Witnessing Whiteness: Confronting White Supremacy in the American Church

In Witnessing Whiteness,Kristopher Norris examines the challenges of race, church, and politics in America and argues for a new ethics of responsibility to confront white supremacy. He focuses on the theological roots of white supremacy and proposes concrete practices to challenge the white church's and white theology's complicity in white supremacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In his book "Witnessing Whiteness," Kristopher Norris delves into the complex challenges that arise at the intersection of race, church, and politics in America. He advocates for a new ethics of responsibility to confront white supremacy, recognizing the urgent need to address the pervasive impact of whiteness on society. Norris offers a comprehensive analysis of how whiteness, as a social and identity formation process, perpetuates racial division within American Christianity and the limitations of efforts at racial reconciliation. He seeks deeper theological roots to understand the underlying causes of racial injustice, focusing on the influential thinkers of the past half century, Stanley Hauerwas and James Cone. Through an examination of the current manifestations of racism in American churches, exploration of the theological foundations of white supremacy, and reflection on the ways whiteness affects even well-intentioned, progressive white theologians, Norris diagnoses the ways in which all aspects of white theology and white Christian practice contribute to white supremacy. By identifying the roots of white supremacy within the Christian church's theology and practice, he argues that the white church holds a unique and fundamental responsibility to address this issue.

"Witnessing Whiteness" uncovers this responsibility ethic at the convergence of two prominent streams in theological ethics: traditionalist witness theology and black liberationist theology. By leveraging their shared resources and addressing the critiques liberation theology raises against traditionalism, Norris proposes concrete practices to challenge the complicity of the white church and white theology in perpetuating white supremacy.

This book is a crucial contribution to the ongoing conversation about race, religion, and social justice. It challenges readers to examine their own biases and assumptions and to engage in meaningful dialogue and action to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate white supremacy. Norris's thoughtful and provocative analysis provides a roadmap for the white church to embrace its role as a catalyst for change and to work towards a more just and equitable society for all.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190055813