Accessibility links
Baynard Woods reflects on growing up white in the United States : Code Switch In Baynard Woods' new memoir, Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness, Woods reflects on how growing up white in South Carolina impacted his life. He argues that it is crucial for white people in the U.S. to reckon with their personal histories.

Code Switch

What does it mean to "inherit whiteness?"

What does it mean to "inherit whiteness?"

Listen · 26:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1120063333/1199264802" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Enlarge this image

Author Baynard Woods writes about his family's history in South Carolina in his book Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness. J. M. Giordano/XYZ Book Publisher Company hide caption

toggle caption
J. M. Giordano/XYZ Book Publisher Company

Author Baynard Woods writes about his family's history in South Carolina in his book Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness.

J. M. Giordano/XYZ Book Publisher Company

When Baynard Woods left his hometown of South Carolina as an adult, he thought he'd escaped the South's legacy as well. But after a few experiences and an unexpected discovery about his family history, he realized just how deep the mythology of whiteness in his life really was. In his new memoir, Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness, Woods reflects on how race impacted his life.