6 Books About The Black Experience With A Connection To Faith
Reading books about African Americans during the month of February, and not only, has become an essential practice for promoting empathy, understanding and appreciation for what Blacks have contributed to American society.
This is not just true of political, cultural and entertainment figures, but also ones that were central to faith.
It was the Black Church that played a vital role in abolition and in later decades the Civil Rights Movement. It was during that time that many Blacks also converted to Islam, another way to combat discrimination.
READ: ‘Underground’ Ballet Promotes Equality And Justice With A Dose Of Faith
Here are six books that infused faith in the struggle to end discrimination:
“The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois (1903)
This work by W.E.B. Du Bois, originally published in 1903 with several editions reprinted over the next 100 years, is a cornerstone of African-American literature and sociological thought. Du Bois explored what it was like to be African American and Christian in a society marked by racism. In the book, he delves into the complexities of identity, religion and social justice — offering profound insights into the experiences of African Americans within the Christian context.
“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X with Alex Haley (1987)
Malcolm X’s autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley and published in 1965, is a testament to his journey from a troubled youth to becoming one of the most influential figures during the Civil Rights Movement. Central to his narrative is his conversion to Islam and his subsequent leadership within the Nation of Islam. Through his experiences, Malcolm X reflects on the intersection of race, religion and activism in America during that time.
“Strength to Love: Gift Edition” by Martin Luther King Jr. (2010)
Comprised of a collection of sermons by Martin Luther King Jr.,, “Strength to Love” offers up a series of profound reflections that combine faith and the struggle for justice. In fact, MLK drew on Christian teachings (and his experiences as a Civil Rights leader) to address themes of nonviolence and the moral imperative to fight against oppression.
“The Cross and the Lynching Tree” by James H. Cone (2013)
In this provocative tome, theologian James H. Cone examines the symbolic connections between the cross of Jesus Christ and the lynching tree as central in African-American religious and cultural history. Cone also explores how African-American Christians found meaning and hope in the midst of suffering and oppression through faith over the centuries.
“The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism” by Jemar Tisby (2020)
In this book, Jemar Tisby provides a comprehensive examination of the role of the American church, including African-American Christians, in perpetuating racial inequality throughout history. Tisby traces the roots of racism within the church — from slavery to the present — and challenges Christians to address discrimination within their own faith communities.
“Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood” by Michael R Heinlein (2021)
The first book to explore the lives of the six Black Catholics from the United States (whose causes are under formal consideration by the Vatican for canonization) and how their lives were a model of holiness for all Christians. These men and women lived their faith in their fight against the evils of racism.
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged. He previously served as deputy head of news at the New York Daily News and a longtime reporter at The New York Post. Follow him on X @ClementeLisi.