Breaking the Fine Rain of Death

Professor emilie townes has written an important and often-overlooked book about African Americans and health care. She begins and ends her argument with scripture, and while scriptural references are not used throughout (indeed parts of the book have not religious content at all), the ideas of her chosen scripture passages give a foundation for the book. Prof. townes has a command of the US health system (with all its problems and solutions) and deftly shows how Black Americans are too often left out of the health equation altogether. More than just another doomsday version of everything we're doing wrong in America, Breaking the Fine Rain of Death gives us hope for the future and at times concrete ways to work toward healthier communities for all. In this, she truly offers an "ethic of care" upon which churches and religious leaders can build.