The Color of Compromise
Jemar Tisby
22 min
9 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the deep-rooted history of racism within the American Church and learn about its ongoing impact on society today.
You'll learn
1. How racism played out in American churches2. The church's part in keeping racism alive3. Understanding our role in racial unfairness4. Ways to fight racial injustice in churches5. Why it's key to face the church's racist past for a better future6. How to chat about race and religion without stepping on toes.Key points
01We need to be real about how the church played a part in racism in America
Let's talk about a tough topic: the role the church has played in the history of racism in America. It's a big part of our society, shaping our norms, values, and beliefs. But it hasn't always used its influence for good. In fact, it's often been part of the problem, either by actively supporting racism or by staying silent when it should have spoken up. Take, for example, a tragic event that happened in Birmingham, Alabama, back in 1963. Four young Black girls were killed when their church was bombed during a Sunday service. The day after, a white lawyer named Charles Morgan Jr. gave a speech blaming everyone for the bombing. He said it was the result of a culture of hate and racism that had been allowed to grow unchecked. His words didn't go down well with the white community, and he had to move his family for their safety. This event shows how the church has been part of the problem. The bombing wasn't a one-off. It was a symptom of the deep-seated racism that's been part of American society for far too long. And the church, as a major part of society, didn't do enough to fight it. In many cases, it even added fuel to the fire. But acknowledging this is the first step towards making things right. It's not enough to just know the truth. We have to act on it. That means facing up to the uncomfortable reality of the church's role in supporting racism and doing something to fix it. The book suggests that reconciliation and solidarity are the way forward, but that's going to take some sacrifices. In short, it's time to face up to the truth about the church's role in racism and do something about it. It won't be easy, but it's necessary if we want to build a fairer, more just society.
02Christianity was twisted to make room for racist beliefs
In Jemar Tisby's exploration of the tangled relationship between Christianity and racism in the United States, he makes a compelling case that the Christian faith was twisted and compromised to support and perpetuate racial discrimination. Let's take a step back and look at the historical backdrop. Christianity, at its heart, preaches equality and brotherhood among all people, no matter their race or ethnicity. But in America's history, this core belief was warped to justify and uphold slavery. There were Christians who stood up for racial equality and human dignity, seeing the gospel as a light of hope and freedom. This was especially true for Black people, who, despite being enslaved, found comfort and resilience in Christianity. They connected with the story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt in the Bible, hoping that God would free them from their oppressors. This is a big reason why Black people are the most religious group in the US today. But there's another side to this story. There were white supremacists who twisted Christian teachings to maintain their power and control over Black people. A glaring example of this is a law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in September 1667. This law declared that baptism, a holy Christian ritual symbolizing spiritual rebirth and equality in God's eyes, didn't change a person's status. So, if a person was a slave before baptism, they stayed a slave after baptism. This law was a blatant betrayal of Christian values. It was passed because missionaries wanted to share the gospel with slaves. But slave owners were scared that if their slaves became Christians, they would be seen as equals in God's eyes, which would upset the social order. To stop this, they twisted Christianity, creating a warped version that let them keep control over slaves. This historical twisting of Christianity to make room for racism isn't just a thing of the past. Even today, some people brush off the church's involvement in racism as liberalism or Marxism, refusing to face the uncomfortable truth. In wrapping up, Tisby's exploration shows how Christianity was compromised to make space for racism in America. It's a stark reminder of how religion can be warped to serve those in power, and a call to action for the church to face its past and strive for racial reconciliation.
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03Between 1500 and 1700, people chose money over respect, leading to racial division
04The Great Awakening made Protestantism attractive to slaves in the mid-1700s
05Protestant churches were part of the problem of slavery and racism in America
06After the Revolutionary War, white supremacy became the US's identity
07Religious reasons were used to justify slavery during the Civil War, showing how deep Christianity's involvement was
08After the Civil War, Black people had a brief chance at equality
09Conclusion
About Jemar Tisby
Jemar Tisby is an African American historian, writer, and speaker. He is the president of The Witness, a Black Christian Collective, and co-host of the Pass The Mic podcast. Tisby is known for his work on racial justice, diversity, and community development within the church.
