I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation (Prophetic Christianity)

This has to be one of the most important books written today on racial justice and reconciliation. As Dr. Walker-Barnes notes, too often women's, particularly Black women, voices are marginalized out of the conversations and framework of justice and reconciliation. Though many would say that they believe Black women are equal, their actions show that such equality is relegated to the boundaries of whiteness, boundaries that are second-class and segregated. Her reframing of the conversation is absolutely brilliant. If you care about justice, equality, reconciliation, and the fullness of what God has, then read this book!

I am so thankful for this book and cannot recommend it highly enough. I'm a white woman in my 30s who has been on this journey of learning what it looks like to pursue racial reconciliation work for the last 10 years or so. I have learned a lot, but know I still have so much to learn and that is why I am so thankful for Chanequa Walker-Brown's book. Walker-Brown brings up topics I had not thought about before (e.g., misperceptions of the Christian racial reconciliation paradigm and the need for liberation and healing as components of racial reconciliation. The latter was a huge revelation for me! ). She also discusses familiar topics in new ways (e.g., defining the four frames of color-blindness and defining intersectionality, specifically in the context of the experience of women of color.)Her book is one to read, to ponder, to pay attention to where you feel challenged and to lean in and continue to listen. It is one to be discussed with others and to share where you feel challenged or convicted and how to move forward with what you have learned. This book challenged me and also renewed my energy for continuing the journey. I am certain I will come back to this book again and again. I definitely have recommended it and will continue to recommend it to anyone wanting to seriously learn and listen from women of color. This book has profoundly impacted me and I am very grateful for it.

As a former student of Dr. Walker-Barnes, I must say that I expected nothing less from this book. Let me say this, White America, if you are serious about racial reconciliation, this is a must-read and if you're not serious about racial reconciliation, this is a must-read. When reading with an open mind, it will reveal the complicity that much of your action and inaction have played in sustaining White supremacy for the sake of maintaining your privilege, even if it denies the rights of others. For all others, if you are going to read one more book for 2019, make it this book!!Her introductory thesis statement, "I Bring the Voices of My People aims to center the voices of women of color by using a womanist framework to construct a theology of racial reconciliation" is truly the core of her writing and from interactions with her, the core of her being.I found it very critical that Dr. "C," as we call her at seminary, opens the book with the first two chapters detailing what racism is not. Her expertise in psychology and counseling lend much to the groundwork in the first two chapters. Her passion in these areas shines through. She also builds on her case with historical documentation of systemic and institutionalized racism requiring a prophetic voice. She even addresses the importance of intersectionality in not only dealing with racism but in first recognizing the humanity of all.The chapter I have and continue to spend the most time on is the third chapter, "The Unbearable Whiteness of Being." In light of the events surrounding the trial, conviction, and sentencing of the former officer, Amber Guyger, in the murder of Botham Jean, it highlights the importance of understanding the appeal and danger of centering whiteness. This chapter calls out the American church and its leadership for complicity and open participation in the atrocities committed against the African Diaspora, in the forms of enslavement, beatings, breeding, and lynching. I am still reading, but I highly recommend this as a text for any class that even only mentions racial reconciliation. I will update as I continue to read and digest Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes' book.

In this brilliant and prophetic book, Walker-Barnes helps us see the deep roots of racism and patriarchy entwined with the history and culture of the church. Drawing on powerful intersectional wisdom and womanist perspective, the author calls us to active repentance towards genuinely reconciliation and healing. Now more than ever we need this book.

I can't recommend this book enough. It takes us beyond the beginner discussions about racism in the U.S. and dives us deep into complex territory. It masterfully and logically critiques the way racial reconciliation has been approached in the past, embraces intersectionality and illuminates how race and gender coexist, has the most profound understandings of whiteness, colorblindness, moral injury I have read to date, and provides a path forward for POCs. It is well-written and engaging, a true masterpiece. This book is truly a must read and belongs on the bookshelf of anyone committed to the work of racial justice.

Reading this book was so helpful for me because Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes dives deep into the many ways racism manifests in our society and in our world. She's speaking from a place of profound love and profound conviction for wholistic and authentic racial justice. At least that's how I felt as I was reading her book. She won't relinquish either of those and that in itself was a profound lesson I was learning as I was reading her book.I appreciated her discussion on the four frames of color-blind racism. After reading and rereading that section many times, I find that these frames present themselves in almost every conversation I'm having with others. So, I'm able to speak to them when I hear them.Reading this book will equip you with an essential understanding of what racial reconciliation is and what it requires. I feel grateful to have read it and I plan to give copies away as gifts.