Before I write any further about living justly, I want to take the time to post some resources on American history. I know it is a bit of a trend to post these types of resources, but Ruth and I would like to add some of our own suggestions to your (hopefully growing) list. While not all the below resources come from a Christian perspective or advocate for grace the way we would like, we think they are valuable resources and worth reading or watching.
I, Debbie, was privileged to hear Mark Charles speak at a conference in Queens two years ago. Mark Charles is of Navajo and Dutch ancestry, and writes a blog called 5 Small Loaves (Pursuing Racial Reconciliation Through Honest Education, Intentional Conversation and Meaningful Action). He believes that Christians will be unable to unite and accomplish work for social justice until we all agree upon a common history. As long as White Americans believe that the beginning and expansion of our nation’s existence was a glorious one, we will be unable to unite with Christians of color or be agents of truth in our nation today. I know he is not the only Christian who has published a history of the US previously unknown to many Americans. I just want to point you to various resources Ruth and I have come upon. I haven’t read Kendi’s book, but am including it at the recommendation of others.
I believe the old adage that if we don’t know history we are doomed to repeat it. American history is a cautionary tale. Accurate history can help us change. It also helps us understand how current events affect people today. Past injustice produced trauma for many people of color. Injustice has also taken place repetitively. Injustice has evolved in form, from the highly visible forms such as slavery and Jim Crow laws, to less visible forms today. The majority group might believe systemic forms of racism have been eradicated, while people of color continue to experience real life, systemic impediments to thriving on a daily basis. Then when a public injustice takes place in the present, it triggers intense feelings of trauma, and summons up the history again, particularly when, repeatedly, that injustice is not prosecuted or redressed.
Many of you have already taken this step of learning the inglorious side of the formation of our country. But for those of us who have not, Ruth and I offer the following suggestions. This list is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. We encourage you to look beyond this list for additional resources. Finally, several of the American History books by non-Christian authors we include are suitable for younger audiences. This is intentional on our part. We want to encourage you to include your children in the journey of learning American history.
Mark Charles on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_qop7tNvh8
Ibram Kendi: Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Jemar Tisby’s book on American church history: The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism
Article by Carey Wallace: https://time.com/5929478/christianity-white-supremacy/?fbclid=IwAR3L-jdY975TLPArRkqMu-pZtK0IlnyCVzTwwA4_Ia9pag5Tn_bL91C55Zw
American History Books by Non-Christian authors:
Charles C. Mann: Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 – an excellent history of the early Americas accessible to both adults and children
Ronald Takaki: A different mirror for young people: A History of Multicultural America – a history of America aimed at an upper middle/high school audience that is also an easy read for adults
Howard Zinn: A People’s History of the United States – I haven’t read this but the young people’s version was recommended.
Kadir Nelson: Heart and Soul: The story of America and African Americans – a beautifully illustrated and well written picture book of African American history. Suitable for older elementary children to adults
Dee Brown: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee – a history of America’s westward expansion based on primary source documents. Heart breaking.