Dig Into This Important Book!
"Tyler’s History of White Supremacy is both EYE-OPENING and THOUGHT-PROVOKING. Well worth reading." - Jeff Williams, President, Tyler Together Race Relations Forum (Deceased)
"Montalvo's attention to the complicity of the white Christian church in building a community based on white supremacy is ESPECIALLY NOTABLE and TROUBLING." - Reverend Joshua Fite, St. John’s Lutheran Church
"Montalvo examines the horrifying reality of what people of color experienced in Tyler... then POINTS TO THE CAUSE and calls for repentance." - Bishop N.R. Mcgrew, Higher Dimensions Ministry
“It’s never going to be comfortable to learn what your ancestors did. To use a specific example, what’s been done in the name of protecting white women (referring to lynching). It should be uncomfortable to learn about people doing evil things. Moving through that discomfort is how we build a better society. Nobody is trying to go make every student in a class feel bad about themselves. We’re just trying to tell the truth of our history. And trying in English classes to allow the teaching of the full range of human experience so that we can have a society that is inclusive of everyone. That’s one of the main purposes of our public education system is to teach American values. We can’t teach American, small ‘d’ democratic values if we are intentionally excluding part of the truth.” - TX Representative Erin Zwiener - District 45 (Democrat), In Ms Magazine.
Why was this book written?
Tyler's History of White Supremacy explores many legends & events in Tyler & Smith County lore believed to be motivated by racial animus. The cumulative effects of these incidents helped shape what many people of color believe is the area's racist culture. The purpose of the book is to both inform people of color of those defining moments as well as educate the majority culture of its long history of racism & xenophobia.
Another purpose is to encourage the development of The Tyler Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TTRC). The Commission would investigate then disseminate the truth about racism & hatred in the community, no matter how painful, in an effort to further the work of societal reconciliation, economic justice, and protecting the basic human rights of the city's most vulnerable. This work will make Tyler a more loving, just place, for all peoples to live, work, and play.
But before the TTRC is launched, we have an opportunity to acknowledge some of the untold history, especially the painful past. This book is meant to help start that discussion.
