Fox News senior political analyst Juan Williams has announced his newest book, "New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement," which will be published in January 2025 by Simon & Schuster. The book is a follow-up to Williams' bestselling 1987 civil rights history book, "Eyes on the Prize."
Juan Williams, a Fox News senior political analyst, has announced his newest book, "New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement," which will be published in January 2025 by Simon & Schuster. The book is a follow-up to Williams' bestselling 1987 civil rights history book, "Eyes on the Prize."
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Williams said that he believes we are in a new phase of race relations in America. "It's a new movement. But people don't see that. People can get lost in the politics and the personalities of the moment."
Juan Williams Announces New Book on America's Second Civil Rights Movement
However, Williams believes that by stepping back, we can see that there is something new happening, and that we are all a part of it. "All of us, every one of us, are involved in this history," he said.
Williams points to the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as markers of this new era. "We talk about those historical markers, and we recognize them — but I think it's harder when we're living through a new political and civil rights dynamic to say, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm right in the middle of this.'"
Juan Williams Announces New Book on America's Second Civil Rights Movement
Williams believes that by paying attention to politics on a daily basis, he has been able to recognize that "there is something larger going on here. And I think it takes a book to help people open their eyes to their place in American history."
This is not just a Black American or other minority story, Williams said. "I hope that all Americans, all people in this country," said Williams, "will be able to say after they read this book, ‘Oh my gosh. I am a historic figure.’ And see themselves as actors in this moment of creating American history. And I don't mean just Black Americans. I'm saying that White Americans are very much at the forefront of this movement."
Juan Williams Announces New Book on America's Second Civil Rights Movement
Williams said he believes it is worth remembering the George Floyd protests. "Those were the largest protests in American history, and the majority of the people out there were Whites — so I think lots of people might think, ‘Oh, this is about race. It must be intended for a Black or Latino or Asian audience.' But no," he said.
Without "White Americans pushing for change, it wouldn't happen," said Williams.
Juan Williams Announces New Book on America's Second Civil Rights Movement
While writing the book, Williams said he realized that "you don't have what's going on now with race relations in America unless you have an understanding that White Americans remain the majority of the population — and that there is a large group of Whites who are very involved in creating this moment of social change. And they are joined by a large population of Hispanics and Blacks."
Williams is the author of a biography of former Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, as well as many other books. He noted that "one of the sad points about this moment in American life is that political polarization drives people into corners, and it drives our public view of people into niches."
The truth is that we should "remove these overlays and say, 'Wait a second. We're all blessed to be living in this country. Look at the opportunity that exists here in the United States. We also have common values.' And the reason that so many people are dying to get into this country is because not only is there the opportunity, but it is a vital, vibrant place to be."
Williams pointed to the U.S.'s superior military power but "also that we're an economic power, a cultural power — and we're an example when it comes to race for much of the world."
The new book will reveal why today's civil rights movement, according to Williams, "is different than the first movement’s focus on legal battles in the courtroom and legislative victories in Congress. Today’s activists are making history in a new political, economic and cultural landscape. And they're using a new media and more educated people to do so."
