Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity

As a tenured white Christian, I grew up in a very bigoted community, went to a bigoted school, and grew up thinking "white flight" was just the way it was. I was convinced that going to a church in a multiethnic community had solved many of my ill-conceived notions of race. Like Mr. Gilbreath writes in the first line of his book, "I am sick and tired of racial reconciliation," so was I. Or so I thought. As the chapters of the book unfolded, I found myself getting angrier and angrier at the perceived "stones" that Mr. Gilbreath was throwing at the "church." And then my heart broke. I finally understood the ignorance I had toward a community that was oppressed; that I, unknowingly, oppressed. As Christ longed for us to love our neighbors, that process begins with getting to know our neighbors. I strongly believe that all believers need to have the veil of ignorance lifted by this book, so that the discussion, (and healing) can then begin.

Every now and then someone asks, "Aren't we through with the issue of racial reconciliation yet?" Ed Gilbreath gives a comprehensive response to that question with the insight of a journalist who's been covering the topic throughout his career. This book is written in a very personal, and approachable tone, yet doesn't pull any punches in dealing out the truth. My black friends are responding that this book says exactly how they feel toward the white evangelical church. My white friends are starting to get why this is still an issue. This book is a must-read for people on both sides of the equation who care about making the Church truly reconciled.

This book has helped me tremendously to understand the state and problem of racism in the American Evangelical Church. It is indeed a sad story.Frankly, after I read several chapters and stories from the book about those who have been victimized and belittled because of their race, I asked: Is there hope for racial reconciliation and unity in the church today in America? The church has failed to embrace and celebrate biblical diversity in her midst. Gilbreath has done a great service to the church, walking her through the pain and suffering of racial division and segregation in Christian institutions. The author presents a careful, well-written expose of the current state of the subject-matter. The most comfortable thing is Gilbreath still believes change is not the last thing to hope for; racial harmony can happen between different racial and ethnic groups when each learn to hear each other's experience, concern, hope and support the differences. Such a goal is not easy to attain, it will require hard and persisent effort on the part of both groups and individuals (e.g. whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, etc)

Not interested in reading another book about racial reconciliation? Read this one anyway. Gibreath weaves his own story and the stories of other contemporary Christians into the solid framework of history, creating a powerful narrative that subtly shakes the Christian out of complacency on the issue of race. Without a hint of cynicism, Gilbreath challenges the evangelical church, of which he is an active part, to look at history and learn; to look at the present and change; to look toward the future and grow. The tone is decidedly redemptive, and by the end, you'll be hoping and praying for change in your own heart and church.

I've read a number of books and articles on "race" issues, but none so simultaneously challenging and engaging as this. Gilbreath, whose desire is to be a bridge-building journalist, has got his wish come true in the bold decision to put this gentle tsunami into print. RB contains less theology than one might expect. Even so, as part memoir, history lesson, journalism, and prophecy, this is a book I'll come back to for... - the stories of famous (and sometimes infamous) black reconcilers - the personal unfolding of Gilbreath's own story - the compelling call to love, that comes not so much through preaching as through a steady wooing over its 186 pages - the concise summary of a movement and the stubborn hope for its future -the excellent writing (yes, as a writer, I was paying attention to technique) - the many ideas for action, folded seamlessly into the text along the way - a moving conclusion, that brought me to tears, even as it refused to offer pat directions to what Gilbreath understands as a movement in mourning The book opens with a quote, "I am sick and tired of racial reconciliation." But readers will ultimately find it hard to echo the sentiment. For, to paraphrase another chapter-opening quote, "There are books that ask questions and books that answer."* Reconciliation Blues does both, in a way that will not let us go. *original quote is from Zora Neale Hurston..."There are years that ask questions and years that answer."