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How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice by Jemar Tisby
hoey's review against another edition
2.0
This book is mediocre at best. As many have said, this book feels like an afterthought to The Color of Compromise. Jemar writes banal half-measures that boil down to lobby to get statues removed in your city, and tell your friends that you grew up in a white supremacist culture because one of your friends made a racist joke at the lunch table when you were 7.
Jemar's version of "Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice", is an empty platitude at best. The theology of this book is "God is love" deep as the Biblical references are shallow and lack substantial meaning. There are no solid references or exegesis to Paul's letter's to the Galatians or the Ephesians or Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well or his parable of the good Samaritan, actually good and meaningful Biblical resources on race. Instead he'll share an out of context bible verse while making multiple appeals to authority instead the obvious Christian route of using the words of the ultimate authority, Jesus Christ.
The courageousness he talks about is just as shallow as his theology. It is based on what he calls ARC: Awareness, Relationships, Commitment which basically boils down to this:
- learn establishment history from tenured academics in their ivory tower who have no incentive to be accurate because they have tenure and power over the conversation
- then, you must evangelize to your friends about how important race is because the academics said so
It seems Jemar is too scared to actually call for a fight for change. If America is systemically racist, wouldn't the proper call be to tear down the whole institution? For whatever reason, he refrains from telling his readers this and instead wants to go with the easy route of having hard conversations. It seems to me that if there is some sort of power that can institute awful things like slavery, Jim Crow, Red-lining, etc, then there is a problem with the power. Having tough conversations with friends isn't going to fix racism. Getting the "right" people in charge isn't going to fix it (also good luck with that, the state isn't interested in helping people out). What fixes things is a radical shake up of the powers that be.
This is a self-help book for the white, college-educated, liberal elites that are convinced that the white guilt they feel is representative of the population as a whole.
With a subtitle of "Courageous Christianity", I was expecting something a lot more life changing than CNN and New York Times' corporate talking points.
Jemar's version of "Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice", is an empty platitude at best. The theology of this book is "God is love" deep as the Biblical references are shallow and lack substantial meaning. There are no solid references or exegesis to Paul's letter's to the Galatians or the Ephesians or Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well or his parable of the good Samaritan, actually good and meaningful Biblical resources on race. Instead he'll share an out of context bible verse while making multiple appeals to authority instead the obvious Christian route of using the words of the ultimate authority, Jesus Christ.
The courageousness he talks about is just as shallow as his theology. It is based on what he calls ARC: Awareness, Relationships, Commitment which basically boils down to this:
- learn establishment history from tenured academics in their ivory tower who have no incentive to be accurate because they have tenure and power over the conversation
- then, you must evangelize to your friends about how important race is because the academics said so
It seems Jemar is too scared to actually call for a fight for change. If America is systemically racist, wouldn't the proper call be to tear down the whole institution? For whatever reason, he refrains from telling his readers this and instead wants to go with the easy route of having hard conversations. It seems to me that if there is some sort of power that can institute awful things like slavery, Jim Crow, Red-lining, etc, then there is a problem with the power. Having tough conversations with friends isn't going to fix racism. Getting the "right" people in charge isn't going to fix it (also good luck with that, the state isn't interested in helping people out). What fixes things is a radical shake up of the powers that be.
This is a self-help book for the white, college-educated, liberal elites that are convinced that the white guilt they feel is representative of the population as a whole.
With a subtitle of "Courageous Christianity", I was expecting something a lot more life changing than CNN and New York Times' corporate talking points.
emilyhope7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
laurabrantreads's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, Tisby has dissected the complicated issue of racism in a manner that is profound and approachable. His perspective as a historian gives context to how institutional racism is in all aspects of our American society, including religious organizations of all shapes and sizes. In Tisby's first book, The Color of Compromise, he gives a survey of racism in the religious institution of the church. In this, his second book, Tisby emphasizes the practical with many suggestions for fighting racism. The fight requires engaging the heart and head. It occurs in the context of relationships, while we personally increase our awareness, and join with others in collective action to change systems. Tisby hits all these notes. I am grateful for Tisby's "prophetic imagination" in leading us forward in fighting for the freedom of all humanity.
xhuynh1's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
mospark's review against another edition
5.0
Jemar Tisby’s book "How To Fight Racism" is a welcomed guide for Christians and non-Christians alike in a time when many pastors are still electing silence and “preach the Gospel” rhetoric over public condemnation of racism as evil sin.
Drawing from his own experiences with racial justice and the church, Tisby understands where his readers are and what they might be faced with. Tisby give clear directives for fighting racial injustice without inciting violence and anger. And all the while, making space for the inevitable anger you will feel when faced with racism, especially Blacks and other people of color.
Tisby not only addresses the white Christian, but also Black people, people of color, and non-Christians throughout the book. He lays out practical plans for people and organizations at every level and gives advice on how individuals can take the fight to each level. "How to Fight Racism" bridges the gap between Christians and non-Christians and allows them to work side-by-side to fight a common enemy: racism.
Drawing from his own experiences with racial justice and the church, Tisby understands where his readers are and what they might be faced with. Tisby give clear directives for fighting racial injustice without inciting violence and anger. And all the while, making space for the inevitable anger you will feel when faced with racism, especially Blacks and other people of color.
Tisby not only addresses the white Christian, but also Black people, people of color, and non-Christians throughout the book. He lays out practical plans for people and organizations at every level and gives advice on how individuals can take the fight to each level. "How to Fight Racism" bridges the gap between Christians and non-Christians and allows them to work side-by-side to fight a common enemy: racism.
whipsmile's review against another edition
5.0
Truly wonderful. Will read again. After reading this I feel like I just got out of Church Service where the preacher presented a sermon that I needed to hear at that exact time.
Amen.
Amen.
thislibrarianisreading's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0