Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation

by LaTasha Morrison, Daniel Hill (Foreword), Jennie Allen (Afterword)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ECPA BESTSELLER • “When it comes to the intersection of race, privilege, justice, and the church, Tasha is without question my best teacher. Be the Bridge is THE tool I wish to put in every set of hands.”—Jen Hatmaker WINNER OF THE CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD® • Winner of the Christianity Today Book Award • A leading advocate for racial reconciliation calls Christians to move toward deeper understanding in the midst of a divisive culture. In an era where we seem to be increasingly divided along racial lines, many are hesitant to step into the gap, fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. At times the silence, particularly within the church, seems deafening. But change begins with an honest conversation among a group of Christians willing to give a voice to unspoken hurts, hidden fears, and mounting tensions. These ongoing dialogues have formed the foundation of a global movement called Be the Bridge—a nonprofit organization whose goal is to equip the church to have a distinctive and transformative response to racism and racial division. In this perspective-shifting book, founder Latasha Morrison shows how you can participate in this incredible work and replicate it in your own community. With conviction and grace, she examines the historical complexities of racism. She expertly applies biblical principles, such as lamentation, confession, and forgiveness, to lay the framework for restoration. Along with prayers, discussion questions, and other resources to enhance group engagement, Be the Bridge presents a compelling vision of what it means for every follower of Jesus to become a bridge builder—committed to pursuing justice and racial unity in light of the gospel.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Race, Faith, Social Justice, Anti Racist, Audiobook

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Latasha Morrison is a bridge-builder, reconciler and a compelling voice in the fight for racial justice. When she speaks, she expresses a passion for social justice issues across the globe.

She has taken her message to audiences across the country at events that include: IF: Gathering, Justice Conference, Youth Specialties, Catalyst, Barna's State of Pastors Conference, Orange Conference, MOPS International and many others.

A native of North Carolina, Tasha earned degrees in human development and business leadership. After excelling in corporate positions, she began working on staff at churches in Georgia and Texas.

At the heart of this incredible woman is encouraging racial reconciliation among all ethnicities, to promote racial unity in America, and to develop others to do the same.

To this end, in 2016 Latasha founded Be the Bridge to inspire and equip ambassadors of racial reconciliation

Reviews

[Rachael Mantelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realize my review is among the vast minority on here, but I want to voice my concerns with this book that's becoming popular within many churches and urge readers to read the book with much discernment (as we should with any book promoting social justice).

Pros:

Morrison shares moments of American history that I was unaware of (Mary Turner's lynching, Tulsa massacre) and does a compelling job at sharing them; I'm not sure one can read the accounts and not feel grief over those atrocities. How some individuals could have been so evil and thought they were justified in their actions (or they simply didn't care) is beyond comprehension. 
I think Morrison has many good intentions for wanting to see reconciliation happen among people. Her accounts of BTB members Deanna is a beautiful example of the redemptive work of Christ, and I love that Deanna found a place to grow despite her family's past.  

Concerns:

1. Scripture taken out of context
Ezra and Daniel (both Jews, leader/prophet to their nations) lamented of the sins in their nation that were *actively* being committed. This is important to note when using the verses to attribute ancestral guilt to a society. Secondly, we need to acknowledge Ezra and Daniel being part of Israel's holy and set apart covenant with God. Can we truly say that America is a nation set apart by God as His chosen people? I don’t think so. Should current U.S. citizens abhor our history of slavery? Absolutely. But given the proper context of these passages, I don’t see how we can accurately apply Ezra and Daniel’s times of lamentations to corporately grieving and repenting over our country’s past. Maybe I wouldn't have as much of an issue if she were calling for only the Church to make amends with how they've historically treated Blacks (and some may do unintentionally, aka micro-aggressions, etc.),  but I don't see how Israel is analogous to a particular demographic group. Furthermore, the following verses say that the sins of one's forefathers aren't laid on us:
Deuteronomy 24:16
Ezekiel 18:20-22
Romans 5:12

More importantly, what NT verses tell us to take on shame and guilt especially when that guilt and shame is someone else's? Isn't the beauty of Jesus' death for believers in the fact that He bore every past, present, and future guilty and shameful act for us? Didn't he abolish the old covenant and allow individuals into a new and living covenant, free from guilt? To me, this book seems to be implementing a works based gospel . Morrison seems to believe that the only way Whites can seek to live in unity with Blacks is by first apologizing and repenting of our country's past sins before we can become reconciled. Sorry, but where in the NT does it say we have to do something outside of Christ's shed blood on the cross to become brothers and sisters in Christ? Her thinking almost sounds a bit blasphemous.

Zacchaeus *personally* stole from the people. He absolutely did the right thing in repaying those he cheated. In the Numbers example, it’s the same situation. This verse is explicitly stating that if one person robs from another, he must repay what has been stolen. I don’t think God had in mind present day America and white people when He gave this command. To use these verses as proof for “reparative commands in Scripture” seems like a sloppy application to me.

On a side note, affirmative action still exists today. You see it in all areas of employment and in schools/colleges. Blacks, in a sense, are even more protected (some even call it privileged) than Whites going into workplaces due to racial discrimination laws.


2. Incorrectly stated "facts"
Michael Brown was not murdered. To use the term 'murdered' is incorrect, but is common among the BLM narrative. “On March 4, 2015, the Obama Administration’s Justice Department issued an 86-page investigative report, based on testimony from 40 witnesses and a review of forensic evidence, on the shooting that concluded “there is no credible evidence that Wilson willfully shot Brown as he was attempting to surrender or was otherwise not posing a threat.”

Morrison states on page 142 that our government has never apologized for the wrongdoings of slavery. This is simply not true. In 2008, Congress, along with 9 states, issued an apology for the enslavement of African Americans and Jim Crow. 

3. White shaming throughout the book
“We’ve all played some part in the sin of white supremacy or racism or colorism.” (pg.134) That’s an awfully big assumption toward all Whites, one that's unfounded, and one that Morrison has no right pronouncing. Only God is able to know every heart. Some see her as actually being racist herself in the way she holds Whites' skin color against them and calls them privileged. Funny thing is, plenty of white people have not been born into privileged homes and have been labeled derogatory terms such as "white trash".
Where is her call for Blacks to grieve black gang violence, violent crimes done against non-black people, or the cost of the abandonment of black children by their fathers that leads to societal evil affecting all people? Did I miss where she called for the Blacks whose ancestors were slave owners to lament over their part in slavery? Or for all the African-Americans whose ancestors played a part in selling/trading their countrymen? 


My takeaway from the book is that Morrison believes every single white person is guilty of being racist or giving way to systemic racism either intentionally or indirectly, and if your skin color is white, you are simply not exempt from ancestral guilt; therefore all Whites must apologize. Ironically, this position comes across to me as Morrison being racist. In her view, Whites have always been the oppressor and Blacks have always been the oppressed (traces of CRT). However, showing partiality toward someone is an intentional act. Based on the biblical definition, one simply cannot be racist or inhibit white supremacy unintentionally.

4. CRT overtones
I highly recommend becoming aware of what CRT is and how it is becoming an insidious worldview preached in some churches today. Blogger Neil Shenvi has been a terrific starting place for me in understanding the worldview.
I don't know what the best answer is for us Bible-believing Christians in our role in "seeking justice" (Micah 6:8). I do know it's vital that we wisely discern where we may be trying to implement secular ideologies into our biblically centered worldview.

5. Other concerns
I found it surprising that Morrison repeatedly referred to her Latino friends as Latinx. For someone who's trying to reveal micro-aggressions and inconsiderate terms or phrases, does she not know that many Latinos find it inconsiderate and offensive when someone refers to them using this term? It's a controversial term and one that probably shouldn't be used in a book dealing with racial reconciliation. 

In referring to systemic racism, Morrison offers a narrow view on why she believes it still exists. While historical laws (Jim Crow, red-lining) caused initial inequality between whites and blacks, a major factor contributing to their current state is left out of the narrative: the family structure of Blacks and the high percentage of fatherlessness. It's important to note that one of the reasons Asians and Jews have accomplished so much despite the injustice - to put it mildly - done against them, is the importance they've put into having a strong family. Many Blacks acknowledge how family structure plays a key role in their circumstances (Candace Owens, Rob Smith, Samuel Sey, Marcellus Wiley, Denzel Washington, Thomas Sowell, Barack Obama, Larry Elder, to name a few).


Conclusion
I don't deny racism is real and still present in America. I read Just Mercy and wept multiple times upon reading the horrors of injustice committed upon Blacks. Bryan Stevenson is a powerful and beautiful voice for the powerless. I also don't believe racism will ever fully be eradicated, this side of heaven. Why? Because racism is a sin problem, this world is corrupt, and it's been around since Bible times. If there are churches who have historically been or are actively engaged in segregation/racism, pastors should call their congregation to repentance and reconciliation; though one must be discerning on how he approaches his congregation's historic role in segregation. This could inevitably lead to unhealthy shaming and inauthentic repentance. 

I simply didn't like the book as a whole (mainly for the reasons explained above) nor thought it was the most helpful in addressing the racism issue. I found it to be very one-sided. I have found the FB group (also found in YouTube) Center For Biblical Unity with Monique Duson to be much more helpful and biblically centered. Her group offers a much more biblical view of racial unity than this book does.

[AnnaScott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last April, I attended a conference in Montgomery, Alabama. Several of us from my department in undergrad were presenting at this conference, and when we weren't busy with that we were walking all over the city and seeing some of the museums and attractions. As the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, you can only imagine the depth and importance of their history. We walked through these museums that talked about the horrible injustices inflicted on human beings because of their skin color, and told the story of heroes such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. I realized that of all the places I have traveled and all of the museums I have gone through, this was the first time that the focal point was not on Caucasians, and I was shocked at how much this revelation taught me.  

Thus began my interest in racial division in America. Since then, I have read countless articles, watched documentaries, and even written a research paper for school on the topic of racial discrepancies in rural education. Then when I saw this book available to review, I jumped on it. Morrison does a phenomenal job of illustrating just how white-washed our culture is. She tells stories from history that I'd never heard before, shares experiences from her own life and family, and uses a variety of sources (including current events) to back up her message. She addresses the issues from historical, political, societal, and personal perspectives, which gave the book a comprehensive feel. I loved the variety of sources that she quotes, and she did a wonderful job relating the issue of race back to the Bible. I also liked that she included a prayer and discussion questions at the end of each chapter. 

My big complaint with this book is that the problem felt over simplified by the way that she juxtaposed White people against racial minorities, especially African-Americans. The whole issue was portrayed as White people mistreated racial minorities, so they need to repent and make restitutions, and the racial minorities need to forgive them. The problem is not really that White people owned slaves, mistreated Japanese Americans during World War II, or took advantage of Native Americans to obtain their land. The problem is that our sin nature causes us to categorize and dehumanize people and place ourselves above them. This is why slavery has been a prominent institution in the large majority of cultures throughout history and why we still see it today. This is why Nazis murdered millions of people perceived to be genetically inferior. This is why up to t\90% of Africans shipped to America were enslaved by fellow Africans and then sold to to the European traders, and then were sometimes owned by fellow African-Americans. Not because White people are bad, but because everyone has a sin nature. Without this perspective, our efforts to solve racial division will be like trying to put a band-aid on cancer. It might fix the immediate problem, but it won't do anything to solve the larger and more deadly one. 

During the first half of this book, I would have said that every Christian needs to read it. It was so full of information that just doesn't get talked about in every day life, but needs to be. But during the second half, I felt as though I was being scapegoated - being forced to take the blame for something I don't even know if my ancestors did, all because of my skin color. Reconciliation is something that needs to happen, especially in the church, and Morrison does a good job of pointing out solutions that individuals can implement. I just wish that she had embraced a broader perspective. The bottom line is that this book offers a valuable story that needs to be heard. I would recommend reading it, because it forced me to look at this issue in a new light, and caused me to think about these topics deeply whether I agreed with Morrison or not. 

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Publishers for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Today, civil discourse on difficult topics is usually anything but civil. Shares, re-tweets, and bombastic pronouncements are valued more than empathy and listening to understand. Writers like Latasha Morrison challenge us to set aside our egos, and build authentic relationships and understanding with those deemed to be "the other."

Morrison is the founder of Be the Bridge, a group whose mission is to inspire Christians and Christian churches to "have a distinctive and transformative response to racial division." This book highlights how Morrison came to this work; explores issues of systematic discrimination, biases, and racism; and provides a blueprint for whites and people of color to work together for reconciliation -- all through a Christian perspective.

This year, I've devoted particular attention to reading about racial inequality and "Be the Bridge" is the most honest and helpful book I've read on the topic. Morrison doesn't point fingers or assign blame to people today for decisions made centuries ago. That said, she lays bare the way U.S. policies have systematically disenfranchised people of color, either intentionally or unintentionally. Morrison challenges all of her readers to reflect on our shared history, our own personal biases (including unconscious biases), and how we can each work to eliminate the racial division that plagues our country.

Morrison's words aren't always easy to hear. She does not let the reader walk about without examining ways in which their complicity and biases have contributed to inequalities and racial strife. However, her challenges and examples are heart-felt and addressed to everyone. She's not interested in blaming or shaming. She's interested in dismantling inequities and building understanding and empathy.

Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth Behrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha beautifully weaves together the past, the present, and scripture to lead the reader on a path to reconciliation. Unlike many books, this one will leave you empowered to make forward progress toward justice in a healthy and Biblical way.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

How I wanted to like this book! The prevalence of racial divide over the death of George Floyd causes me to want to get involved, and I thought this book, titled with a reference to Christianity, would be the right approach. However this book did not help. I was looking for a path of reconciliation, but one was not provided.
I read the entire book. I am not a theologian.
1. Ms. Morrison states, “But to build bridges of racial reconciliation, we’ll need to confront the guilt and shame of our collective past,” and, “let’s not hide from the communal shame and guilt of racism.” Her biblical references (for an individual who isn’t personally responsible for sin but is confessing sin for a group) are Ezra and Daniel. However, these were the spiritual leaders of a chosen people group, the Israelites, who had entered into a covenant with God as a people group. Jesus Christ abolished that covenant and brings an individual response to His teaching, a new and living covenant. (Hebrews 8:13) I am not under guilt and shame for the collective sin done by people in the past. Americans are not a people group called into covenant by God.
2. A second concept she discusses is restoration and reparations. Her biblical example for reparations is Zacchaeus the tax collector, who promised to repay everyone four times what he stole from them. Note, he is paying back something he personally stole, not something his ancestors stole. She also references Mosaic law, but again, it refers to an individual wronging another person. I don’t trust government led reparations, but I do like her suggestion of individuals showing support. I would add to that to support/donate to ministries for blacks that are centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. The heart is the only way to affect change.

There is so much more I could discuss about this book, but no one is going to read a really long review. I will say that Ms. Morrison uses historical African Americans as her identity and seems to view the world mostly through that lens. Her book makes me think she is still very angry at whites, and she takes jabs at them throughout. My identity is in Christ, and I am not subject to my past. 2 Cor 5:17. I also accept that I am a work in progress and will ask forgiveness for any sin of favoritism or partiality I have personally committed. There are components of Critical Race Theory throughout the book, and it needs to be read with discernment. Make sure you understand CRT before you buy into this approach of solving racism (which actually never helps resolve anything).

For info on CRT see neilshenviapologetics.com and slowtowrite.com

[jess ~has abandoned GR~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very timely book that will appeal to Christian churchgoers concerned with Sunday-morning segregation and the worsening racial discourse in America. It contains beautiful, powerful liturgies and prayers designed to elicit a strong call to action. Highly recommended reading for American Christians, especially those who find themselves surrounded by people the same color as them on Sunday mornings.

arc received from publisher

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was chosen to be on the launch team for Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation and I was so excited to open the pages. However, I struggled to connect with the author and, in fact, did not finish the book. I am mostly white with a quarter Japanese and some Native American and my older family members have experienced racism so the topic is near to me.

I struggled with the premise that I need to apologize to people of color for what my ancestors (white people as a whole) have done/are doing. I continued in the book a few chapters after that, but finally put it down because I couldn't get past that. I can certainly empathize, but to take responsibility? I'm not sure.

I need to sit with God a bit more for this one.

I agree that our racial divide needs to be bridged and that this book and organization may help further that dialog.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher.

[Carolyn Ogrosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege and joy to read a book that invites us into the confluence of truth, love and challenge so beautifully. Latasha Morrison takes you from historical perspectives to church experiences to personal stories - and it takes you there with significant grace - and then leads you to the places of your own heart, causing you to look within and ask the hard questions about who you are, from where you come, what America has been and could be and what role the church plays in all of it.

If you are already on the journey of being a bridge-builder, Be the Bridge is for you.

If you have long relegated these conversations to the realm of "non-biblical" or "liberal", Be the Bridge is for you.

If you don't have a clue where to start and you even wonder if you are a part of the problem, Be the Bridge is for you.

Order it, read it, share it.

You won't be disappointed.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Be the Bridge" by LaTasha Morrison was such an incredibly timely, poignant, and powerful book. I had the privilege of hearing LaTasha speak at a conference last fall and started to follow her journey on social media, so when I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I needed to read it. The investment of this book is one you want to make, because the words on these pages are transformational if you allow them to be. It was a book I wanted to consume quickly because of how good it was, but I stretched it out because I wanted to really spend time digesting the gravity of the information.

As a white person who has grown up in Christian culture, there was so much I was never exposed to or told. In this season of my life as I am challenging myself to learn and grow and understand perspectives that are different from mine, LaTasha's voice is a gift. Be it about history or faith or politics or relationships, there's something in here for everyone to learn. For me, it was all of those things and more. My book is full of pink highlighter and I will come back to this book again and again for wisdom. LaTasha was strong and gracious, presenting hard truths while making space for hope & change. My ignorance has been a part of the problem, and I'm now willing to be part of the solution. There is SO much division in our country, and LaTasha's leadership & vision can help guide us back to each other. The work of reconciliation will be costly, and it is so worth the cost.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

If you are looking for a good book to tackle racial justice and reconciliation in a church or religious environment, Be the Bridge is a fantastic choice. The author does an incredible job of laying a foundation of understanding the reality of racism, white supremacy, colorism and structural injustice in the United States both historically and today, and intersecting that with Biblical values such as humility and repentance. Scattered throughout are a combination of personal anecdotes and historical vignettes that paint a powerful and relevant picture.

At the end of each chapter are challenging discussion questions and a prayer. It invites the reader to be an active participant in what they are reading and asking questions about their own involvement, family history, etc. The book discusses the importance of forgiveness, but more for the person forgiving than the person being forgiven, but also that the timeline on that cannot be forced or rushed to make white people more comfortable. She even lays out a strong, Biblically supported case for reparations and suggests that should begin with the individual rather than being solely the job of the government. And while the primary focus is the treatment of Black people in America and the history of slavery, she also addresses injustice toward Native Americans, Latinx communities, and the history of Japanese internment camps.

Honestly, I was impressed with how much ground this book covered in very little time and that the author does not pull her punches and is okay with making people uncomfortable. I even see this in some reviews from white people who don't like the idea of being held accountable for the sins of their ancestors. But in truth, this is definitely a Biblical concept with future generations being held to account. Additionally, as she discusses the generational wealth and financial security of white Americans were built on the backs of slave labor and restitution for that is needed. I think this is exactly what the church needs right now and it is clearly designed with group study in mind, although it's great for personal reflection as well. This is a wonderfully accessible starting point. Thanks to Penguin Random House for providing me with an audio review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I heard Latasha Morrison speak about racial reconciliation was during a simulcast of IF: Gathering a few years ago. The way she addressed ‘the elephant in the room’ with other panel participants cracked open something within me that I didn’t even realize at the time was sealed shut. I have followed her since then through her Be the Bridge movement which is now a non-profit organization with the goal of equipping people to become reconcilers, bridge builders to racial reconciliation. More than simply a story of her life and her journey to the founding of Be the Bridge, in this book Latasha gives us unvarnished truth of our past and present discord between races and then a roadmap of how we can move forward to right the wrongs of the past. How we can each become a bridge builder and why it is so urgently needed. I highly recommend you pre-order this book which releases in October and read it with an open mind and open heart. Let’s be bridge builders together!
(I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book as part of a book launch team. My review was not influenced by that.)

[Dorothy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Morrison gently, clearly, and succinctly lays out the path for People of Color to move toward lament, forgiveness, and healing from racial wounds. She also educates white folks about the often invisible (to them) racist ideologies that have harmed POC and held back our country from its true potential. She does not rely on shame or manipulation to get her points across. Be the Bridge would be a great resource for small groups or churches that want to move forward in the area of understanding and ending racial inequality.

[Jon Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Critical race theory in Pop Christian packaging

Morrison is a great writer on a pop level. Which to me makes this even more dangerous. She combines the gospel itself with works of social justice. The false teaching is couched in an Augustinian framework of sin, repentance, and forgiveness. However, she applies these actions to generational and systemic inequities.

[Ashley Gage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison is the conduit we currently need to help unify our nation today. LaTasha's beautiful articulation of how we build the bridge toward racial reconciliation has been transformative to me personally as a woman of color in predominately white settings. It has opened the door for me to walk through my own history through new eyes as well as opened my heart to the stories of those around me. The format of this book allows space for reflection and discussion in very meaningful ways, especially in small group settings!

LaTasha's words have left a imprint on me and I know it will do the same for all who read it, " The truth is that it takes every tribe, tongue, and nation to reflect the image of God in His fullness. The truth is that race is a social construct, one that has divided and set one group over the other from the earliest days of humanity. The Christian construct, though, dismantles this way of thinking and seeks to reunite us under a common banner of love and fellowship."


LaTasha Morrison

[Tiffysays · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years ago, I was really struggling. Some events caused me to really wake up to the reality of being a mixed-raced person in an all white family, church, social circle, etc. I began to see how the historical racism of America and Christianity was keeping us twisted even today. So I struggled with believing there was a way forward and through racial divisions in Christ. And then I came upon Be The Bridge and the biblical path to racial reconciliation taught in their discussion guide, and I knew there was hope.

In this book, LaTasha Morrison walks us through this biblical racial reconciliation process. She gives scripture, stories and examples where appropriate to illustrate each stage of reconciliation. She connects being a bridge builder and justice seeker with how we live out our faith in Jesus Christ.

There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter. There are also prayers and liturgies. This, to me, is incredibly useful. Not only to give us language for faithfully addressing matters of race in our own prayers but also as a community of believers.

Overall, if you've wondered about 'race relations', about the church's role, if you've questioned whether or not there is hope, questioned the often Christian approach of ignoring race/color, Be The Bridge is a book that can bring some clarity. This book can offer a path forward that is faithful to scripture, to Christ and to honoring one another as fellow image bearers of God.

I got an advanced copy to read and review.

[Gina Fimbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latasha Morrison shares her heart and her journey through this important work. She is a leader in our generation who tirelessly works for racial justice and true reconciliation. This book is one part personal journey and another part clarion call. It is a grace-filled indictment for the church to do better and live up to the calling God has for us when it comes to eradicating White supremacy. Tasha teaches us that we can’t move forward without acknowledging the racial pain of our history. There isn’t anyone who would not benefit from reading this book, but this should be required reading for all White people who call themselves Christian. Latasha beautifully lays out biblical foundations for the work of racial reconciliation and lays out a path forward. Tasha stands on the shoulders of giants - leaders from generations before her who have bravely, and with much sacrifice, led this work. She is impressively carrying the torch of racial justice work and this book will be an important bedrock in the church for many generations to come.

[Elizabeth Rosner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by the AMAZING Latasha Morrison is a must-read for anyone who is eager to see racial reconciliation. As I read this book, there were many times I needed to pause, take time to reflect, and do some deep self-examination. The chapter on lament is especially powerful for me, because for most of my life, I did not have a practice of lament, and I know I didn't give others space to lament either. One of the quotes that resonated with me is, "As Mom and Dad pulled away, I considered the lesson. Bridge builders grow; they mature. And if they're growing in the right direction, if they're committed to the work, they'll eventually learn the way to restoration of healthy relationships. It won't be easy, but it's the work of the gospel." My personal prayer is that I continue my work of being a bridge builder, that I mature, that I seek to restore healthy relationships.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book for so many reasons! I have read lots of books on race and racism and this one is one of my favorites. Latasha Morrison uses her own personal experience, historical events and scripture to help us have thoughtful reflection, prayer and discussion that moves us to internal and external awareness and action. This book brings the reader back to Christ over and over again. It's the perfect book to get a group of friends and/or church to have a book club and start the conversation around race. There are thoughtful discussion questions and prayer at the end of each chapter. I would recommend this to anyone but I think it's a must read if you are Christian and especially if you are a white Christian. Latasha writes in such a beautiful way it's as if she's my friend humbly sharing her knowledge and experience and inviting me into the conversation. This is a book that I will come back to over and over again.

[Fayelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique book of its kind. Morrison is excellent at approaching this subject with knowledge, kindness, strength, and conviction. I felt often like I was reading a letter from a friend rather than just a book. This one's a treasure.

[Kris Overtoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book as part of its promotion. The book will be available October 15, 2019 and you can pre-order it now. This book is a good introduction to the work that Latosha Morrison started in Austin with a group of women in her circle to help her process through racists incidents that her white-majority church was not addressing and has continued through a private Facebook group of the same name. It has biblical answers to the problem with racism in our country, which still exists and still harms the whole country, regardless of skin color. She weaves her own family history of reconciliation and restoration with historical racism and how we can heal the divide in our country and restore relationships between groups of people.

The book is organized into four sections--an introduction, a call to lament, the role of confession and forgiveness, and the last two elements that are needed to bring about true healing and reconciliation.

What I like about the book is how she weaves her own family's process of reconciliation into the narrative of national reconciliation that is needed. She has clear, biblical references to confession, repentance and reparation. And she is honest about the fact that this, like most human relationships is a messy, painful and sometimes long process where the grace of Jesus is sorely needed as people grow and change to move toward each other, building each span of the bridge step-by-step. Each chapter ends with a prayer and questions for reflection and discussion. At the end of each section, a liturgy is included that churches can implement into their service or groups can include in their meetings.

What some people might not like is that Latosha includes some stories from America's past that can be difficult to read. These stories are limited to what is essential to supporting the narrative of the chapter. People actively involved in bridge building or biblical social justice might think that this book is too cursory in this area. However, the purpose of the book is to whet the appetite and encourage people to become bridge builders. At the end of the book, Ms. Morrison references her website for more resources, www.bethebridge.com.

Long before she wrote this book, Ms. Morrison developed a bible study that you can order on her "Be the Bridge" website. The Facebook group has links to articles, podcasts, and video series that help build a common place of reference for everyone in the group if you want to dive deeper.

Ms. Morrison has developed a well-written, logically organized, biblically accurate introduction to bridge building between different racial groups and she gives a compelling call to action that we as individuals, as communities and as a country need. I highly recommend the book.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latasha’s style is clear, compassionate, and compelling. Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation challenged me to reconsider what I learned about race relations and how I evaluated my own related actions. Though the focus is on her own experience as a Black American and that of those brought to this continent as slaves, she also introduces readers to the experiences of people of color outside the Black community as well her White friends in the context of racial reconciliation (and roadblocks to the same). She dispelled myths about the legal racist practices in our nation’s history, including one that I heard often growing up about slaves being treated like loved family. “Family doesn't leave family in bondage,” she corrects. She taught that the struggle for people of different ethnic backgrounds to live as neighbors is older than the words of the New Testament, which she uses to provide helpful, Christ-centered guidance. She is mindful of the contributions all people (not only majority culture) to perpetuate attitudes of bias. She makes powerful challenges to those who pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as in heaven, reminding them that love of neighbor is paramount to that end. As a woman of color who has been on the giving and receiving end of racist attitude and remarks, I found Ms. Morrison’s book to be powerfully helpful in making necessary changes in my own actions. She also gave me tools to move forward in strength and purposeful peace in a culture where racial reconciliation is not yet widely pursued. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intelligent, thoughtful, helpful perspective on the problem of poor race relations and the solution of reconciliation.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not think of a more timely message for the church in the United States than Latasha Morrison's "Be the Bridge." Having recently finished my graduate work in American history, I loved the way that she used historical narrative and fact, in addition to her personal experience, to identify deeply rooted racism in the history of the U.S. and the American church. What's even more powerful is the way that she links reconciliation and movement towards repentence and reparations to the Gospel and to specific Scripture, explaining how efforts to combat racism (especially in the church!) and build bridges between people of different races, traditions and backgrounds is something we are called to as believers in Christ. Her honesty translates to powerful writing that leaves no room for doubt as to what we should do next, but also welcomes readers in who are at all stages in the process of understanding and working towards racial reconciliation in the church. I really cannot recommend it more highly!
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through their book launch program.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my sweet time reading this one because there was SO MUCH GOOD STUFF to take in! I’ve been working through many stages over the last several years, figuring out what racial reconciliation means & what it looks like in my life. I’ve gone through a crisis of faith (or two or three!) because I couldn’t understand how God’s Word could ever be used to defend white supremacy and racism. I also couldn’t understand how we as Christians could sit by so silently and not be willing to take a stand against the wrongs we see happening in our society. I don’t want to be divided any longer. I want to be brave enough to admit and repent for my part in perpetuating white supremacy (intentional or not). I want to lament with my brothers and sisters of all ethnicities for the wrongs committed against them. And most of all, I want to see the Church come together to work toward legitimate reconciliation and to show God’s love the way it was intended to be shown. I hope everyone will be willing to pick up this book and feel the conviction they need to be a bridge builder!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latasha Morrison’s first book “Be The Bridge: Pursuing Gods Heart for Racial Reconciliation” is something all Christ followers in the United States MUST read.

The wisdom and history she shares about race, our society and the church is immense and profound.

She gives biblical backing to why all of us who have a heart for Jesus should be intentionally educating ourselves, making changes in our lives and thought process and also building bridges to reconcile with others in the area of racial reconciliation and justice.

This book can be and should be life changing in how we view our faith, our fellow man, our national history and our daily actions. The organization Be The Bridge changed my life and my family’s life a couple years ago and I am so grateful that now there is a book to share with others to introduce them to the same lifelong journey of change, lament, re-education and sanctification that we have been on.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important read for the church in America.
Each chapter brought anticipation and lament, smiles and tears, and my heart has left these pages so challenged to take the next steps as a bridge builder for racial reconciliation. All humanity bears God’s image, and we need to truly listen and acknowledge the experiences of our brothers and sisters of color. This book encouraged me to not only re-visit how I have learned history and dig into my own ancestry, but also to change the lens in which I read and interpret scripture. I have so much still to learn on this journey, but I promise it is worth it all to strive to see the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. This book stretches me in the best of ways and I encourage you to join me and order it today!

[Victoria Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for Christ followers.
One of my favorite quotes from Be the Bridge is, "The truth is that it takes every tribe, tongue, and nation to reflect the image of God in his fullness. The truth is that race is a social construct, one that has divided and set one group over the other from the earliest days of humanity. The Christian construct, though, dismantles this way of thinking and seeks to reunite us under a common banner of love and fellowship."
In her book, Morrison challenged me immensely, while at the same time teaching me and helping me process difficult realities. I still have lots of work to do and lots to learn, but I have hope from this book that unity is possible, without sacrificing our unique and beautiful ethnic cultures.

[Bill Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

LaTasha Morrison writes an important book about racial reconciliation. She’s open and transparent on her own struggles and experiences. She creates a space for people of all races to wrestle with the history of racism in our collective history.

God’s heart is for reconciliation and for each of us to lament for our community when another is hurting. We need to collectively seek healing and restoration as a nation and community.

This is important work. Powerful work. Redemptive and restorative work. It is a work that speaks life and reconciliation into a society awash in division and death.

Highly recommended.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd reading for a book club discussion: This is even better the second time through.

I am so thankful for LaTasha Morrison and her obedience to God's calling to build the racial reconciliation ministry, Be the Bridge. Being a part of the BtB Facebook group for several years now has transformed my thinking on bridge building and restorative racial reconciliation. And those changes have given me a broader understanding of Jesus' command to "love your neighbor." This book is so well-structured making it accessible to anyone who is interested in learning more about pursuing justice and the Biblical mandates that speak to this. I highly recommend it!

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. I loved this. Let's be real the church has faithfully oppressed minority groups and isolated them for the sake of their white causes (a complete contradiction to the Gospel and everything Jesus stood for). This is an in depth look at history and how we should repent and work towards change by listening and working together. Review to come.

[Mindee Berkman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. While it is filled with words like reconciliation and healing, it is Critical Race Theory at its core. Please do not be guilted into embracing this non-Biblical worldview. The theology in this book has multiple flaws and inconsistencies. Ms. Morrison mishandles both history and Scripture.

While proclaiming to be a proponent for race relations, she reduces all people of color to victims or oppressed status and all “white” people to the status of oppressor. I categorical reject both these assertions. These categories are racist and bigoted, the very thing she claims to be working against. It simplifies each person to the color of their skin. We are all so much more than that.

I also categorically reject that America’s history, unfortunately filled with many dark pages, many wrong and sinful actions, can be simplified to being nothing more than a concerted effort to keep people of color down. It is naive and dishonest. Let us not forget that half the country went war against fellow countrymen to end slavery. Were all those “white” people racist oppressors too?

I particularly want to address Ms. Morrison’s handling of Scripture. She has ripped the passage of Ezra 9 out of context and twisted it to fit her own agenda. During Ezra’s leadership of Israel, God had just fulfilled His long awaited promise to return His people back to the promised land. The entire congregation had re-affirmed their covenant with Him that they would worship Him alone. Two shakes of a lamb’s tail later they break their commitment and break God’s command by marrying outside the faith and thus re-introducing idolatry with worship of the one true God. Ezra is outraged. He is grieved. They had returned to the very sin that resulted in that nation’s 400 years of slavery in Egypt, 40 years of wandering the desert, and being conquered and enslaved again, first by Assyria and then Babylon. The entire congregation repented because they were the ones who sinned. They didn’t repent of their father’s sins (although Ezra hints at how stiff-necked they were to repeat the same sin over and over, generation after generation). They repented of their own, personal sin. As their leader, Ezra led them in corporate repentance and reconciliation to God because they were currently, corporately walking in disobedience.

Ms. Morrison mishandles Scripture when she asserts that “white” people should repent of their father’s sins of racism and that all “white” people are racists by proxy. I emphatically reject the premise that “white” people are cooperating and participating in the oppression of people of color simply because they are “white”. That is a divisive lie from straight from our enemy. Here’s some Scripture. Read and discern for yourself.

Ezekiel 18:1-25
v. 20 The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Psalm 103:9-12
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

Ms. Morrison has a theology problem. According to her, there is no forgiveness of sins (ours or our fathers) until the proper work is done (repentance plus* reparations). This is a new gospel, different than the one taught in the Bible. It’s salvation by works. An additional problem with this theory is that first, works are necessary and second, the work is never done and therefore no one is ever really forgiven. The line of what it means to be truly repentant and make reparations keeps moving. It illusive. The beast keeps being fed and fed and yet is never satisfied. It is a false hope of peace and reconciliation. It is the anti-gospel.

*The Bible is clear we must repent of our sins(Acts 2:37-39). The problem is what is added to it - works.

Look, we are all sinners, we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and we are all called to live in peace with one another (2 Cor 13:11). We should not regard one another according to our ethnicities or the color of one’s skin (Galatians 3:28). Christ has but one bride and she is multi-ethnic, composed of every color of skin under the sun. There is no “black” church or “white” church. There is one church-Christ’s. Let us love one another as Christ has loved us.

For an excellent (and more eloquent) Christian response to the CRT movement I highly recommend Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr.