Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black

by James E. Clyburn, Alfre Woodard (Foreword by)

Overview

“Shares lessons learned on his way from the Jim Crow South to a top spot on Capitol Hill . . . [a] remarkably candid new memoir” —NPR

From his humble beginnings in Sumter, South Carolina, to his prominence on the Washington, D.C., political scene as the third highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, US Congressman James E. Clyburn has led an extraordinary life. In Blessed Experiences, Clyburn tells in his own inspirational words how an African American boy from the Jim Crow-era South was able to beat the odds to achieve great success and become, as President Barack Obama describes him, “one of a handful of people who, when they speak, the entire Congress listens.”

Born in 1940 to a civic-minded beautician and a fundamentalist minister, Clyburn began his ascent to leadership at the age of twelve, when he was elected president of his National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) youth chapter. He broke barriers through peaceful protests and steadfast beliefs in equality and justice. As a civil rights leader at South Carolina State College, as human affairs commissioner under John C. West and three subsequent governors, and as South Carolina’s first African American congressman since 1897, Clyburn has established a long and impressive record of public leadership and advocacy for human rights, education, historic preservation, and economic development.

Includes a foreword from Emmy Award–winning actress and the congressman’s longtime friend Alfre Woodard

“Blessed Experiences has captured not just the history of this tireless leader’s more-than-four decades in public service, but also a sense of the times.” —Warren Buffett

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611173383
Publisher:	University of South Carolina Press
Publication date:	04/13/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	562
Sales rank:	960,412
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James E. Clyburn has represented South Carolina's sixth district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993, and he currently serves as assistant Democratic leader of the House. He has been married to the former Emily England since June 1961, and they have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. The congressman and his wife live in Columbia, South Carolina.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Foreword Alfre Woodard xi

Preface xiii

Chronology xvii

Part 1 Blessed by Experiences

1 Conversations with a Former President 3

2 Courting the Superdelegates 12

Part 2 A Blessed Beginning

3 Inherited Values 21

4 A World without Blinders 32

5 The Young Clyburns 45

Part 3 Finding My Way

6 Into the Streets 61

7 Back to the Basics 71

Part 4 The Charleston Shuffle

8 Two Steps to the West 81

9 Two Steps to the East 88

10 Two Steps Forward 101

11 One Step to the Rear 112

Part 5 Making History

12 Trailblazer 121

13 MythBuster 126

Part 6 A Racial Arbiter

14 The Chester Controversy 137

15 The Citadel Confrontation 139

16 The Conway Crisis 142

17 The Confederate Battle Flag 147

Part 7 Coming to Grips with Reality

18 A Day of Reckoning 163

19 Reaffirming My Goals 174

Part 8 The Dream Realized

20 Deciding to Run for Congress 179

21 Adventures in Campaigning 186

22 Primary Election Day, 1992 195

23 General Election, 1992 206

Part 9 Mr. Clyburn Goes to Washington

24 Arriving in Congress 217

25 Playing Hardball Clinton Style 226

26 My First Bill 232

27 Building Friendships 241

Part 10 Treading and Toiling

28 Wandering in the Wilderness 253

29 Principles above Politics 257

30 Service above Self 265

Part 11 The Age of Obama

31 3-VDay: Victory, Validation, Vindication 281

32 Barack and Me 289

33 Reforming Health Care 295

34 Reducing the Deficit 305

Part 12 Blessed by the Past

35 Genuinely Southern 319

36 Proudly Black 325

Epilogue 335

Index 339

What People are Saying About This

John H. Adams

The remarkable life, career, and growing legacy of James Clyburn is a story that had to be told and is best told by he who lived it. The upward climb from obscurity to leadership positions in South Carolina and the United States Congress is inspiring and motivation to dream both long and large. The achievements are the more inspiring because Jim Clyburn achieved success as a State Official and National Leader coming from a State which still embraces and endorses the Confederacy, therefore racism. Mr. Clyburn, please keep up the good work and we pray much your strength!

Drew Gilpin Faust

A remarkable chronicle of a remarkable life, Blessed Experiences provides a vivid and unforgettable portrait of the Jim Crow South on the eve of its extinction and of a man dedicated to bringing its oppression and injustice to an end. James Clyburn helps us remember our all-too-recent past and the struggles and sacrifices he and so many others endured to build a better world for us all.

Lonnie G. Bunch

Blessed Experience: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black by Congressman James Clyburn is a revelation. This candid autobiography not only charts Clyburn's improbable rise to senior leadership positions in the House of Representatives but also powerfully illuminates America's struggle to free itself from the despair and discrimination that accompanied Jim Crow segregation. Clyburn's words make clear how central the role of local and grass roots activism was in the struggle to find racial justice in places like South Carolina, and helps us better understand the origins of Clyburn's lifelong commitment to help America became a country where fairness and equality trump bigotry and hopelessness.

James A. Cox

Inspired and inspiring, Blessed Experiences is informative reading and highly recommended for both community and academic library Black Studies and American Biography collections.

From the Publisher

"The remarkable life, career, and growing legacy of James Clyburn is a story that had to be told and is best told by he who lived it. The upward climb from obscurity to leadership positions in South Carolina and the United States Congress is inspiring and motivation to dream both long and large. The achievements are the more inspiring because Jim Clyburn achieved success as a State Official and National Leader coming from a State which still embraces and endorses the Confederacy, therefore racism. Mr. Clyburn, please keep up the good work and we pray much your strength!"--John H. Adams, 87th Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church

"Teddy Roosevelt famously praised 'the man in the arena.' Jim Clyburn's inspirational memoir clearly shows the achievements of a man who has lived his life battling in the arena--a master

politician and leading figure in the civil rights movement in South Carolina, reflecting on his life and motivations."

-- Former U.S. senator Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings

"Jim Clyburn's book Blessed Experiences has captured not just the history of this tireless leader's more-than-four decades in public service, but also a sense of the times. His professional life, which stretches from the Civil Rights Act to his current leadership position in the U.S. Congress, reflects the progress of the nation. While Jim has broken many barriers as the most significant African American member of Congress, his true success comes from his approach to collaboration on the national issues, as well as his ability to understand the needs of the constituency that he represents."--Warren Buffett

"A remarkable chronicle of a remarkable life, Blessed Experiences provides a vivid and unforgettable portrait of the Jim Crow South on the eve of its extinction and of a man dedicated to bringing its oppression and injustice to an end. James Clyburn helps us remember our all-too-recent past and the struggles and sacrifices he and so many others endured to build a better world for us all."--Drew Gilpin Faust, President and Lincoln Professor of History, Harvard University

"Blessed Experience: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black" by Congressman James Clyburn is a revelation. This candid autobiography not only charts Clyburn's improbable rise to senior leadership positions in the House of Representatives but also powerfully illuminates America's struggle to free itself from the despair and discrimination that accompanied Jim Crow segregation. Clyburn's words make clear how central the role of local and grass roots activism was in the struggle to find racial justice in places like South Carolina, and helps us better understand the origins of Clyburn's lifelong commitment to help America became a country where fairness and equality trump bigotry and hopelessness. "--Lonnie G. Bunch, Founding Director, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

"There are few people with more character and integrity, or who have lived a more interesting and dynamic life, than Jim Clyburn. He has great insight, and it's been my honor to serve with him."--Vice President Joe Biden

Debra L. Lee

Congressman James Clyburn has displayed a rare mix of wisdom, wit and compassion throughout his illustrious career. He's been a pillar of the community and well-respected representative of the people whether he's on the House floor or at the annual fish fry back in his district. He's a tireless statesman and true Southern gentleman who has demonstrated that he has the courage to challenge conventional wisdom, the political clout to build consensus, and the unwavering commitment to be a champion for those whose agenda is to reach higher ground.

Editorial Reviews

One of the ten best black books of 2014

The Skanner

Jim Clyburn's book Blessed Experiences has captured not just the history of this tireless leader's more-than-four decades in public service, but also a sense of the times. His professional life, which stretches from the Civil Rights Act to his current leadership position in the U.S. Congress, reflects the progress of the nation. While Jim has broken many barriers as the most significant African American member of Congress, his true success comes from his approach to collaboration on the national issues, as well as his ability to understand the needs of the constituency that he represents.

Warren Buffett

A most welcome memoir by a remarkable role model of unquestioned character.

Kam Williams

There are few people with more character and integrity, or who have lived a more interesting and dynamic life, than Jim Clyburn. He has great insight, and it's been my honor to serve with him.

Joe Biden

Teddy Roosevelt famously praised 'the man in the arena.' Jim Clyburn's inspirational memoir clearly shows the achievements of a man who has lived his life battling in the arena—a master—politician and leading figure in the civil rights movement in South Carolina, reflecting on his life and motivations.

Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings

A most welcome memoir by a remarkable role model of unquestioned character. -- Kam Williams


One of the ten best black books of 2014--The Skanner


Blessed Experiences by James E. Clyburn, Silver Medal Winner for Autobiography/Memoir I (celebrity) in the 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards


Inspired and inspiring, Blessed Experiences is informative reading and highly recommended for both community and academic library Black Studies and American Biography collections. -- James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review


Jim Clyburn s book Blessed Experiences has captured not just the history of this tireless leader s more-than-four decades in public service, but also a sense of the times. His professional life, which stretches from the Civil Rights Act to his current leadership position in the U.S. Congress, reflects the progress of the nation. While Jim has broken many barriers as the most significant African American member of Congress, his true success comes from his approach to collaboration on the national issues, as well as his ability to understand the needs of the constituency that he represents. Warren Buffett


Congressman James Clyburn has displayed a rare mix of wisdom, wit and compassion throughout his illustrious career. He s been a pillar of the community and well-respected representative of the people whether he s on the House floor or at the annual fish fry back in his district. He's a tireless statesman and true Southern gentleman who has demonstrated that he has the courage to challenge conventional wisdom, the political clout to build consensus, and the unwavering commitment to be a champion for those whose agenda is to reach higher ground. Debra L. Lee, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks


There are few people with more character and integrity, or who have lived a more interesting and dynamic life, than Jim Clyburn. He has great insight, and it s been my honor to serve with him. Joe Biden


A remarkable chronicle of a remarkable life, Blessed Experiences provides a vivid and unforgettable portrait of the Jim Crow South on the eve of its extinction and of a man dedicated to bringing its oppression and injustice to an end. James Clyburn helps us remember our all-too-recent past and the struggles and sacrifices he and so many others endured to build a better world for us all. Drew Gilpin Faust, President and Lincoln Professor of History, Harvard University


Blessed Experience: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black is a revelation. This candid autobiography not only charts Clyburn s improbable rise to senior leadership positions in the House of Representatives but also powerfully illuminates America s struggle to free itself from the despair and discrimination that accompanied Jim Crow segregation. Clyburn s words make clear how central the role of local and grass roots activism was in the struggle to find racial justice in places like South Carolina, and helps us better understand the origins of Clyburn s lifelong commitment to help America became a country where fairness and equality trump bigotry and hopelessness. Lonnie G. Bunch, Founding Director, Smithsonian s National Museum of African American History and Culture

From the Publisher

2014-05-06
South Carolina congressman Clyburn recounts a long and productive, if occasionally frustrating, life in politics, providing a fine primer for anyone thinking of entering the arena.That fight over the Confederate flag flying over the capitol in Columbia? Clyburn, who has represented his district in Washington since 1992, was there for it, and he took heat from both sides for attempting a rational compromise. (Remember the days of rational compromise?) He notes, quietly but firmly, that the neo-Confederates were disingenuous in their claims for the banner, a modification of the "navy jack" that the Ku Klux Klan found appealing a couple of decades after the war, and he suggests that it's a bovine attachment to heritage—"a heritage of slavery," that is—that kept them wedded to it. Recalling his long path from would-be college athlete (he didn't have the speed for baseball) to actor and debater to political aide, Clyburn shows again and again how politics is done: It's all about the art of the deal and reminding those for whom you've done favors that they owe you; of one such negotiation with fellow representative Corrine Brown, the author writes, "I only half jokingly told her that I would let her know at some undetermined point in the future what my price would be." Clyburn almost always has a kind or at least gentle word to say about even his staunchest opponents, provided he finds them to hold principles. If they do not, then he's not shy of speaking his mind, as when he writes of former governor Mark Sanford, "regardless of the effort, he always seemed to be several days late and millions of dollars short."Well-written and thoughtful, Clyburn's memoir offers valuable fly-on-the-wall notes on how politics can be conducted in a healthy way and at an effective level.

Kirkus Reviews