Intelligence Squared What can Charlottesville teach us about America’s national story? With Deborah Baker
Jul 13, 2025
In this discussion, Deborah Baker, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of "Charlottesville: An American Story," shares her personal connection to the city where the Unite the Right rally erupted. She reveals the historical complexities of Charlottesville, including its ties to slavery and race, and the implications of the Confederate statue at its center. Baker also uncovers the failures of local authorities and highlights stories of those who sought to prevent violence. Through her insights, she encourages a deeper understanding of how these events reflect broader American narratives.
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2017 Charlottesville Rally Violence
- In August 2017, over a thousand far-right extremists marched in Charlottesville with tiki torches chanting racist slogans.
- The rally turned violent when a car was driven into counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring others.
Historical Echoes of White Supremacy
- Charlottesville’s white supremacy history includes fascist influences like Ezra Pound promoting race war in the 1950s.
- This shows a disturbing historical echo between past and recent racial violence in Charlottesville.
Sarah Patton Boyle’s Tragic Crusade
- Sarah Patton Boyle, a privileged Virginia woman, tried advocating for racial justice but ended socially isolated.
- Her efforts to support desegregation revealed entrenched racial resistance in Charlottesville.