Suggested Reading: Jemar Tisby — Justin R. Phillips

Anyone who has attempted to write something of substance, gone to graduate school, or tried to do both at the same time probably shakes their head when they take a quick glance at Jemar Tisby’s work in the past couple of years. Aaron Burr from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton could have been talking about Tisby when he said, “Man, the man is non-stop.”

Tisby, a PhD candidate in history at the University of Mississippi, has already made his mark by communicating the intersections of race and religion through cohosting a popular podcast Pass the Mic and producing two excellent books with just a little over a year between the two works’ publications…while probably still working on his dissertation and teaching (like most doctoral students), keeping numerous speaking engagements, and generally just educating the masses.

For me, Tisby’s works are about to be in regular rotation for my teaching schedules to say nothing of keeping them close for personal reference.

In his first work, The Color of Compromise (Zondervan, 2019), Tisby produces a concise historical overview of the American Church’s complicity in racism as the book’s subtitle notes. In just under two hundred pages (through the first ten chapters) of easily readable text Tisby lays out five-plus centuries of American history that clearly traces our troubling history. He writes:

“One of the reasons churches can’t shake the shackles of segregation is that few have undertaken the regimen of aggressive treatment the malady requires. It seems like most Christians in America don’t know how bad racism really is, so they don’t respond with the necessary urgency. Even when Christians realize the need for change, they often shrink back from the sacrifices that transformation entails.” (15)

Tisby skillfully brings the reader through the atrocities of slavery and the Civil War, but his work really shines by tying together past to the present, by highlighting systemic problems like the law-and-order policies of the fifties to name but one example. Of particular interest to me was Tisby’s poignant chapter “Reconsidering Racial Reconciliation in the Age of Black Lives Matter,” which names the backlash people of color face from white Christians when they dare speak of injustices like police violence. In short, white institutions happily welcome people of color onto their boards and staff, so long as they do not voice support for justice movements. (If you doubt Tisby’s claim, then I’d like to invite you to set up a Twitter account).

Tisby’s final chapter focuses on practical steps for doing this work, which he expands upon in his second book How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice (Zondervan, 2021).

Tisby has conceived of an excellent structure for How to Fight Racism, which centers upon the “ARC” of racial justice, listed here:

Awareness: Learning what you did not previously know.
Relationships: Building cross-cultural relationships means “those we previously viewed as “problems” become people” (5).
Commitment: Dismantling racist structures, laws, and policies.

As the title denotes, this is a “how to” book, and Tisby shows a lot of care for the reader. His teaching impulse is made clear through translating the book’s ARC structure in bodily terms: Awareness is the “head,” Relationships are the “heart” and Commitment represents the “hands.” You need the entire body to do the work of racial justice.

Tisby walks us through each section—Awareness, Relationships, Commitment—with clear “how to” chapters (How to Explore Your Racial Identity, How to Make Friends, How to Orient Your Life to Racial Justice, etc.) with each one including practices for racial justice. Those who lead organizations will find several, incredibly helpful portions for addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Finally, Tisby makes two points that resonate with me as a reader and as a fellow writer-teacher on racial matters. First, Tisby’s works are based in confession. He writes:

“History and Scripture teaches us that there can be no reconciliation without repentance. There can be no repentance without confession.” (COC, 15)

“But a church has not truly reckoned with its racism until it ceases to hide it. Perfection on race is not a requirement for progress, but honesty is.” (HTFR, 100)

Tisby, however, is not simply calling for some abstract offender to confess; he models this practice several times himself, admitting moments that he has fallen short of exhibiting grace toward others. This kind of modeling is refreshing, particularly in a time where too many seem to be consumed by self-preservation at all costs.

Second, Tisby encourages white readers to “go through a process of deconstructing the ways white supremacy has skewed your perception in order to see the reality of race more clearly” (185). If you recognize this in yourself, then you might appreciate my forthcoming book, which I’ll be sharing more news about very soon.

Who will appreciate Tisby’s work?

The Color of Compromise: Teachers and professors for all levels who need a handy reference for the ways racism has infected the Church or has been explained away too easily. For the history buffs, this text is an enjoyable read, and if the subject is new to you then you’ll get up-to-speed on a complex, often under-told history.

How to Fight Racism: If How to Fight Racism is the first book you pick up on the subject matter, then you would come away with a wealth of practical suggestions to continue your self-education and concrete action steps to apply those lessons. If you’ve picked up a book or two in the last year on race/racism, then Tisby will walk you through that journey a few more miles down the road. His practical steps are tailored for everyone regardless of position—teacher, pastor, nonprofit leader, or even small business owner.

No matter your community or profession, Jemar Tisby has a good word for you. The man is non-stop.