A former white supremacist is coming to Springfield to talk about his shift from racial hate to "rational love." Joseph Pearce is Tolkien & Lewis Chair in Literary Studies at Holy Apostles College & Seminary and Senior Editor at the Augustine Institute.
In Springfield on Thursday night, he will address students and the public about topics covered in his book, "Race With the Devil: From Racial Hatred to Rational Love." Pearce became part of the National Frontas a teen, and edited their propaganda arm, a magazine called Bulldog. He says much of his hatred was learned from his father. He spent two stints in prison as a result of inciting hate.
Pearce says part of his change in views had to do with his enemies showing him love, instead of meeting his hate with hate. "“Even if we are very, very opposed to racism, (we should) treat racists, and all human beings, with a rational love, and not return hatred for hatred, because that just makes the situation worse.” Tune in to our interview about his time as a white supremacist and why he's not one any more:
Pearce speaks in Springfield Thursday night at 7pm at the Brookens Auditorium at UIS. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
