Scan barcode
hispoetry's review
5.0
This book is truly thought provoking and call us into action for justice. I believe it is a must read!
melg0378's review
4.0
This book for white progressives and liberals with an underlying Christian viewpoint. The author speaks on the history while weaving concerns for Black & Brown people today. If you are white I suggest you reading this book and opening yourself to your privilege.
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: This is is a book well worth reading. It opens with an excellent summary of history and review of the issues that have perpetuated and encouraged racism and inequality in the US. Then it moves to theology and diagnoses the problem as an overly individualistic understanding of our faith and a rejection of justice in this world as an important feature to our faith. He ends with a discussion of privilege and practical steps of how we can help resolve relationship, minimize our own racist actions and empower those around us that are too often ignored.
But, and I think it is a pretty big but, I am not sure that the book will be understood by many. Wytsma I think is theologically right here. But many that currently reject issues of race and inequality as important will reject his theology as outside of their bounds of Christianity and therefore reject his history, sociology and prescriptions because they reject his theology.
I do not know what we do with that. It is overly simplified to be a 'liberal' issue. Wytsma's quoting of James Cone and his discussion of justice as essential to the gospel, while good and theologically right in my mind, means that he will be dismissed as 'focused on identity politics' or 'marxist analysis'.
That being said, 'liberals' are not necessarily better at race issues. So even if this is a book that only impacts the left side of the evangelical world, it will still be important.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/myth-of-equality/
But, and I think it is a pretty big but, I am not sure that the book will be understood by many. Wytsma I think is theologically right here. But many that currently reject issues of race and inequality as important will reject his theology as outside of their bounds of Christianity and therefore reject his history, sociology and prescriptions because they reject his theology.
I do not know what we do with that. It is overly simplified to be a 'liberal' issue. Wytsma's quoting of James Cone and his discussion of justice as essential to the gospel, while good and theologically right in my mind, means that he will be dismissed as 'focused on identity politics' or 'marxist analysis'.
That being said, 'liberals' are not necessarily better at race issues. So even if this is a book that only impacts the left side of the evangelical world, it will still be important.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/myth-of-equality/
drbobcornwall's review
5.0
We live in strange times. There is both conversation about the problem of white privilege and claims that white men are being discriminated against. Which is it? When the Black Lives Matter movement emerged after the shooting of Michael Brown was shot by a white police officer, many White Americans responded with All Lives Matter. This response, while sounding egalitarian, failed to recognize that in our country the powers and principalities have valued white lives more than black and brown lives. The current immigration debate is another expression of this issue.
Ken Wytsma is a White Evangelical minister who has chosen to address the problem that seems to be running rampant in his own community. Wytsma is the founder of The Justice Conference and President of Kilns College. He wrote the book at the request of an editor at InterVarsity Press after he gave a speech on privilege. I found the book to be honest and compelling. It speaks to a problem that continues to roil our nation. We speak of equality and yet much of our history is filled with examples that speak otherwise.
It is unfortunate that we must continually talk about race and racism. I admit it's uncomfortable admitting to privilege. I want to think of myself as innocent of bias and prejudice. I want to believe that I've earned what I have. The reality is, despite growing up in a home without a lot of money, we did have a home on a safe street in a nice part of town. Not everyone had that opportunity, sometimes simply because the rules stood against them. Even though rules have changed, the legacy continues.
Wytsma divides his book into three parts. The first part has to do with "the story of race." It's a story many have heard, but need to hear again. One of the things we need to hear is that racism is a rather new phenomenon, but one that was used in developing a doctrine of discovery and imperial conquest. It was used ultimately to enslave. In time it appealed to science.. We gave scientific validation to differences in skin color and hair texture. He talks about how governmental policies helped create a segregated population in the cities, policies such as redlining.
That's part one. Part two, takes a more spiritual look at things. He explores the question of equality in conversation with the kingdom of God. He calls on fellow evangelicals to look closely at how they understand the Gospel, noting that it has important social justice implications. Finally n part three he addresses the challenge of privilege. Most specifically how "racism went underground." While are seeing a resurgence of racist talk, for the most part people have found other more subtle ways of expressing racism. He speaks of implicit bias that causes us to look others with suspicion. We make assumptions about people, such as Blacks are lazy or prone to violence. Then we act in response. The good news is that implicit bias can be dealt with. We just have to look inside and recognize where it is present. Part of that, is to recognize privilege on the part of White Americans.
I believe this book should be read, not only be White Evangelicals, but by all Christians. It can open up conversations. I was in a conversation with an African American pastor about race and the church. He told me that I'm one of the few White pastors he has been able to have that conversation with. Maybe this book can empower more conversation so that someday we can get to the point where all lives matter. But first we have to recognize those lives that have historically not been valued. Here is a starting point for that conversation.
Ken Wytsma is a White Evangelical minister who has chosen to address the problem that seems to be running rampant in his own community. Wytsma is the founder of The Justice Conference and President of Kilns College. He wrote the book at the request of an editor at InterVarsity Press after he gave a speech on privilege. I found the book to be honest and compelling. It speaks to a problem that continues to roil our nation. We speak of equality and yet much of our history is filled with examples that speak otherwise.
It is unfortunate that we must continually talk about race and racism. I admit it's uncomfortable admitting to privilege. I want to think of myself as innocent of bias and prejudice. I want to believe that I've earned what I have. The reality is, despite growing up in a home without a lot of money, we did have a home on a safe street in a nice part of town. Not everyone had that opportunity, sometimes simply because the rules stood against them. Even though rules have changed, the legacy continues.
Wytsma divides his book into three parts. The first part has to do with "the story of race." It's a story many have heard, but need to hear again. One of the things we need to hear is that racism is a rather new phenomenon, but one that was used in developing a doctrine of discovery and imperial conquest. It was used ultimately to enslave. In time it appealed to science.. We gave scientific validation to differences in skin color and hair texture. He talks about how governmental policies helped create a segregated population in the cities, policies such as redlining.
That's part one. Part two, takes a more spiritual look at things. He explores the question of equality in conversation with the kingdom of God. He calls on fellow evangelicals to look closely at how they understand the Gospel, noting that it has important social justice implications. Finally n part three he addresses the challenge of privilege. Most specifically how "racism went underground." While are seeing a resurgence of racist talk, for the most part people have found other more subtle ways of expressing racism. He speaks of implicit bias that causes us to look others with suspicion. We make assumptions about people, such as Blacks are lazy or prone to violence. Then we act in response. The good news is that implicit bias can be dealt with. We just have to look inside and recognize where it is present. Part of that, is to recognize privilege on the part of White Americans.
I believe this book should be read, not only be White Evangelicals, but by all Christians. It can open up conversations. I was in a conversation with an African American pastor about race and the church. He told me that I'm one of the few White pastors he has been able to have that conversation with. Maybe this book can empower more conversation so that someday we can get to the point where all lives matter. But first we have to recognize those lives that have historically not been valued. Here is a starting point for that conversation.
tammiegitt's review
5.0
Wytsma takes the reader on a journey through the history of the country's racial divide beginning at the founding of the nation, moving through Reconstruction and Jim Crow, and finishing with the social structures that promote privilege today.
As the book progresses, Wytsma uses Scripture to show how racism - whether personal or systemic - is anathema to the Christian message encapsulated in Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But he doesn't leave the reader hanging there. He spends significant time near the conclusion of the book offering constructive ways to approach the problems.
Wytsma's work has provided a crucial foundation to my own understanding of racial issues, and given me at least a start on the knowledge I need to have meaningful conversations with others. I'd recommend The Myth of Equality to anyone seeking to understand the issues.
** I received a copy of The Myth of Equality free in exchange for an unbiased review. **
As the book progresses, Wytsma uses Scripture to show how racism - whether personal or systemic - is anathema to the Christian message encapsulated in Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But he doesn't leave the reader hanging there. He spends significant time near the conclusion of the book offering constructive ways to approach the problems.
Wytsma's work has provided a crucial foundation to my own understanding of racial issues, and given me at least a start on the knowledge I need to have meaningful conversations with others. I'd recommend The Myth of Equality to anyone seeking to understand the issues.
** I received a copy of The Myth of Equality free in exchange for an unbiased review. **
k_b00kish's review
4.0
Candid accounting of how privilege and racism are embedded within society, religion, from a conservative evangelical minister.
10_4tina's review
4.0
This was a good book. Ken Wystma offers a perspective on White fragility that is accessible to the evangelical church in America. I think this is a great resource for White Christians to ease into difficult and convicting conversations surrounding race. Wystma does not water down the truth, but is approachable. Though he acknowledges his own limitations as a White man of privilege, he does highlight the importance of silencing one's self to elevate and share one's privileged platform with underrepresented voices.
Bonus points, he quotes other good ones like Miraslav Volf, Soong-Chan Rah, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
I read this one alongside a couple other similar books, including WHITE FRAGILITY and appreciated the Christian emphasis in this book, especially the ways the author notes how the church has failed to corporately confess the sins regarding racism, lament the historical pain inflicted upon people of color, and fight relentlessly for justice. In bringing to light these shortcomings and sins, he calls Christians to change this pattern now.
Bonus points, he quotes other good ones like Miraslav Volf, Soong-Chan Rah, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
I read this one alongside a couple other similar books, including WHITE FRAGILITY and appreciated the Christian emphasis in this book, especially the ways the author notes how the church has failed to corporately confess the sins regarding racism, lament the historical pain inflicted upon people of color, and fight relentlessly for justice. In bringing to light these shortcomings and sins, he calls Christians to change this pattern now.