scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
Used this as material for a study group at the church I work for. Perfect for that format (it's short, clear, with accompanying questions for each chapter though we didn't end up using those). We found it immensely inspiring and led to fruitful conversation about how we (all white people in that group) push ourselves further in anti-racism work, in ourselves and in our communities.
I read her autobiography ("Crusade for Justice") at the same time and that was an excellent accompaniment.
I read her autobiography ("Crusade for Justice") at the same time and that was an excellent accompaniment.
melanie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Coronavirus (update: Coronavirus + Rebellion 2020) book review #42 – 4 stars
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, and while extremely thought-provoking, the style was much different than I anticipated.
The two authors (one a Black Woman, the other a White Man, both born in the same county in segregated Arkansas, worlds apart) alternate writing chapters that conclude with a list of discussion questions. A biography of Ida B. Wells and her incredible work this is not.
There’s so much to unpack in this slim book, where to begin. Like many white people this year, I’ve expanded my reading and thinking life to better understand how I play a role in systemic racism.
Probably one of the more surprising ideas I’ve uncovered is the difference between White Jesus and Black Jesus. [Any Black person reading this is probably like d’uh but here my white self is in 2020 exploring it.]
I’ve never been particularly religious for many reasons, but it’s becoming more and more clear to me why I am not – White Jesus isn’t my cup of tea. The authors, both religious scholars, explain that White Jesus focuses on the individual salvation, of the type that allows someone to both be a “good person” while simultaneously justifying slavery and Jim Crow. In contrast, Black Jesus is a life-affirming force in the community to uplift.
The other hard truth offered up quite pointedly is that we [white people] were taught racism by the good people who loved us. And that to recover is much the same as being a recovering alcoholic. My name is Melanie and I’m a recovering racist. I must continually take steps to maintain my sobriety lest I slip back into my racist ways.
Let’s make ourselves uncomfortable in these conversations, even if they’re mostly with ourselves.
Cheers 2020, it’s been a hell of a year.
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, and while extremely thought-provoking, the style was much different than I anticipated.
The two authors (one a Black Woman, the other a White Man, both born in the same county in segregated Arkansas, worlds apart) alternate writing chapters that conclude with a list of discussion questions. A biography of Ida B. Wells and her incredible work this is not.
There’s so much to unpack in this slim book, where to begin. Like many white people this year, I’ve expanded my reading and thinking life to better understand how I play a role in systemic racism.
Probably one of the more surprising ideas I’ve uncovered is the difference between White Jesus and Black Jesus. [Any Black person reading this is probably like d’uh but here my white self is in 2020 exploring it.]
I’ve never been particularly religious for many reasons, but it’s becoming more and more clear to me why I am not – White Jesus isn’t my cup of tea. The authors, both religious scholars, explain that White Jesus focuses on the individual salvation, of the type that allows someone to both be a “good person” while simultaneously justifying slavery and Jim Crow. In contrast, Black Jesus is a life-affirming force in the community to uplift.
The other hard truth offered up quite pointedly is that we [white people] were taught racism by the good people who loved us. And that to recover is much the same as being a recovering alcoholic. My name is Melanie and I’m a recovering racist. I must continually take steps to maintain my sobriety lest I slip back into my racist ways.
Let’s make ourselves uncomfortable in these conversations, even if they’re mostly with ourselves.
Cheers 2020, it’s been a hell of a year.
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