How do we find hope, particularly in white American churches, when our history and identity is intertwined with racism? How does knowing who we were—and who we are—help us move toward justice and who we want to become? I talk with historian Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise, about racism’s past and present reality, his sense of a growing darkness, and also where he sees hope.

Show Notes:
Jemar Tisby is a Christian, historian, speaker, a New York Times best-selling author, and co-host of the Pass the Mic podcast. Connect with him online: jemartisby.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“We can’t heal what we don’t reveal.”

“Not knowing our history or misremembering our history—telling part of the story—is actually an assault on our identity. We don’t get the full picture of who we are, whether as a corporate body as a church or as individuals.”

“Our own racial history as a church is about our identity. It’s about how we were, who we are, who we want to become.”

“If you want to talk about threats to Christianity, particularly in the United States, we need to talk about Christian nationalism.”Continuing the conversation:

• Join this book study: The Color of Compromise book study group on Facebook
• Pre-Order Jemar’s new book: How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice
• Learn more: The Witness—a black Christian collective that engages issues of religion, race, justice, and culture from a biblical perspective
• Give: The Witness Foundation—identifying, training, and funding the next generation of Black Christian leaders

IN THE PODCAST:
Scripture references: 10 Commandments, King David, Ephesians 3, Paul on Mars Hill

Individuals, books, and concepts: 

• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail
• John Lewis
• Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
• Ta-Nehisi Coates
• John Meacham’s The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels
• Bree Newsome
• Critical Race Theory

White Picket Fences, Season 3 of Love is Stronger Than Fear, is based on my book White Picket Fences. Check out free RESOURCES—action guide, discussion guides—that are designed to help you respond. Learn more about my writing and speaking at amyjuliabecker.com.

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Thanks for listening!