Reviews
By Pam Hinrichs
Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.
Beyond race, class, or other factors, a powerful caste system influences people's lives and behavior and the nation's fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, and stigma. Using stories about real people, she shows the way the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their outcasting of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against.
by Maggie Ford
Synopsis
From a Social Science lens, Cleveland breaks down some of the key points of division within the Christian Church and offers tools to overcome them. Some of these include the divide among "Right Christians and Wrong Christians", categorization, our personal "in groups" (close friends), bias, and culture. Cleveland comes from a place of observation, but also a deep love for the Christian Church. Through these key factors, Cleveland strives to teach us (as Christians) how to first address these divides, how to overcome them, and how to love each other better, just as Christ loves us.
by Katie Boland
Jemar Tisby says, "Fighting racism does not consist of a set of isolated actions that you take; rather these actions must flow from an entire disposition that is oriented toward racial justice. We have to reposition ourselves spiritually, emotionally, culturally, intellectually, and politically to address the myriad ways that racism manifests itself in the present day. Racial justice is a lifestyle not an agenda item." or to put it another way, "Fighting racism is not just about how it changes the world; it's also about how it changes you." I have certainly found this to be true in my own life.
By Grace Brown
Synopsis
The response of white Christians to address racial blind spots and assumptions often defaults in white communities and churches to try to become more racially diverse to solve the problems. Swanson asserts that the segregation within white Christianity is not actually a diversity problem, but really a discipleship problem. American culture disciples white Christianity toward racial segregation and injustice. Swanson encourages white Christians to honestly assess the damage done by misguided forms of discipleship. He then outlines a rethinking of discipleship practices, including new habits, teaching, and uncommon friendship, that can lead us into authentic solidarity as members of the diverse body of Christ. The reader finishes the book having reckoned with painful truths, bringing forth hope and a reorientation to the diverse kingdom of God.
by Grace H. Brown
Brief Summary
"Nice White Parents" is a five-part podcast series which chronicles building a better public school system and the many factors preventing that progress. The series examines what is "arguably the most powerful force:" the unwitting role of white parents in shaping and perpetuating inequalities in our public schools. Focused on the case study of public schools in New York City over several decades, the series details the missteps and microaggressions of "nice" white parents to improve local schools which result in real harm to the school system and its students.