Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery

by Cheri L. Mills

This Lenten devotional invites readers to learn more about the brutal institution of slavery and its impact on Black people in America and discover how its evolution and legacy continue to harm their descendants in the United States today. Each of the forty devotions includes the testimony of a person who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad, a Scripture passage, and a reflection connecting biblical and historical themes to challenge modern readers to work for liberation. Reflecting on Lenten themes of exodus, redemption, discipline, and repentance, readers, both Black and white, will be empowered for the work of racial justice.

Genres: Race, Social Justice, Nonfiction, Spirituality

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[a duck · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway

I was so glad that I won this giveaway! I was looking for a book of daily reflections for this year's Lent, and this allowed me engage salient issues of racism in the United States. Mills does a fantastic job pairing teachings from the Bible with accounts of slaves fleeing to freedom. I loved how she delved into different themes, like the lives of enslaved seniors, loss of faith, and the recent police brutality that sparked nation-wide protests.
It would be a mistake to dismiss this book simply because you are not Christian. It allows the reader to engage daily with the reality of the experiences of the descendants of enslaved people and African Americans in the US at large. If you missed this for Lent, it would be easy to include the short daily readings (about 2-3 pages) into your routine. Especially if, like me, you are white, it is so important to keep these issues in mind every day, not just when protests erupt or during Black History Month. The format of this book allows for just that, raising different topics and ideas every day and accompanying them with historical accounts and Bible passages (which, again, if you are not Christian or are simply not interested in that aspect, you can skip).
This was definitely my favorite text to pick up for Lent, and, as much as I enjoyed it and want to hold on it, I'm thinking of passing it on so others can enjoy it during the next Lenten period. Highly recommend!

[Jaleesa McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 40 day Devotional goes beyond the institution of slavery with the intimate memories of runaway slaves. These documented accounts of their escape from freedom are linked to biblical text, scriptures, and uplifting songs. The stories that appear within the devotional are heart wrenching but, they present Black America’s past and present injustices and exclusion.

The author dives into the time of the “Black Holocaust. The “Black Holocaust” are misfortunes of enslavement, Black codes, share cropping, Jim Crow laws, lynchings, police brutality, redlining and mass incarceration. A very profound quote stated, “that because Blacks were targeted for special mistreatment, then Blacks should be targeted for special treatment.” In oppression slavery brought profit to America with 3.2 million slaves bringing in approximately $1.2 billion in market value. The author asks the reader, “can there be justice without reparations?” My answer to that is an absolute no because there is a debt owed for an economy being built on our backs.

These devotionals speaks tremendously about despair and finding hope. Slaves experienced great despair because of their masters and their mistresses idolatrous , sadistic, unruly and cruel systems and practices; with a mustard seed of faith and undying hope they ran to their freedom even though at times it meant leaving their families behind. It is unimaginable to understand this faith, hope and consistent belief that there is a God that slaves possessed because of the poorly-painted image of Christ that they were consistently being shown. Many were Methodist, Evangelicals and other denominations but governed their lives upon ownership of slaves, brutality and cruel and unusual punishment. This was not authentic Christianity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this daily devotional of the intimate stories of multiple slaves’ journey to their freedom. Although a daily reminder of Black America’s constant struggle and injustices encountered, the author gave the reader confidence in the idea that times will get better for us. I feel the questions after each devotional serves as a complex observation of the true state of the country we live in and a dialogue with one’s self about who they are and who they can be. For me the personal stories from real experiences and the facts of black oppression served as an educational read, but the author’s true audience was White people. The need for change was exposed. I recommend this forty day devotional to all readers, no matter the race.

[Adam Shields]

Summary: A lenten devotional based on the testimony of people that escaped slavery. 

There has been a slow recovery of the practice of Lent in parts of the Protestant world that has not traditionally celebrated the liturgical year over the past couple of decades. I want to commend three devotionals that I have used, although I have not read all of any of them yet. Each of them is a 40-day devotional.

Lent is a season of reflection and preparation for Easter. Traditionally, it is a period that includes fasting, repentance, prayer, and penance. Each of these devotionals is focused on knowing the history of the US, particularly the history of Black oppression, slavery, and the cultural embrace of racial hierarchy, which posits that those with lighter colors of skin are inherently superior to those with darker colors of skin. The purpose of these is not guilt, but awareness of. history for the purpose of repair and reconciliation. Without a shared historical story, there cannot be a shared future story. Each of these has slightly different focuses.

The newest is the Lent of Liberation, which was released a couple of weeks ago. The Lent of Liberation has a basic format of a quotation from slave narrative, usually about 3/4 of a page, a related biblical quotation, and then about 1-2 pages of reflection on the biblical passage and the historical reality of slavery and oppression. The focus of Lent of Liberation is to draw attention to the African Decendents of Slavery (ADOS) and the continued impact of slavery on the present world as well as the ways that Christianity is oriented toward reconciliation and the Imago Dei (image of God) within all people and how historic Christianity has not practiced that fully. The author Cheri Mills is a church administrator, founder of the 1 Voice Prayer Movement, and prayer director at Simmons College of Kentucky, an HBCU.

Last year I read most of Were You There?: Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals. Luke Powery is the chaplain of Duke Divinity School and has several similar books of devotionals based on African American church experience. Each devotional revolves around a spiritual, although many of them are less well known. I frequently, although not every time, was able to look up on youtube or other places to get audio or video performance of the spiritual which did help to place the spiritual in context. Some of the devotionals were more about the content, some were more about a memory of the spiritual in the life of Rev Dr. Powery.

The third devotional is the Repentance Project. The Repentance Project was created three or four years ago, "to encourage racial healing by communicating the systemic legacies of slavery, building relationships, and creating opportunities—through formation, repentance, and repair—for a just future." There are two Lenten devotionals that are offered through the Repentance Project, An American Lament and An American Lent. These are written by a variety of people, from a mix of racial, ethnic and denominational backgrounds. But with an explicit focus on lamenting the history of racism and oppression in the US and trying to raise awareness for the long term hope of change and reconciliation in the church.

I am posting this a week in advance of the start of Lent to give you time to order one of these and to make a plan for lent.

Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery by Cheri Mills Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition

Were You There?: Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals by Luke Powery Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition

[BIRDIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

While many are familiar with giving up something for Lent, this season can also be an opportunity to take on a practices for spiritual growth. After witnessing the brutal slaughter of George Floyd and the lack of accountability following the murder of Breonna Taylor, many in the Christian faith community have been motivated to educate themselves about systemic racism and their moral obligation to social and economic justice. Lent of Liberation by Cheri L. Mills is a concise, thought provoking guide to exploring the issues of systemic oppression for American Descendants of Slavery (referred to throughout the book by the acronym ADOS).

Lent of Liberation is a six-week study to confront the ugly reality of the racist history of America. The book consists of 40 days of devotionals that roughly follow the chronology of the ADOS experience, from the beginnings of enslavement through to present day experience. This study has the participant confront some very uncomfortable truths about the insidious history of systemic oppression towards ADOS. Each day, the author presents snapshots of horrific accounts of life for those enslaved in America juxtaposed next to a Scriptural reference followed by a synthesis and questions for reflection. Mills also goes further to develop the learning experience by incorporating Facts About Black Oppression throughout the book.

Mills suggests that much of the western Christian community has been complacent or indifferent with regard confronting the evil of systemic racial oppression. Lent of Liberation encourages participants to reflect on the realities facing ADOS and how each person can work towards meaningful reconciliation. This study is very different in that it does not soften the hard truth about the experience of ADOS. At times, the historical accounts may be unsettling to participants. Mills presents the lived experiences of named human beings who were subjected to the horrors of chattel slavery in America and allows the reader to respond. Toward the end of the study, Mills challenges the participants to consider their role in restoration and reconciliation.

Lent of Liberation will challenge those who profess the Christian faith to reconsider what it means to be allies of justice. This book is a perfect guide for small group study to explore these critical questions. As a bonus, readers have access to free online resources. These companion products include a small groups facilitation guide, marketing resources, and sermon prompts.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this volume. How I review this really depends on if I take this as a book on justice or a devotional. As a book on justice, I appreciate it. It caught my attention quickly and made me eager to unpack the collection of readings. As a call to lament, a tool for education and reflection, and a drive to action, it is well done indeed – bringing attention to various facets of the conversation including HBCUs, reparations, mass incarceration, and modern slavery in addition to the historical wrongs.

But I don’t think it does well as a devotional. It certainly has a call to love our neighbors – acknowledging the pain and injustice and travesty of systemic racism in our world and our nation – and the format is quite similar to a devotional in that there’s a short reading, a few verses of Scripture, some thoughts, and a call to action or final thought-provoking questions - but there is little focus on Christ. Speculative interpretation is used at times – and then conclusions are drawn from that. And sometimes the speculative interpretation is not at all consistent with the passage in context; thus the point may be well made, but the attempts at Biblical connection are simply unfounded, which leaves me loathe to recommend it as a Christian book. (That is not true of all cases. Some points are well-formed and right on.) I appreciate the format and the call to go beyond sympathy into reflection and action. I would commend this to you as a series of daily readings with religious tones, not a devotional book.

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina Crog · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an ordained pastor in the ELCA, I highly recommend this book for congregational study. Mills does a lovely job connecting historical accounts to scripture while also providing a modern lens for processing her key themes.

Minor critique: While the author clearly addresses that the discussion questions are for a white audience, it is unclear which group of white readers she’s hoping to inspire. There are times when the book seems like a good introduction to people engaging with this content for the first time, and other instances when the book feels like it is written for people who are already active in justice conversations. A gifted small group leader could help overcome this disjointedness.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be quite a challenge. I was prompted to go and learn more about William Still and his writing (a very interesting excursion). This felt quite dark. It does a great job of describing the problem, but not so well at offering solutions or practices to improve oneself. I got a real sense of guilt and sorrow that are appropriate for Lent, but I hoped for suggestions of ways to become better.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the challenge I needed during Lent to confront the issue of slavery and racism that still permeates our lives. Looking at the issue from a framework of faith was so helpful and kept me grounded during Lent.

[J Percell Lakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey through the lives of the enslaved

A great Lenten resource that leads us to see the world through the eyes and experiences of the enslaved and connect it to Scripture in ways that are enlightening and challenging.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as my Lenten devotional for 2021 and would highly recommend to others

[Terrance Lively · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice reflection on where we came from and where we still need to work in terms of race and religion.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging! Informative. Heartbreaking. A devotional well worth choosing, reading, and confronting our history with slavery.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lent is a time of denial, but not denial of the truth—the spirit of Lent must lead us to confront the legacy of American Slavery head-on if we are to overcome the centuries of White privilege at Black expense.”

Our pastor and leader of our church’s Journey Toward Racial Justice group recommended this book for Lent. I confess I never have been good at daily readings, so I read this in chunks and finished pretty quickly.

It’s a really impactful book in which the author shares true stories of enslaved people who escaped via the Underground Railroad. These stories are woven in with scripture as well as modern-day parallels. Each daily reading is very short but full of powerful stories, historical and modern day information, and questions for reflection so that our empathy might move us into action.