The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism

Tisby explains that half a century after the civil rights movement, racial discrimination in America persists. Black unemployment rates are higher, while churches and schools remain segregated. The reluctance of the church to confront racism maintains the chasm between white and Black Christians. Tisby suggests practical steps to battle inequality, advising Christians to focus on the “impersonal systems” that reinforce racial injustice.

The Arc of Racial Justice

Tisby identifies the ARC of antiracist actions as Awareness, Relationships, and Commitment. He explains that awareness comes from the study of the racial history of America, such as by watching documentaries, diversifying one’s social media, accessing podcasts and websites, and doing internet research. He says that people must also develop interracial relationships by expanding their social circles. For Tisby, commitment is necessary for antiracist action to become a way of life. People must create something, whether a book, a sermon or something else, that promotes justice. They can also join organizations, donate, vote, and speak to candidates in elected offices about racial issues.

Reparation(s)

The issue of reparations toward Black people for their historical oppression through enslavement remains controversial. Tisby notes that the issue extends to the Jim Crow era because African Americans lost opportunities in education, employment, and economic advancement.