One of the significant ways to respond to the current events in our country is to be willing to engage and learn more about the reality of racism. The following resources have been helpful to me.
Books:
Biographies/Memoirs
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History, this book is dense but it masterfully weaves Douglass’ personal history with America’s struggle against slavery. This biography traces Douglass’ life story from being born into slavery to becoming one of the most important figures in American history.
Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness by Jennifer Berry Hawes
This book recounts the horrific 2015 murders at the historically black Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina and the church’s response, which ultimately highlights difficult issues of race and gun violence in the South.
Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Spiritual Life by Nancy Koester
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a book that helped end slavery in America. This book focuses on her deep Christian faith.
I Will Not Fear by Melba Pattillo Beals
In 1957, Melba Beals was chosen to be one of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This memoir provides a vivid picture of those dark days and details how Beals’ faith gave her strength to endure.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
A memoir recalling the founding of the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit that works to address injustices against persons of color in the U.S. legal system.
Theology
America’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis
Wallis argues that the original sin present at the beginning of the United States of America is slavery. It raises difficult but important issues about slavery, race and religion in America.
The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
This book explores the theological symbolism of the cross and the lynching tree. Lynching references the actions of mobs who hung, tortured and/or mutilated people, primarily black Americans, between 1882 and 1968.
Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice by Eric Mason
Written by a friend and classmate from our days at Dallas Theological Seminary, Woke Church calls the church to respond to issues of racism in our communities and our churches.
Websites:
TonyEvans.org (Dr. Evans was our pastor for several years when we lived in Dallas.)
Lisa