The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South

Life is about choices, and in the book THE BEST OF ENEMIES by Osha Gray Davidson we are able to see how choices, coupled with action, has created moments of change that have had lasting effects—but are still continuing.

I have to be honest and say that before the announcement of the movie I had know idea this book even existed. That is why I am glad I took the time to read it so I could get the story that inspired the movie, and get to know the people who have been a part of this country’s movement forward.

The book takes us into a very decisive time in our history, but a time that unfortunately is not altogether different than our own. The main individuals in the book are C. P. Ellis and Ann Atwater, but they are joined by individuals who are also fighting their own battles. At the core are a series of questions: Are we created equals? Who gets to decide that black and white deserve to be together? What cost is too high to pay for what is seen as progress?

The book addresses the passion of Ellis and Atwater, but also the resilience of others who are willing to fight for what they believe in. As these two individuals are able to come together it shows that we can be able to set our differences aside and do something amazing. If we can learn from what they did and the sacrifices of others we can better appreciate where we are today and where we can go.

In 2019, this book was made into a movie. The movie was very good and led me to purchase this book on which it is based. (After the book came a stage play on which the movie was based.)

The book opens in 1864 and gives a good survey of over 100 years of economic, cultural, and race history in Durham, NC in 14 chapters plus epilogue. The movie focuses on a little more than maybe one chapter of the book, and looks at the Charrette which was held in 1971 to consider the issue of school desegregation in Durham. The movie and the several chapters of the book consider the fascinating relationship of C.E. Ellis (Grand Cyclops of the KKK in Durham) and Ann Atwater, an African American community organizer. It was a relationship based on misunderstanding and hatred. It developed into a friendship that lasted until Ellis’ death in 2005. Their common struggles as a poor white man and a poor African American woman helped to break down racial barriers.

The background chapters in the book help the reader understand the dynamics of poor, middle class and wealthy whites and Blacks–six classes of people. The animosity was part racial, part economic, with much oppression ignored for personal gain. The book is really worth reading as a case study of race relations in the South in a city that was considered “progressive” and “enlightened.” It wasn’t.

The extensive background and historical considerations should deepen the understanding of readers to the roots of the racism. It should serve as good reading especially for those wanting to understand more about or teaching the history of race relations n the South.

There is a good section of photos, an index, endnotes and bibliography which are all useful and appreciated. My one complaint is that there are no subheads in the chapters to give you a logical place to pause, take a break and think about what you have read. Why writers and editors don’t consider the needs of readers is beyond me.

I recommend the book and the movie. We will hopefully use this book and movie as the basis for discussion on racism in a parish adult faith formation program. The book is easy enough to read and the movie is entertaining. Together they give us much useful study material that will be helpful as we try to understand the causes of racism.

First, I loved the last 25% of this book! Had the first 75% been more personal like the end, I would have rated it much higher. SEEING the preview for the movie, I had anticipated a much more personal story,but instead got a very rich and detailed history of the civil rights movement. Granted, I learned a great deal of history, which is good, just not what I was hoping for.

This book is full of well-researched facts and reads like an educational article. About 2/3rds the way through, the reader finally begins to see how C.P. and Ann could start to become friends. Most of the time when reading, I couldnt imagine how that would happen. This book would be important for everyone to read and understand. The race issues continue today.

All the more prescient because of what is happening to our country right now in 2020; the unlikely friendship that bloomed between a clansman and a black woman. It is an incredible, heartening story, one that restores faith in the human race when it would seem that one man is perched and ready to destroy it all by himself.

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