Ken Wytsma is the son of immigrants to the U.S., but he is a white American, with all the privilege that brings. In grappling with the meaning and implications of that privilege, Wytsma has expounded on race relations in America in The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege. He makes some astute observations and gives some important historical foundations for his perspective, but ends up in the familiar position of white guilt.


First of all, as he writes about race, Wytsma brings some clarification and definition to the topic. These points aren't necessarily original with him, but are worth repeating. In response to people who talk about reverse racism, or racism against white people, Wytsma writes, "Racism is the diminishment of worth in men and women in and through bias, systems, and power structures that disadvantage them in tangible ways based on skin color." Since white people have not been systematically discriminated against in the U.S., prejudice against whites isn't, by this definition, racism.


A more important point is that, historically, racism as we experience it today is a relatively modern concept. Wytsma joins the school of thought that ties it to colonialism. "In order to justify colonialism, an idea like white supremacy was needed. The concept that whites were chosen by God and superior to people of color, who were less intelligent, less deserving, and savage, was born out of this need." Whether or not you agree with Wytsma's definitions and explanations, it's important to understand that many thinkers and activists hold these views as central to their perspective on race.


White Christians (or anyone else, for that matter) are on shaky ground if they try to defend racism. Sure, there are examples of it, but they are few and far between today, especially as compared to notable examples in the antebellum South. It's worth considering the role race plays in the positions and status you hold. One need not be a racist to benefit from long-held societal beliefs and structures that give an advantage to white people.


That said, I felt like Wytsma wanted me to feel guilty for being white. He wants me to go ahead and admit that I am a racist. I just don't buy it. I owe my neighbors and fellow citizens a great deal: common courtesy, respect, kindness, even brotherly love. I don't owe that because I'm white and they are black. I own them because I want to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. As Wytsma points out, "the golden rule demands action" while "the silver rule allows for passivity: do not do to others." This often means that we must "intervene in injustice." It demands generosity and demands that we pursue reconciliation.


Wytsma provides some strong biblical teaching on justice and living right, such as the above distinction between the golden rule and the "silver rule." But in his white guilt, I felt like he too extensively and unquestioningly embraces racial movements of the left. From the perspective of white guilt, black justice movements must be embraced wholly, overlooking ideological, financial, theological foundations that are counter to American values. (Yes, in a sense American values are synonymous with white values, because minorities were not part of the intellectual, educated, powerful class at the time of the founding. But I still believe values can be evaluated on their merits, without regard to the color of the skin of the writer, speaker, scholar, or artist.) White people need to be OK critiqeuing movements on their intellectual conclusions, not on the race of the proponents, without then receiving accusations of racism.



The Myth of Equality is a good resource. Christians of any race will appreciate Wytsma's laying out the issues of race and the thoughts and resources he provides. But I can't buy his presumption of white guilt and pass he gives to leftist racial political movements. Take his positions with a grain of salt.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

This book is timely, bold, and necessary. Ken Wytsma has produced a helpful resource for thinking about race--its history, origins, and challenges--speaking a prophetic word to evangelical Christianity, which all too often eschews difficult conversations about the legacy of racial injustice in the United States and the present demands of justice. Rather than be subjugated by fear, Christians should embrace the radical love revealed to us in Jesus Christ, who came not only to redeem sinners but to empower his church for holiness, that they might work toward the flourishing and prosperity of all humanity, whatever their tribe, tongue, or nation. Wytsma helps point the way.

To be good at justice means we realize we are both a part of the solution and part of the problem. Our actions complicate as well as fix the problems we see, which means a whole lot of brokenness in this world results either from us or from systems we are complicit in or benefit from. There is much to be owned and repented of.

A book for it's time. As a Christian, we must see racism as a gospel issue. To deny racism is to deny the gospel. To put a we vs them is to deny the gospel. To say things are much better than the slave days, is to deny the gospel. Do you see a pattern? What are you doing about racism? It is challenging because we have to have empathy for our brothers and sisters where we have no experience of White supremacy.

In reading this text, you will get a history lesson that has some hard truths. It does not deny the sins of the West. It does not deny the sins of the church. It embraces it and displays the gospel.

Fighting racism is a call to better understand our own humanity and experience diversity. Is there diversity where you work? In your place of worship? In your community? It is diversity where all is represented and unity will grow. Where Martin Luther King's own words will be a reality. Racism is about being comfortable with others that are like us. To fight racism, we must get uncomfortable and have community with those that are different.

Ken Wystma is passionate about racism of all kinds and you hear his heart among these pages but he is also passionate about the authority of the word. A read that is humbling and spoken with humility. Highly Recommend.

A Special Thank You to InterVarsity Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

So. Is privilege in the United States real, or is it something that people imagine, for any number of reasons? Author Ken Wytsma takes a look at this issue in The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege.

In my book reviews, I normally don’t make a big point of the author’s race or gender. Nevertheless, I’ll note that this book, which is directed toward a Christian audience, was written by a white man. And, yes, a lot of people—especially white people—should read it. It’s important to bear in mind that the fight for racial equality in the U.S. isn’t something any one race should be fighting for alone.

I’ll also note that this book isn’t out to just broadcast grievances, to shame the country, and to make people feel guilty. No, this is about seeing the historical roots of a very real problem, as you can’t truly remedy anything without getting to the bottom of it. The author also includes action points, so readers won’t be left with this problem without any idea what to do next.

The book has so many compelling points, like the need not to merely do acts of justice, but to *become just.* Or the idea that people might think they’re following the golden rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) when really they’re following the silver rule (“DON'T do to others what you wouldn’t have them do to you.”) The silver rule is passive. The golden rule requires action.

I highly recommend this book for the Christian community. If you think racial issues are “just politics” or not something that Christians should be too concerned about, I’d encourage you all the more to read this.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

A great overview for Christians for those new to the topic of racism in the church. However, I feel like Drew Hart's "Trouble I've Seen" may be even stronger and more personal. Wytsma talks about elevating others into leadership and stepping aside to allow Christian leaders of color to have a more prominent voice, which does have me wondering why he didn't attempt to co-author in some way...

A reasonable but thorough examination by an Evangelical into the challenges of racial inequality in America.

The author, who is white, starts off with his own story and the "normal" (read: white) American experience. He then speaks to the history of racism and oppression in America, including slavery, the post-Reconstruction South, and even regarding redlining and other such forms of discrimination whose effects remain to this day.

He then turns to Christianity and speaks regarding the comfort of privilege, whether racial/social justice has any standing in terms of the Gospel message, and the theological challenges posed by escapist salvation and individualism in American Christianity.

From there he discusses how difficult it can be to recognize one's privilege and what to do about it: how racism went from something evident and obvious to implicit and subliminal, a defense of elements of liberation theology, and being willing to give space to others, to hear and get to understand their position without defensiveness, and proving willing to work toward real and substantive equality.

I doubt this will be a comfortable book for much of Evangelicalism and Christians who would align on the conservative side of the spectrum religiously and/or politically, but it would be an important work to consider.