He's the kind of white male Democrat that Democrats need to turn this tide against white male authoritarian Republicans.
Certainly, I am all for Jasmine Crockett, and happy that she's going to continue for now in the house of representatives.
Happy to see quality young people like the both of them in Texas.
I miss the days when how "Christian" somebody is was not a qualification for political office. I think Republicans have shown us that touting somebody's Christianity or their allegiance to "Christian values" only creates incompetent politicians. I like how Talarico doesn't brag about his Christian faith, he criticizes those who try to use it for advantage.
Most importantly, I believe he is competent for office. I'm actually tired of any kind of "Christian" measuring stick.
“ The Black church has been speaking the language of justice and liberation for centuries.
Maybe it’s time the rest of American Christianity finally learned how to listen.”
Amen Jemar. At our lily white church we read Howard Thurman and preach social justice but we don’t really know how to do it. The community I live in now is far more racially segregated than the one I grew up in and it is easy to be blind to injustice. Our church is also wrestling with the Christian Nationalist threads woven in our history and struggling to avoid complicit silence.
I'm a paid subscriber,Jemar, I purchased and I'm reading the spirit of Justice, I reference your work in online meditation communities I help guide. I say that to let you know that I am purposely turning to you to learn things I had not yet learned about the black Christian tradition of liberation, I have read extensively Martin Luther King Jr, some Howard Thurman and I listen to William Barber and yes I know of Raphael Warnock and I'm grateful for his work. is there more I could learn? sure and that's why I'm reading your book right now and listening to you. as an old white woman raised in the Catholic tradition and having worked for years to spread the Catholic Social teaching, I am now in a local United Methodist Church because I needed one that stood for real inclusivity of everyone. I might ask you how deeply you have studied feminist theology. but what moves me today to respond is that I agree if David French had made it clear that it is because talarico is a white male Christian speaking directly about the heresies of white primarily patriarchal Christian nationalism, he would have made it much more clear why people like me have been uplifted by talarico's win. we needed to see a white male Christian be willing to take on the heresies of white Christian nationalism. maybe it's not fair but I sort of take for granted that black Christians and women Christians will take it on. it's just rare to see a white male Christian with such clarity be willing to take it on right now in 2026 when the repression is getting more and more intense and dangerous. and of course it's incredibly intense and dangerous for black Christians and women black or white Christians under this current regime. I just am grateful to hear a white male Christian take such a strong stand right now here in 2026.
I'm a white female Christian follower of Jemar Tisby, hugely grateful for Black Christian political leadership in our country throughout our history. For me, it's almost jarring to hear Talerico, a white male, speak publicly directly about Christian faith, especially about politics. I live on the West Coast, where white people don't talk about faith outside of church. But we love hearing Black politicians speak so comfortably about faith. I especially think about Cory Booker, who doesn't claim any expertice but talks in ways that are so clearly Christian.
I think you're on to something, and I agree with what you've written here. I'm viewing Talarico's candidacy (not necessarily the fact that he had to face off against Jasmine Crockett) as the opportunity for your/ my fellow White Christians to pay heed to *one of their own* calling them out. To me, Talarico is a breath of fresh air. And yes, I believe David French's assumption is what you've articulated here: The Black and Brown communities aren't mentioned here because 1) they're expected to resist, as a norm, and 2) we have to call our fellow White Christians to do likewise. So no, I wouldn't have expected French to articulate explicitly that fact in his column. Not his audience here. I hope we hear from BOTH Talarico *and* Crockett in the future. Blessings!
"The problem isn’t that people are finally hearing a Christian politician talk about justice. The problem is that many of them had to hear it from a white man before they recognized it as Christianity."
Absolutely agree, here Dr. Tisby. Recent experience I can share: listening to white Christian leaders preach about the immigration crisis over the last year, and I've agreed with almost all of what's been proclaimed.
And yet, when I listened to Bishop LaTrelle Easterling preach at the recent gathering of UMC clergy and leaders in DC, for a day of Faithful Resistance, I asked myself why I wasn't listening to more clergy of color for a much different experience of prophetic word. Here's her message if you care to watch or listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXzgE8IGmA
As someone who is active in advocacy and justice, I can say there is always time to listen and learn. Just make sure we're listening to all voices and not just white voices.
Absolutely right about French's (and others') statements: they don't 'see' women, blacks, religions which don't have a capital C, etc. Please keep on opening their eyes!!!
Oh my! Just listened to Rev Dr Frederick D. Haynes, III. Moving, so affirming! Have heard many sermons by Rev Dr Otis Moss, III (especially during covid), but first time blessed by Haynes! Thank you!
OK, I am a older white cisgender male Jesus follower who has been working in justice movements for 30+ years in places like Berkeley, Nicaragua, Americus GA, Atlanta, Greece among several other global contexts. And yes, I need to learn how to listen better. Jemar, I agree the Black Christian political tradition does more than offer historical insight—it offers the spiritual and political resources we need right now. Particularly, your book "The Spirit of Justice" demonstrates the tradition is more than the Civil Rights movement of the 1950 - 1970s. Thank you. Please continue to inform us of this tradition. However, it may be helpful to recognize that that the Black Christian political tradition is one of several traditions that can inform us in our current moment of false dichotomies of Christian or secular political choices. Examples might include Koinonia Farm/Jubilee Partners, Jimmy Carter, Catholic Base Communities throughout Latin America, the Nicaraguan protestant church during the US war with the Sandinistas, Oscar Romero and the Jesuits in El Salvador, the farmworker movement, etc. So the Black Christian political tradition "and" and not just "the" source to inform us how Christian can lead us at the intersection of Christian faith and politics. Keep preaching Jemar.
Great analysis. I saw French’s statement, and immediately thought, “yes”! Then I saw your reaction and realized how indeed for so many of us the way white Christians express faith seems to be a default.
as a white Christian who grew up in that white bubble, I came to see how much junk was in my head when I joined a multi-ethnic Church in the early 90s. That exposed a lot of biases I had no idea I had. When I expressed some of these thought my black Christian Brothers weren't surprised at all. I appreciated that and see that period as a time of accelerated Spiritual growth in my life.
Jasmine Crockett was in the lead in the Texas primary on the eve of primary voting. Colbert chose the eve of early voting in Texas to interview James Talarico. The surrounding controversy that surrounded the interview created an even larger audience for the interview on Youtube. Colbert is bright and expresses strong political views in his comedy routines. For whatever the reason, giving Talarico a last minute advantage by not also interviewing Crockett on the eve of the election gave Talarico a huge public platform and increased his name recognition. It also boosted his campaign contributions by $2.5 million in the 24 hours after the interview. The interview closed the gap between Talarico and Crockett and played a big part in propelling Talarico to victory. While Talarico preaches a different brand of 'political' Christianity than his Republican opponents, I believe running with a Bible to back you up is dangerous no matter who is carrying it. Politics is about political justice and ethical conduct. In my opionion, where political values are grounded is not what is essential. For me, associating policy with any one religious tradition does not translate to a separation of church and state. Meanwhile, Jasmine Crockett was gerrymandered out of her current state congressional district by conservative Republicans some of whom hold White Christian Nationalist views. Rep. Crockett's congressional term ends in January, 2027. A celebrity white man used his power to throw support to a mild mannered white man who was losing on the eve of voting resulting in Talarico's win over an outspoken progressive Black woman with the Civil Rights Movement in her soul. I don't think that democracy was served.
Thank you Dr. Tisby for your thoughts on why white Christians love James Talarico. You are so right . It is Ignorance on our part. I had not given thought to what Black churches /Ministers have been about , fighting for Justice all these many tears and What your History can teach us. Just last month as we observed Black History Month I attended a presentation on the Rise and influence of African American Churches in Richmond Va. -History and social change by Dr. Elisha Burke(SacredSpaces) and Benjamin Ross. I don’t understand why the Black Church leadership doesn’t seem to be heard.JS
Great post!
I think James Talarico is on point.
He's the kind of white male Democrat that Democrats need to turn this tide against white male authoritarian Republicans.
Certainly, I am all for Jasmine Crockett, and happy that she's going to continue for now in the house of representatives.
Happy to see quality young people like the both of them in Texas.
I miss the days when how "Christian" somebody is was not a qualification for political office. I think Republicans have shown us that touting somebody's Christianity or their allegiance to "Christian values" only creates incompetent politicians. I like how Talarico doesn't brag about his Christian faith, he criticizes those who try to use it for advantage.
Most importantly, I believe he is competent for office. I'm actually tired of any kind of "Christian" measuring stick.
“ The Black church has been speaking the language of justice and liberation for centuries.
Maybe it’s time the rest of American Christianity finally learned how to listen.”
Amen Jemar. At our lily white church we read Howard Thurman and preach social justice but we don’t really know how to do it. The community I live in now is far more racially segregated than the one I grew up in and it is easy to be blind to injustice. Our church is also wrestling with the Christian Nationalist threads woven in our history and struggling to avoid complicit silence.
I'm a paid subscriber,Jemar, I purchased and I'm reading the spirit of Justice, I reference your work in online meditation communities I help guide. I say that to let you know that I am purposely turning to you to learn things I had not yet learned about the black Christian tradition of liberation, I have read extensively Martin Luther King Jr, some Howard Thurman and I listen to William Barber and yes I know of Raphael Warnock and I'm grateful for his work. is there more I could learn? sure and that's why I'm reading your book right now and listening to you. as an old white woman raised in the Catholic tradition and having worked for years to spread the Catholic Social teaching, I am now in a local United Methodist Church because I needed one that stood for real inclusivity of everyone. I might ask you how deeply you have studied feminist theology. but what moves me today to respond is that I agree if David French had made it clear that it is because talarico is a white male Christian speaking directly about the heresies of white primarily patriarchal Christian nationalism, he would have made it much more clear why people like me have been uplifted by talarico's win. we needed to see a white male Christian be willing to take on the heresies of white Christian nationalism. maybe it's not fair but I sort of take for granted that black Christians and women Christians will take it on. it's just rare to see a white male Christian with such clarity be willing to take it on right now in 2026 when the repression is getting more and more intense and dangerous. and of course it's incredibly intense and dangerous for black Christians and women black or white Christians under this current regime. I just am grateful to hear a white male Christian take such a strong stand right now here in 2026.
I'm a white female Christian follower of Jemar Tisby, hugely grateful for Black Christian political leadership in our country throughout our history. For me, it's almost jarring to hear Talerico, a white male, speak publicly directly about Christian faith, especially about politics. I live on the West Coast, where white people don't talk about faith outside of church. But we love hearing Black politicians speak so comfortably about faith. I especially think about Cory Booker, who doesn't claim any expertice but talks in ways that are so clearly Christian.
I think you're on to something, and I agree with what you've written here. I'm viewing Talarico's candidacy (not necessarily the fact that he had to face off against Jasmine Crockett) as the opportunity for your/ my fellow White Christians to pay heed to *one of their own* calling them out. To me, Talarico is a breath of fresh air. And yes, I believe David French's assumption is what you've articulated here: The Black and Brown communities aren't mentioned here because 1) they're expected to resist, as a norm, and 2) we have to call our fellow White Christians to do likewise. So no, I wouldn't have expected French to articulate explicitly that fact in his column. Not his audience here. I hope we hear from BOTH Talarico *and* Crockett in the future. Blessings!
"The problem isn’t that people are finally hearing a Christian politician talk about justice. The problem is that many of them had to hear it from a white man before they recognized it as Christianity."
Absolutely agree, here Dr. Tisby. Recent experience I can share: listening to white Christian leaders preach about the immigration crisis over the last year, and I've agreed with almost all of what's been proclaimed.
And yet, when I listened to Bishop LaTrelle Easterling preach at the recent gathering of UMC clergy and leaders in DC, for a day of Faithful Resistance, I asked myself why I wasn't listening to more clergy of color for a much different experience of prophetic word. Here's her message if you care to watch or listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXzgE8IGmA
As someone who is active in advocacy and justice, I can say there is always time to listen and learn. Just make sure we're listening to all voices and not just white voices.
That’s a powerful reflection. And being conscious of our assumptions is a key to eliminating blind spots.
White supremacy has such a powerful grasp on US politics that any time a white politician fights back, yes.
But, yes, notice that that still discounts a significant part of the Christian community
Absolutely right about French's (and others') statements: they don't 'see' women, blacks, religions which don't have a capital C, etc. Please keep on opening their eyes!!!
Oh my! Just listened to Rev Dr Frederick D. Haynes, III. Moving, so affirming! Have heard many sermons by Rev Dr Otis Moss, III (especially during covid), but first time blessed by Haynes! Thank you!
Excellent. Thank you so much. Gave me a lot to think about.
Preach!!
Thank you. Gave me some things to think about and ponder!
OK, I am a older white cisgender male Jesus follower who has been working in justice movements for 30+ years in places like Berkeley, Nicaragua, Americus GA, Atlanta, Greece among several other global contexts. And yes, I need to learn how to listen better. Jemar, I agree the Black Christian political tradition does more than offer historical insight—it offers the spiritual and political resources we need right now. Particularly, your book "The Spirit of Justice" demonstrates the tradition is more than the Civil Rights movement of the 1950 - 1970s. Thank you. Please continue to inform us of this tradition. However, it may be helpful to recognize that that the Black Christian political tradition is one of several traditions that can inform us in our current moment of false dichotomies of Christian or secular political choices. Examples might include Koinonia Farm/Jubilee Partners, Jimmy Carter, Catholic Base Communities throughout Latin America, the Nicaraguan protestant church during the US war with the Sandinistas, Oscar Romero and the Jesuits in El Salvador, the farmworker movement, etc. So the Black Christian political tradition "and" and not just "the" source to inform us how Christian can lead us at the intersection of Christian faith and politics. Keep preaching Jemar.
So good! How about Stacey Abrams too please
Great analysis. I saw French’s statement, and immediately thought, “yes”! Then I saw your reaction and realized how indeed for so many of us the way white Christians express faith seems to be a default.
as a white Christian who grew up in that white bubble, I came to see how much junk was in my head when I joined a multi-ethnic Church in the early 90s. That exposed a lot of biases I had no idea I had. When I expressed some of these thought my black Christian Brothers weren't surprised at all. I appreciated that and see that period as a time of accelerated Spiritual growth in my life.
Jasmine Crockett was in the lead in the Texas primary on the eve of primary voting. Colbert chose the eve of early voting in Texas to interview James Talarico. The surrounding controversy that surrounded the interview created an even larger audience for the interview on Youtube. Colbert is bright and expresses strong political views in his comedy routines. For whatever the reason, giving Talarico a last minute advantage by not also interviewing Crockett on the eve of the election gave Talarico a huge public platform and increased his name recognition. It also boosted his campaign contributions by $2.5 million in the 24 hours after the interview. The interview closed the gap between Talarico and Crockett and played a big part in propelling Talarico to victory. While Talarico preaches a different brand of 'political' Christianity than his Republican opponents, I believe running with a Bible to back you up is dangerous no matter who is carrying it. Politics is about political justice and ethical conduct. In my opionion, where political values are grounded is not what is essential. For me, associating policy with any one religious tradition does not translate to a separation of church and state. Meanwhile, Jasmine Crockett was gerrymandered out of her current state congressional district by conservative Republicans some of whom hold White Christian Nationalist views. Rep. Crockett's congressional term ends in January, 2027. A celebrity white man used his power to throw support to a mild mannered white man who was losing on the eve of voting resulting in Talarico's win over an outspoken progressive Black woman with the Civil Rights Movement in her soul. I don't think that democracy was served.
Thank you Dr. Tisby for your thoughts on why white Christians love James Talarico. You are so right . It is Ignorance on our part. I had not given thought to what Black churches /Ministers have been about , fighting for Justice all these many tears and What your History can teach us. Just last month as we observed Black History Month I attended a presentation on the Rise and influence of African American Churches in Richmond Va. -History and social change by Dr. Elisha Burke(SacredSpaces) and Benjamin Ross. I don’t understand why the Black Church leadership doesn’t seem to be heard.JS
I've always bristled at the term"American Christianity" as I believe the only modifier for Christianity should be the word authentic.