The Spirit of Justice w/Jemar Tisby, Ph.D.

In this conversation, Will Wright and Josh Burtram interview Jemar Tisby, author of 'The Color of Compromise' and 'How to Fight Racism,' about his new book 'The Spirit of Justice.' They discuss the importance of Black theologians in the national conversation about faith and politics, the need to learn and understand history, and the stories of unsung heroes who resisted racism. Tisby shares the stories of Jarena Lee, the first woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Robert Smalls, a former slave who became a Union Navy captain and elected official. The conversation also touches on the significance of preserving Black history and the dangers of suppressing it. In this conversation, Jemar Tisby discusses the historical and present-day challenges faced by Christians in addressing racism. He highlights the need for Christians to understand the history and culture of the communities they seek to serve, and the hypocrisy of advocating for justice abroad while ignoring injustice at home. Tisby also explores the personal sacrifices made by individuals who resisted racism and emphasizes the importance of honoring their legacy. He discusses the role of faith in promoting racial justice and the need for the church to take a bold stance against racism. Tisby also addresses the decline in affiliation among white evangelical Protestants and the potential for a shift in political allegiances within the evangelical community.

Buy the book 'The Spirit of JusticeTrue Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance'

Guest Bio:

Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, where he writes about race, religion, politics, and culture. He is also cohost of the Pass The Mic podcast. He has spoken nationwide at conferences, and his writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and CNN. He is studying for a PhD in history at the University of Mississippi with a focus on race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century.

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