Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Call number
261.8 WYT
Publication
IVP Books (2017), 208 pages
Description
It's clear that issues of race and equality have come to the forefront in our nation's consciousness. Every week yet another incident involving racial tension splashes across headlines and dominates our news feeds. But it's not easy to unpack the origins of these tensions, and perhaps we wonder whether any of these issues really has anything to do with us. Ken Wytsma, founder of the Justice Conference, understands these questions. He has gone through his own journey of understanding the underpinnings of inequality and privilege. In this timely, insightful book Wytsma unpacks what we need to know to be grounded in conversations about today's race-related issues. And he helps us come to a deeper understanding of both the origins of these issues and the reconciling role we are called to play as witnesses of the gospel. Inequality and privilege are real. The Myth of Equality opens our eyes to realities we may have never realized were present in our society and world. And we will be changed for the better as a result. - from publisher.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member deusvitae
A reasonable but thorough examination by an Evangelical into the challenges of racial inequality in America.
The author, who is white, starts off with his own story and the "normal" (read: white) American experience. He then speaks to the history of racism and oppression in America, including
He then turns to Christianity and speaks regarding the comfort of privilege, whether racial/social justice has any standing in terms of the Gospel message, and the theological challenges posed by escapist salvation and individualism in American Christianity.
From there he discusses how difficult it can be to recognize one's privilege and what to do about it: how racism went from something evident and obvious to implicit and subliminal, a defense of elements of liberation theology, and being willing to give space to others, to hear and get to understand their position without defensiveness, and proving willing to work toward real and substantive equality.
I doubt this will be a comfortable book for much of Evangelicalism and Christians who would align on the conservative side of the spectrum religiously and/or politically, but it would be an important work to consider.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The author, who is white, starts off with his own story and the "normal" (read: white) American experience. He then speaks to the history of racism and oppression in America, including
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slavery, the post-Reconstruction South, and even regarding redlining and other such forms of discrimination whose effects remain to this day. He then turns to Christianity and speaks regarding the comfort of privilege, whether racial/social justice has any standing in terms of the Gospel message, and the theological challenges posed by escapist salvation and individualism in American Christianity.
From there he discusses how difficult it can be to recognize one's privilege and what to do about it: how racism went from something evident and obvious to implicit and subliminal, a defense of elements of liberation theology, and being willing to give space to others, to hear and get to understand their position without defensiveness, and proving willing to work toward real and substantive equality.
I doubt this will be a comfortable book for much of Evangelicalism and Christians who would align on the conservative side of the spectrum religiously and/or politically, but it would be an important work to consider.
**--galley received as part of early review program
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LibraryThing member bemislibrary
The thesis compares inequality, privilege, and responsibility in the United States from an evangelist point of view. Author Wystma begins with a look at colonialism and settlement of the United States. As he gets into the Civil War and migration of minorities north and westward, he brings up the
Goodreads Giveaway randomly chose me to receive this book. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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conflict between theories on why the Civil War started. Some believe it was over slavery and others over states’ rights. It highlighted the contrast between one pastor’s defenses of slavery based on the bible while another opposed slavery as anti-Christian. Overall, it seems the cause-driven society has become like a buffet. The food might all be good, but people choose what appeals to them in the moment without regard to health, the source of the food, or whether there is enough food for all at the table. The author provides extensive notes, recommended readings and an index. Wytsma holds Master Degrees in both Philosophy and Biblical Studies. He is President of Kilns College and is a church Lead Pastor of Antioch in Bend, Oregon.Goodreads Giveaway randomly chose me to receive this book. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member NadineC.Keels
So. Is privilege in the United States real, or is it something that people imagine, for any number of reasons? Author Ken Wytsma takes a look at this issue in The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege.
In my book reviews, I normally don’t make a big point of the
I’ll also note that this book isn’t out to just broadcast grievances, to shame the country, and to make people feel guilty. No, this is about seeing the historical roots of a very real problem, as you can’t truly remedy anything without getting to the bottom of it. The author also includes action points, so readers won’t be left with this problem without any idea what to do next.
The book has so many compelling points, like the need not to merely do acts of justice, but to become just. Or the idea that people might think they’re following the golden rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) when really they’re following the silver rule (“Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t have them do to you.”) The silver rule is passive. The golden rule requires action.
I highly recommend this book for the Christian community. If you think racial issues are “just politics” or not something that Christians should be too concerned about, I’d encourage you all the more to read this.
_______________________
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
In my book reviews, I normally don’t make a big point of the
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author’s race or gender. Nevertheless, I’ll note that this book, which is directed toward a Christian audience, was written by a white man. And, yes, a lot of people—especially white people—should read it. It’s important to bear in mind that the fight for racial equality in the U.S. isn’t something any one race should be fighting for alone.I’ll also note that this book isn’t out to just broadcast grievances, to shame the country, and to make people feel guilty. No, this is about seeing the historical roots of a very real problem, as you can’t truly remedy anything without getting to the bottom of it. The author also includes action points, so readers won’t be left with this problem without any idea what to do next.
The book has so many compelling points, like the need not to merely do acts of justice, but to become just. Or the idea that people might think they’re following the golden rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) when really they’re following the silver rule (“Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t have them do to you.”) The silver rule is passive. The golden rule requires action.
I highly recommend this book for the Christian community. If you think racial issues are “just politics” or not something that Christians should be too concerned about, I’d encourage you all the more to read this.
_______________________
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
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Awards
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Religion — 2017)
Physical description
8.5 inches
ISBN
9780830845682