#ELBookClub February 2021 pick
I have read several books at this point about racism and race reconciliation after the events of the past year. And to be honest, I still have many more to read. More research, more reading, more conversations, more prayer. But man, did this one hit home. Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison. Tasha does such a wonderful job of anchoring her words in scripture, and in focusing her conversation on diving into our faith to move towards reconciliation as as whole.
Last year, I wrote my thoughts on racism as a white woman, and while I do believe my sentiments will remain the same (it all boils down to loving God, and loving people) I can truly say that Tasha’s words have moved my heart further towards increased action.
After everything that happened last year my bookshelf both physically and metaphorically have been filled with books on racism, race reconciliation and American history. As a white woman I know that there’s much that I need to do in the ways of recognizing and taking ownership of my own privilege, the systemic issues in our country, and the thoughts and feelings of the persons of color in not only my immediate community but in the world. I have long believed that the only way to truly understand an issue, is to fully grasp all sides of it.
To be honest, most of the literature that I have read over the last year has been mostly from folks of color berating white people, shaking their finger at the injustice of white supremacy. Offering little in the way of anything aside from elements of their situation and their experience of the world.
And while the stories are certainly valid and necessary to hear, what I appreciated most about Tasha’s book is that it is coming from a place of reconciliation through Christ, not solely in regards to racism. One thing I have felt that has been missing from the conversation on race that has exploded in the past year given the unjust deaths at the police officers hands throughout this country, the multitude of gang violence, and the domestic incidents that have risen purely from the isolation from the coronavirus, is the narrative in a message that the kingdom of Christ.
I wrote a piece last year about how as a white woman I will never understand all of the intricacies that persons of color are feeling in our cultural time in this country. However I do maintain the single greatest action that can contribute to the reconciliation of a country torn apart and divided by the color of our skin is again to show one another love regardless of gender, race or otherwise.
Tasha does such a remarkable job and I highly recommend this book!
Get your copy at Amazon.
Follow Tasha on Instagram, and head over to her website for more or head to the Be The Bridge website
