This is perhaps one of the most accessible, clear, and gentle book you might read about the history of, and acceptance of, white supremacy and black abasement of the American nation and in the American church.
Tisby is an historian and does not shave meaning or impact by using soft words. When you read this, you understand what he is saying, directly: racism in the American church was, and is, a deliberate choice. Nothing that has happened so far had to happen.
But the good news is that our American nation and our American church can be changed by the actions of interested and committed people.
I would expect that some people might feel this book is personally distasteful or even animated against them–“We are good people. Why do we get told that we’re racist?”
Tisby is not attacking. He is describing, carefully, what it means to be American, to be Christian, and to be racist, and how the third leg of this stool does not need to remain unchanged. It is possible to be American and Christian and to be committed to social justice and racial equality.
I imagine it might be hard to read for some people–and I’m one of those people. It is never fun to look into the mirror and see the flaws. But, it is delightful to see the flaws and then to see ways to remove those flaws and become more just, more fair, more equal, and more loving.
Pick this up, and spend some time reading.