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The Uneasy Conscience of a White Christian: Making Racial Equity a Priority
Do White people bear moral responsibility for racial disparities? Are White Christians under a spiritual mandate to make racial equity a priority?
Clifford Williams taught philosophy at Christian colleges for many years, including a course on race. He has journeyed alongside students as they gained insights about racism. In this book, he draws from deeply personal stories as he shows the need for White Christians to recognize the impact of racism and to cultivate key character traits which enable them to pursue racial equity.
In succinct and thoughtful prose, interwoven with first-person accounts of racialized experiences by people of color, Williams describes the importance of the Golden Rule, the power and effects of racial socialization, and the harm racism does to those who harbor it. He asks the haunting question, "Why do White people react so strongly to Black power?" He explains why widespread church integration in the United States may never exist. He unpacks the concept of White identity and links police brutality to faulty moral perception.
This book gently explains what White Christians need to do to make racial equity a priority.
Clifford Williams taught philosophy at Christian colleges for many years, including a course on race. He has journeyed alongside students as they gained insights about racism. In this book, he draws from deeply personal stories as he shows the need for White Christians to recognize the impact of racism and to cultivate key character traits which enable them to pursue racial equity.
In succinct and thoughtful prose, interwoven with first-person accounts of racialized experiences by people of color, Williams describes the importance of the Golden Rule, the power and effects of racial socialization, and the harm racism does to those who harbor it. He asks the haunting question, "Why do White people react so strongly to Black power?" He explains why widespread church integration in the United States may never exist. He unpacks the concept of White identity and links police brutality to faulty moral perception.
This book gently explains what White Christians need to do to make racial equity a priority.
196 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2021
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About the author
Clifford Williams
38 books12 followersClifford Williams is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. His blog on death, suicide, and the meaning of life is at http://www.cliffordwilliams.net/thoughts
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2024
The author is a former professor of mine from my college days. I admit as I read it I "heard" his voice reading it.
The book asks White Christians to confront their blind spots when it comes to race. That is not an easy task, for anyone, to confront their blind spots. Clifford Williams approach doesn't blunt the approach but does make it easier to view by providing real life stories of former students. It is through those students' perspectives that brings the reality of what he is writing to life.
As I said above, it is never easy to confront a blind spot in one's perception of life. I'd recommend this book if 1) you are ready to confront some blind spots, 2) are willing to have the discussion, and 3) that discussion leads to some action on your part. Too often, as the students' state, the White Christian discusses and discusses with no action forthcoming. What will your action be?
I would not recommend this book if you 1) can't have empathy for someone different that you, 2) already know your answer to racial equity before reading the book, and 3) are unable to confront your blind spots. To you, this book will be a waste of your time; it will upset you; it will further drive you into the arms of your already preconceived ideas. Find something else to read instead of this.
One final note, this is written by a philosophy professor. At times it comes across as academic. That may make reading it a little more difficult. I had the benefit of hearing the professor's voice as I read it. Many will not. Don't let that put you off if you are interested in the topic, want to start/have a discussion, or want another perspective on racial equity.
For me, I'll be going through the bibliography looking for the next book(s) I want to read on the topic and search through my library for the articles that are used. This is another step down my path to understanding. It can be yours when you are ready to face some hard truths and learn about your blind spots.
The book asks White Christians to confront their blind spots when it comes to race. That is not an easy task, for anyone, to confront their blind spots. Clifford Williams approach doesn't blunt the approach but does make it easier to view by providing real life stories of former students. It is through those students' perspectives that brings the reality of what he is writing to life.
As I said above, it is never easy to confront a blind spot in one's perception of life. I'd recommend this book if 1) you are ready to confront some blind spots, 2) are willing to have the discussion, and 3) that discussion leads to some action on your part. Too often, as the students' state, the White Christian discusses and discusses with no action forthcoming. What will your action be?
I would not recommend this book if you 1) can't have empathy for someone different that you, 2) already know your answer to racial equity before reading the book, and 3) are unable to confront your blind spots. To you, this book will be a waste of your time; it will upset you; it will further drive you into the arms of your already preconceived ideas. Find something else to read instead of this.
One final note, this is written by a philosophy professor. At times it comes across as academic. That may make reading it a little more difficult. I had the benefit of hearing the professor's voice as I read it. Many will not. Don't let that put you off if you are interested in the topic, want to start/have a discussion, or want another perspective on racial equity.
For me, I'll be going through the bibliography looking for the next book(s) I want to read on the topic and search through my library for the articles that are used. This is another step down my path to understanding. It can be yours when you are ready to face some hard truths and learn about your blind spots.
January 3, 2024
This is an important read for white Christians on issues of race and justice. It's a fairly academic read (the writer is a prof), but the stories included from people of color are extremely compelling and very much worth the time to read. I appreciate the author's commitment to practical response and continued learning/action for white believers.
October 23, 2022
👀 read with eyes
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews