Henry Ford’s Antisemitism: New Article Explores Dark Side of Legacy

Bill McGraw, editor of the Dearborn Historian, joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson.

Jake Neher/WDET

Henry Ford was an anti-Semite. And not in a passive way. He actively worked to marginalize and discriminate against Jews here in Michigan and around the globe.

Many people know that. Some don’t.

But historian and journalist Bill McGraw thought everyone could use a refresher. He wrote a lengthy article about it for the 100th anniversary of Ford’s purchase of a weekly newspaper that he used to spread his bigoted beliefs.

Officials in Dearborn aren’t happy. They have apparently blocked print publication in the Dearborn Historian, which is now owned by the city.

McGraw joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk about the article and the reaction so far.

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.