History was my least favorite class growing up. It really seemed to be about facts and dates, as you say. I think at every age we lack sufficient empathy, the ability to put oneself in the historical participant's shoes. Subjects that were fraught with strong emotion, such as slavery in the US or the Holocaust didn't seem to move our class discussions to a deeper place. (This frustrated my outspoken, liberal HS History teacher, as she taught us white conservative kids). Some say better civics or ethics instruction in school would have kept us from this wretched place, but ethical failures must be blamed on the church, not schools. After millions of hours of Sunday school, Bible studies, sermons, and "Dare to be a Daniel"s, here we are? In my religious spaces, spiritual formation meant turning us into Republicans. I didn't see it at the time, but that actually has been the fruit. So back to empathy, I think we must be intentional about bringing other voices into our churches and pews- it's a lot harder to demonize people when you know them. I can commit to doing that in my own church, and maybe Black History Month is a good time for me to start.
Hello Dr. Tisby, I've been unsuccessful in trying to reach you for an event with the Community Remembrance Coalition-Chatham https://www.crc-c.org/. Hope to do something in conjunction with your book and local high school students. Meanwhile, PBS has a program on Fannie Lou Hamer we hope to do a showing for the community. Please send your current contact to barnettm45@gmail.com; barnetjb@yahoo.com and eaton.deb@gmail.com.
I'm loving learning about the continuous threads of Black History in your Spirit of Justice book! As part of weekly virtual multiracial book discussions with Christians Seeking Justice (csj117.org), we've benefitted by experiencing these important actors and organizations together! Thank you for bringing us these great stories, Dr. Tisby.
We will be reading your book Spirit of Justice, the young readers version, outloud in our homeschool morning. Thank you for the work you do!
Fully agree. I plan on doing what you had suggested 2 years ago during Black History Month-to attend a Black Church.
History was my least favorite class growing up. It really seemed to be about facts and dates, as you say. I think at every age we lack sufficient empathy, the ability to put oneself in the historical participant's shoes. Subjects that were fraught with strong emotion, such as slavery in the US or the Holocaust didn't seem to move our class discussions to a deeper place. (This frustrated my outspoken, liberal HS History teacher, as she taught us white conservative kids). Some say better civics or ethics instruction in school would have kept us from this wretched place, but ethical failures must be blamed on the church, not schools. After millions of hours of Sunday school, Bible studies, sermons, and "Dare to be a Daniel"s, here we are? In my religious spaces, spiritual formation meant turning us into Republicans. I didn't see it at the time, but that actually has been the fruit. So back to empathy, I think we must be intentional about bringing other voices into our churches and pews- it's a lot harder to demonize people when you know them. I can commit to doing that in my own church, and maybe Black History Month is a good time for me to start.
Loved the book Jemar...Keep the faith.
Hello Dr. Tisby, I've been unsuccessful in trying to reach you for an event with the Community Remembrance Coalition-Chatham https://www.crc-c.org/. Hope to do something in conjunction with your book and local high school students. Meanwhile, PBS has a program on Fannie Lou Hamer we hope to do a showing for the community. Please send your current contact to barnettm45@gmail.com; barnetjb@yahoo.com and eaton.deb@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Please tell folks about why president stopped funding on Tuesday.
Folks need to go on You Tube to hear anti government propaganda by Curtis Yarvin.
JD Vance thinks this man is wonderful and Trump followed all his suggestions- Yarvin- too the letter. More out here besides Project 2025.
This is present day history.
I'm loving learning about the continuous threads of Black History in your Spirit of Justice book! As part of weekly virtual multiracial book discussions with Christians Seeking Justice (csj117.org), we've benefitted by experiencing these important actors and organizations together! Thank you for bringing us these great stories, Dr. Tisby.