White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America
176 Pages
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press, Ferris and Ferris Books
Release Date: March 22, 2021
The author stresses that the term “White” in the title refers to the fact that evangelical moved from theological to political. The movement has changed much since the 1970s when it embraced the Republican party. There are Black evangelicals like Tom Skinner and others, but they do not align with the majority of the evangelicals.
One of the originators of the evangelical movement was Billy Graham in the 1950s. Things are certainly different now in 2021 where many evangelicals court Trump and the far right. Those that support Trump, believe racism is not a moral disqualification in the president of the United States as stated by Michael Gerson in 2018.
The author gives an example of a mixed-race couple looking to rent a hall for a wedding reception in Mississippi. They were told by the event hall owner that it was against their Christian race or belief. This did not happen in the 1950s or 1960s; this happened in 2019. She touches on the topics of racism, birtherism, islamophobia, and discrimination to the LGBTQIA community. She also goes into detail about the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Franklin Graham and how they set the stage for the 2016 election. Donald Trump began pushing birtherism and Islamophobia in 2011 along with evangelical media outlets until Obama released his long form birth certificate.
She concludes with her definition of what evangelicalism has become. This book is not for everyone. However, if you believe in equal rights for all, Black Lives Matter, and children should not be in cages at the border, you will understand and appreciate reading this book.
