The Justice Briefing with Dr. Jemar Tisby

Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021. While many African Americans have celebrated the holiday for decades, many other people know little about it. In this teach-in Dr. Jemar Tisby--a historian, professor, and bestselling author--talks about the history of Juneteenth and describes its importance in the life of the nation. In this video you will learn about: --The announcement on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, TX --The Junteenth flag and its symbolism --Why we should celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday --And more! You can get more content like this at: JemarTisby.Substack.com Order Dr. Tisby's latest book: The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance

Dr. Jemar interviews Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter-McNeil about her latest book "Empowered to Repair: Becoming People Who Mend Broken Systems and Heal Our Communities." Dr. Brenda is a professor of Reconciliation Studies, a program she founded, at Seattle Pacific University. She is also a pastor and has been doing racial reconciliation work for decades. We talk about her journey from Trenton, NJ to Seattle, WA, the importance of self-care in justice work, and how to move beyond the theory and get practical in doing racial reconciliation. Get her book HERE. Remember to pre-order my next book "The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance" HERE. Hosting Platform: RedCircle

In my second book, How to Fight Racism, I wrote a section called "Create a Pipeline of Mental Health Therapists of Color." In it I suggested that "you or your church could contribute to scholarship funds for people of color interested in getting trained in mental health and therapy." Well, a group actually did this and formed the Black Mental Health Counselors Reparations Foundation. I spoke to the three founders: Drs. Dr. Layla Bonner, DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, and Danny Bryant. They explain the extensive and EXPENSIVE process of training to become a professional counselor. They also talk about their organization and how they are raising $1 million to completely pay for the education and credentialing of Black mental health professionals. Contribute to their cause. Visit: bmhcr.orgRemember to pre-order my next book! The Spirit of Justice Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance

There is a movement of people who grew up in evangelical Christianity out of those circles. These are ex-evangelicals or "exvangelicals."  Now Sarah McCammon, a politics reporter for NPR, has given us the first book-length treatment of this movement and the individuals within it.  In this interview we talk about her very evangelical upbringing (and wax nostalgic about growing up in the 90s along the way). She tells us her thoughts about what's leading to this disillusionment with evangelicalism. We talk about how race affects people differently within and outside evangelicalism. And she tells us what it's like to be a journalist in these politically tenuous times.  Order "The Exvangelicals" here.  Buy my books: JemarTisby.com/Books  Subscribe to my Substack: JemarTisby.Substack.com  Get your merch: JusticeTakesSides.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I have often said, "White Christian nationalism is the greatest threat to democracy and the witness of the church in the United States today." Now there's a documentary showing and telling why this is true.  I talk to Dan Partland, the director of "God & Country" a feature-length documentary film that "takes a closer look at the dangerous implications and explores how a base of Christians has radically stoked a movement erasing the line between Church and State."  Partland explains how he approached the delicate tension of truth-telling while still engaging a potentially skeptical audience. He describes how film can be a uniquely effective medium for opening people to dialogue. And we explore the controversy that has already surrounded the film.  See the "God & Country" trailer here.  By my books: JemarTisby.com/Books  Subscribe to my Substack: JemarTisby.Substack.com  Get your merch: JusticeTakesSides.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wear is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics. It's a book that takes a fresh approach to how faith and politics should interact. Instead of beginning with policies, pundits, or politicians, Wear encourages us to begin with our own spiritual formation.  We talk about everything from our similar conversion stories in evangelical contexts to how to engage people with radically different political persuasions.  Order The Spirit of Our Politics HERE.  Be sure to subscribe to my Substack: JemarTisby.Substack.com  Get your merch here: JusticeTakesSides.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finally, finally, finally you can pre-order my latest book The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance! This is a book for all those who are weary and heavy-laden. It encourages you by telling the true stories of people who found reservoirs of strength—what I call the spirit of justice—to resist oppression and keep on keeping on. If you pre-order the book you get several bonuses. You get exclusive access to the first chapter of the book. You get access to my keynote message from “The Color of Compromise 5-Year Anniversary Event” where I give a talk titled: Three Characteristics of Historical Truth-Seekers. Finally, you get 30% off when you order from ChristianBook.com or the guaranteed lowest price when you order from Amazon. Plus, pre-orders help put the book on the radar for other bookstores so it can be distributed widely, and they are a huge part of helping a book get on bestseller lists. So tell everyone! Tell you local library, indie bookstore, church, seminary, college, and more to get copies of the book. Share this message on social media and with your friends. Pre-orders are now OPEN!!!  Remember to support historical truth-telling and racial justice: Subscribe to JemarTisby.Substack.com Get your racial justice merch! JusticeTakesSides.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I went to Northern Ireland as part of an endeavor hosted by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Telos Group. We were looking at justice and peacemaking in the context of worship. To that end we visited places such as Corrymeela, Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Clonard Monastery, and Stormont just to name a few. In this very special episode of Footnotes, I offer some of my reflections about the trip. The journey deeply impacted me, and I hope this is not my last trip to Northern Ireland! Read more HERE. Be sure to subscribe to JemarTisby.Substack.com And get your merch at JusticeTakesSides.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode I talk with first-time author Ronald Olivier whose life is a movie...or at least a book. He wrote "27 Summers: My Journey to Freedom, Forgiveness, and Redemption During My Time in Angola Prison." As a historian and racial justice advocate, I've made incarceration one of my primary areas of focus in terms of action and raising awareness. That's why I was honored and excited to talk to Ronald about his experiences in Angola Prison and what he has share with us now that he's on the other side. You'll fee like you could listen to Ronald tell stories all day. Especially because of his mellifluous Louisiana accent. You will also be inspired by the depth and richness of his faith. He's sincere when he says he lives by the motto: "Don't tell me what God can't do!" Support Ronald's Work: Get the Book: 27 Summers Follow Ronald on IG: @RonaldSlim75 Follow Ronald on FB: Ronald Olivier Support Jemar's Work Subscribe + Rate + Review the Footnotes podcast Subscribe to my Substack: JemarTisby.Substack.com  Get your merch: JusticeTakesSide.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Racism, white supremacy, and the attempt to control Black bodies didn't go away after the Civil War. As I often say, "Racism never goes away, it adapts." One of the ways racism persists is through our criminal legal system, especially the death penalty.  Joia Erin Thornton is the founder and executive director of the faith leaders of color coalition (flocc). Through her organization she works toward eliminating capital punishment in the carceral system. She talks about her journey into this work and why faith leaders need to be involved.  Episode Highlights:  How growing up in the South (Memphis and New Orleans) influenced her ideas of justice How her parents taught her mother predicted Joia would grow up to be a "changemaker"  Why ending the death penalty is a bipartisan political issue The role of hope in justice work and ending the death penalty  Visit the flocc website ------ Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast.  Get your "Justice Takes Sides" merch: justicetakessides.com  Keep up with my latest work at JemarTisby.Substack.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices