News, Don Black described the rift between himself and his child as “devastating.”

“All of my experiences with him were the most rewarding of my life, which made it particularly horrible,” Don Black said through tears, misgendering R. Derek Black. “Because we did go everywhere together.”

Don Black also encouraged people to read his child’s book. His wife and R. Derek Black's mother, Chloe Black, declined to comment.

R. Derek Black said he has not heard from Duke, who has largely been out of the public eye since unsuccessfully running for Congress in 2016, since he disavowed his white nationalist beliefs more than a decade ago.

Future Aspirations and Activism

“I can only assume the same as my parents, the sort of person with lack of curiosity and lack of compassion and care for a person who is supposed to be an important part of their family,” Black said. “Because he is definitely family. It’s not just a professional, political relationship. I always grew up calling him ‘uncle.’”

Duke, whose ex-wife is Black’s mother and whose two daughters are Black’s half sisters, called his strained relationship with Black “a sad situation.”

“I do believe that Derek Black will realize that he’s made a real mistake,” Duke said, misgendering Black. “And I think someday he’ll be repentant in a sense for the hurt he’s caused his father and mother and others.”

When asked about his beliefs, Duke denied being a white supremacist, adding that his work is about “defending the civil rights of white people.”

R. Derek Black’s Memoir and Advocacy Work

R. Derek Black’s memoir, “The Klansman’s Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism,” chronicles his extraordinary journey from being raised in a household steeped in white supremacist ideology to becoming an advocate for antiracism and social justice. The book provides a candid look at his struggles with identity, the complexities of family loyalty, and the transformative power of community and friendship.

Through his advocacy work, Black hopes to shed light on the dangers of extremist ideologies and inspire others to seek understanding and compassion. His story serves as a powerful testament to the possibility of change and the importance of confronting and rejecting hate.

As he continues to navigate his path as a transgender individual and an antiracist activist, Black remains committed to using his platform to promote inclusivity, understanding, and social justice. His journey is a reminder that personal transformation is possible and that each of us has the power to choose a path of empathy and love over one of hate and division.

Impact on the White Nationalist Community

Black’s renunciation of white nationalism and subsequent transformation into an antiracist advocate has had a significant impact on the white nationalist community. His story challenges the narratives perpetuated by extremist groups and serves as a powerful example of the potential for change. By publicly disavowing the ideologies he was raised with and actively working against them, Black has become a symbol of hope for those seeking to leave behind lives of hate.

Public Reactions and Support

Black’s memoir has garnered widespread attention and sparked conversations about the power of personal transformation. Many readers have expressed admiration for Black’s courage in sharing his story and coming out as transgender. His journey has resonated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the universal struggle for identity and acceptance.

Ongoing Advocacy and Education

Black continues to engage in advocacy work, speaking at events and participating in discussions about race, identity, and social justice. His efforts are aimed at educating others about the dangers of white nationalism and promoting a more inclusive society. By sharing his experiences, Black hopes to inspire others to question their beliefs and work towards a more just world.

Conclusion

R. Derek Black’s story is one of profound transformation and resilience. From being a prominent figure in the white nationalist movement to becoming an outspoken advocate for antiracism and social justice, Black’s journey is a testament to the power of change. His memoir, “The Klansman’s Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism,” provides an intimate look at his struggles with identity, family, and the pursuit of a more inclusive and just society. As Black continues to navigate his path as a transgender individual and advocate, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the capacity for growth and the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming hate.