In this provocative book Jennifer Harvey argues for a radical shift in how justice-committed white Christians think about race. She calls for moving away from the reconciliation paradigm that currentl
In this provocative book Jennifer Harvey argues for a radical shift in how justice-committed white Christians think about race. She calls for moving away from the reconciliation paradigm that currently dominates interracial relations and embracing instead a reparations paradigm.
Harvey presents an insightful historical analysis of the painful fissures that emerged among activist Christians toward the end of the Civil Rights movement, and she shows the necessity of bringing "white" racial identity into clear view in order to counter today's oppressive social structures.
A deeply constructive, hopeful work, Dear White Christians will help readers envision new racial possibilities, including concrete examples of contemporary reparations initiatives. This book is for any who care about the gospel call to justice but feel stuck trying to get there, given the ongoing prevalence of deep racial divisions in the church and society at large.
W atch a 2015 interview with the author:
Marginalia
"Compelling. . . . An excellent contribution in terms of showing the way forward on racial justice issues."
Sojourners
"One of the clearest and most succinct diagnoses of the inadequacies of the popular reconciliation paradigm."
Brian Bantum
— Seattle Pacific University
"This powerful book displays the subversive possibilities of confession and calls the church beyond good intentions in the work of racial justice. A truly original work."
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
— author of Strangers at My Door
"A gospel for white people, this book calls for nothing less than laying down the trump card of reconciliation for the sake of true repentance and conversion. Jennifer Harvey is proclaiming truth. Listen to her."
Reggie L. Williams
— author of Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance
"One of the most valuable contributions to the work of anti-racism in recent years. Harvey demonstrates with compelling accuracy and clarity why popular Christian dialogue about racial reconciliation does not work but in fact only serves to reinscribe historic, systemic problems. . . . Provides readers with an accessible study of a way forward."
Lisa Sharon Harper
— coauthor of Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith
"Dear White Christians is a must-read. This kind of unflinching analysis is both rare and powerful. Through thorough analysis coupled with prophetic vision, Harvey decodes the mystery of the failure of the `racial reconciliation' movement and offers clear direction forward toward the repair of our racialized society. All seminarians and pastors should read this book. And if every person in the pews of white churches read Harvey's love letter to them, then our nation might actually have a chance to realize Dr. King's vision of the beloved community."
Eboni Marshall Turman
— author of Toward a Womanist Ethic of Incarnation
"A timely and indispensable contribution to the field of Christian social ethics. Harvey offers a reparations paradigm as the first step toward racial healing in the church. . . . An essential read for those who love the body of Christ and yearn for justice."
The Presbyterian Outlook
"A provocative analysis of the current state of race relations. . . . For those who are willing to look deeply into our history — to remember, to repent and to repair — this book is a most valuable resource."
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