I have recently read two books on racism. One author writes from a secular (albeit not anti-religious) perspective; the other from an overtly Christian perspective (as might be expected in a book from an evangelical publisher). Each author is black; each, a southerner. Each writer addresses a post-Obama nation. Each book offers insights into the shameful problem of racism in the United States. Each book acknowledges America’s failure to live up to the vision embodied in the words: “all men are created equal.” Each book admits there is much to be done in exorcising racism from our nation’s ethos. Only one of the books celebrates the progress the nation has made in challenging racism. Only one of the books offers hope. That book is not the book written from the Christian perspective. Simply put, I find that sad.
