Blog Archives
Making It Plain: Deconstructing a Fictitious and Vicious Story About Racism
Ronald S. Bonner’s Making It Plain is a faith-rooted examination of racism that brings together history, theology, social science, personal experience, and practical reflection. Bonner establishes his vocabulary early and uses it consistently: White supremacy is the belief in the innate superiority of White people, racism is the system of power that sustains that belief, and bigotry is the hate-filled prejudice that fuels the system. From there, his central argument is that racial hierarchy is a constructed story that became embedded in American institutions, culture, education, and everyday assumptions. Because it was constructed and learned, he believes it can also be dismantled and unlearned. The Christian framework isn’t simply decorative. Bonner repeatedly returns to love, the renewal of the mind, truth-telling, and the moral obligation to reject ideas of human superiority. His larger purpose is practical: he wants readers to understand how these ideas took hold and then become capable of having more honest conversations about race.
The book’s seventeen chapters cover an unusually wide range of territory, moving from the historical construction of race and the economics of enslavement to White privilege, equality and equity, trust, colorblindness, stigmatized language, reparations, racial trauma, conversations between Black parents and their children, bias in artificial intelligence, friendship, and strategies for changing entrenched beliefs. Bonner has a teacher’s instinct for analogy. Highways illustrate the difference between racism, bigotry, and White supremacy; poker hands become a way of explaining unequal starting conditions; a sunburn illustrates the lingering effects of historical injury; “black light vision” describes the ability to see racial patterns that others may miss; and later, “heretical friendships” describe relationships formed across familiar racial and cultural boundaries. The personal stories are especially useful because they move the discussion out of abstraction. His memories of interracial workplace conversations, encounters with police, church life, and conversations with White friends show what his ideas look like in ordinary relationships. The historical photograph and caption documenting the 1892 lynching of four Black men on page 109 also reveal the book’s documentary impulse. Bonner wants readers to encounter the human reality behind the concepts, not just their definitions.
Bonner’s method is cumulative and deliberately repetitive. He keeps returning to a small group of ideas such as bigotry, power, false narratives, trust, language, and learned behavior, examining them from different angles until they form a connected framework. That gives Making It Plain the feel of an extended seminar or church study led by someone who expects the reader to participate. Nearly every chapter closes with review questions, and the writing regularly shifts from historical material to scholarly citations, personal memories, scriptural reflection, contemporary examples, and direct questions to the reader. The strongest passages come when those elements reinforce one another, particularly in the chapters on building trust, reparations as more than financial compensation, “the talk,” and cross-cultural friendship. By the final chapters, the many strands converge around one of Bonner’s clearest convictions: racist narratives can be unlearned, and relationships that cross racial, religious, or ethnic boundaries can play a meaningful role in that process. His voice throughout is pastoral, insistent, personal, and frequently provocative, with the expectation that learning should lead to changed behavior.
I recommend Making It Plain to people who want to explore racial justice through a combination of Christian ethics, American history, personal testimony, and guided discussion. Church groups, adult education classes, community organizations, workplace discussion groups, antiracism facilitators, and book clubs would probably get the most from its structure because the book is designed to generate conversation, not just private reflection. It would also appeal to readers interested in the intersection of faith and racial reconciliation, especially those willing to examine how inherited stories and everyday language shape what people believe about one another. Bonner makes his intended use especially clear at the end, when he challenges readers to have three conversations about race in the coming year and to form three new friendships or acquaintances outside their usual social circle. That closing challenge captures the character of the whole book. Making It Plain is a teaching book about changing minds through historical understanding, honest speech, self-examination, trust, and relationships that make it harder to keep seeing other people through inherited stereotypes.
Pages: 198 | ISBN : 978-1662962165
The Denial of Reverse Racism in America
The Denial of Reverse Racism in America by Dr. Len Bergantino is an attempt to prove the theory that reverse racism exists and is a serious problem. From the start, the author makes his views clear on the subject, using anecdotal experiences throughout his life as a means to support his argument. He believes his experiences, which include his perspective on programs and organizations attempting to address racial inequality, substantiate his stance, though his argument to support this case comes from deeply held personal beliefs rather than using statistics and research to support the topic.
While this book may be a difficult read for many, it serves as an interesting glimpse into the mind of someone who feels strongly about this topic. Throughout the book, the author references his experiences from childhood, university, and his years working as a school counselor. He frequently uses capitalization to emphasize his points throughout the book, though the overall tone feels intensely emotional and abrupt.
I found the book interesting from a more critical perspective, and how the author eagerly argues the point for reverse racism by mentioning various anecdotal scenarios as proof for this case. While I found it compelling, I would have appreciated more hard evidence to support his views. While the author approaches the topic from a particular viewpoint, he manages to stay with the theme consistently.
The Denial of Reverse Racism in America by Dr. Len Bergantino serves as an intriguing look into the mind and thoughts of someone who strongly believes in the concept of reverse racism. I suggest reading the book, and the author’s explanations, as it’s like a case study into one individual’s views.
Pages: 88 | ASIN: 1648032680
Amygdala Blue
Amygdala Blue is an anthology of short stories and a collection of poetry that will captivate readers. This collection of writings is fascinating, covering religion, racism, and relationships. Every section of author Paul Lomax’s book has a variety of fascinating works for the reader to enjoy. In addition, his prose and poetry will leave readers feeling fulfilled or call on them to reflect on the status quo.
The creativity displayed by Paul Lomax is outstanding. In Amygdala Blue, the reader is taken through many emotions as each work inspires reflection and thought. The diversity in the topics keeps things from being monotonous and ties each piece together for the whole collection of socio-political themes.
The book is divided into three sections covering three critical subject matters in life; Religion, Racism, and Relationships. The author is blunt with the truth but has a graceful way of sharing his thoughts. This is especially displayed in poems, where he writes freely and with enthusiasm, but never forgets to highlight the poem’s theme. While reading this collection, readers will feel connected to the author. His way of describing characters, events, activities, and places gives you a clear mental picture of what he is writing about.
Apart from his explicit description, Paul Lomax is also skilled in how he demonstrates stylistic devices like symbolism, sarcasm, imagery, irony, and metaphors. The author is dedicated to his art and knows how to switch up text to keep the reader engrossed. One of the most notable elements in Amygdala Blue is Paul Lomax’s sense of humor. The author is hilarious and witty with his satire. The funny segments bring an aesthetic appeal to his writing.
Each section of the book had a chapter that got me reflecting on art and real life. The writings’ Symphony of Clouds,’ ‘Panther Lurking High Above the Hood,’ and ‘The Unborn Salt’ were among the most powerful, with the poem in ‘Panther Lurking High Above the Hood’ as my favorite.
The excellent diction, thrilling short stories, quotes, and amazing poem stand out in Paul Lomax’s work. In addition, I loved the stories’ brevity and the enlightening experience about social-political subjects.
Amygdala Blue is a thought-provoking collection of prose and poetry dealing with the socio-political themes of religion, racism, and relationships. Readers will experience the varying emotions that coincide with these topics through the eyes of the author.
Pages: 123 | ASIN : B0B2Q79XMJ
Trumping The Race Card
![Trumping the Race Card: A National Agenda, Moving Beyond Race and Racism by [Rodney S. Patterson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fIdElGwcL.jpg)
Racism has plagued the country for years. It always seems like it is the cast iron ball chained to our ankles preventing us from moving forward. When it seems like we have had enough of crime against people of color, something new emerges. From killings to wrongful incarceration to brutality against innocent people going about their daily life. Trumping the Race Card highlights the beginning of all this and the evolution of oppression through history. Rodney Patterson has cast a light on this sensitive topic to help people realize where they go wrong as well as what can be done about the systemic failures within our society. These are human failures and as such, they can be fixed.
One thing that stands out to me the most about this book is how Rodney Patterson’s passion is palpable throughout this though-provoking book. Someone said that racism is also a human rights issue and should be treated as such. Trumping the Race Card elaborates on this idea and colorizes it with insightful concepts. This is a deeply emotional and sensitive issue to write about especially at this crucial moment in our nations history where we are on the precipice of some potentially monumental changes to the way in which police officers serve our community. Prejudice is an issue that has crippled our communities since the nations founding. Rodney Patterson inspires progressive thought and spurs action. For me, this book did a fantastic job in helping me understand how much of prejudice is racism and vice versa.
Trumping the Race Card is well written and well-timed. I left this book feeling well informed and better prepared with strategies that can be utilized for action at any level of involvement in advancing human rights. This book is really for anyone whether they have experienced or been proximal to racism.
With a pragmatic approach and easily understandable language this book is easily the best civil rights book I’ve read this year. I believe this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. This country needs this book now more than ever.
Pages: 101 | ASIN: B07W4S684D
Escape From Kolyma
![Escape from Kolyma: Aborigin Is a Bear Region by [Litvin PhD, Chester]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iGty7PlPL.jpg?w=604&ssl=1)
Chester Litvin, PhD has woven together an Orwellian world of doctrine, dogma, and propaganda in his book, Escape from Kolyma: Aborigin is a Bear Region. Psychological warfare has run rampant in the form of super-viruses that attack the psyche. Citizens are forced to beg, steal, borrow, and worse just to get by. Concentration camps and dictatorship have come back into fashion, and the people of Aborigin are suffering. The super-viruses are turning good people bad, and stripping the people of their personalities. They are being brainwashed and turning on each other. Professor Kryvoruchko is aware of the widespread infection, and may be Aborigin’s and the world’s only hope.
Many parts of the book are reminiscent of Hitler’s Germany, complete with propaganda and concentration camps. The cultural rift present is also indicative of a Hitler-like state. Convince one man he is better than another and he will let you pick his pocket. Give him someone to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you. That’s a paraphrase of a Lyndon B. Johnson quote about racism, but it applies here. Readers will draw many similarities between the culture of Litvin’s Aborigin and racism and “otherism” still found present all over the world. This is a divide-and-conquer mentality that worked wonders for Hilter, and still works in politics and socially in other areas.
The book is scary to me in its realism. I don’t believe that these are things that could never happen. I think psychological warfare isn’t a half-step from where we are now. In America, in particular, racism is still alive and well. People still continue to look down on groups of people they see as “less thans.” In the book, groups of people are stripped of every possession and jailed. They are killed. This kind of hatred for others is contagious. This kind of infection continues to spread if it isn’t stopped. I’m afraid we are closer to this kind of thing happening than I’d like to admit.
A part of the book that particularly bothered me was the children emulating the adults that they watched. Apparently, the children were also infected. They, too, were brainwashed. They mimicked what they saw being done before them down to raping and killing others. The children became thugs. There seemed to be an entire loss of innocence. This may be disturbing for readers, but it’s important. Children become what they know. They imitate what they see. This serves as a reminder for people to be worthy of emulation.
I will say that the book is complex. This wasn’t an easy Sunday afternoon kind of read, and with its subject matter, it shouldn’t be. I found myself re-reading parts that I didn’t understand. It was not always easy for me to follow. It requires some time and thought to get through. With that being said, sentence structure, grammar, and spelling were pretty impeccable.
Litvin delves into some unpleasant scenarios for the sake of opening eyes it seems to me. He gives some reminders about how easily it is for us, as humans, to lose our humanity or to follow blindly as sheep. He keeps some underdogs in there for us to cling to as we grapple through the book. It’s not an easy read, but serves as an important reminder. As Churchill once said, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” This sentiment echos through these pages.
Pages: 432 | ASIN: B07N3SXLYV
American River: Confluence
![American River: Confluence: Book Three of the American River Trilogy by [O'Connor, Mallory M.]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51JNl-0ybxL.jpg?resize=293%2C456&ssl=1)
One type of story that captivates a large portion of readers is the story of humanity. The author, Mallory M. O’Connor, excels at capturing powerful moments of human interaction in her novel American River: Confluence. O’Connor’s work involves a host of social issues—sexuality, politics, race relations—all disguised in what seems to be a book about artists pursuing their passions.
This book follows three families of different cultures that manage to connect. They are all tied to the same area, and while the young adults have mostly wandered off to different regions of the U.S., this story is about them all finding a reason to come home to celebrate life, art, and diversity which gives the story a greater sense of symmetry. O’Connor filled this book with real-life problems such as racism, mental health issues, sickness, and political confrontations. Therefore, this book can be a guide for helping people navigate their way through similar tragedies in their own life.
The overall story arc is intricate and well thought out. It is a little unclear where the book is going at first and what the focal point will be, but there are exciting turns everywhere that keep the readers’ attention until the end. Several subplots play out to give the book a lot of depth. On the surface, it seems like the McPhalan family is working through their problems with the ultimate goal of setting up a musical festival on Mockingbird Valley Ranch, the family’s ancestral property. Underneath, O’Connor raises awareness of many social issues. These social issues are picked apart one by one to allow the reader to think through different perspectives regarding them. While set in the 1970’s, the problems the characters face are problems that are prevalent in our society today, potentially making this book a timeless classic.
If you did not read the previous books to get familiar with the intricacies of the story you would need to refer to the “Cast of Characters” page at the beginning. The book immerses readers from the start with drama and doesn’t let up until the end, so lacking thorough character introductions early in the story, even though its the last of the series, can detract from the impact of certain events. I highly suggest you read books one and two before confluence.
American society, as well as many others around the globe, could drastically benefit from reading this book. While many authors hide a political agenda in their work, it’s often obvious where they stand on controversial issues; O’Connor, on the other hand, hid her feelings on many of the topics, which requires distinct talent. Ultimately, she encourages discussion and introspection through the characters. If it weren’t for some minor language concerns, this book would be well suited in a high school reading curriculum to expose students to the complexity of the world they live in and the core of human nature.
Pages: 364 | ASIN: B07HL12C8T
Conservative Views 101 Plus
![Conservative Views 101 Plus by [Gall, Alex]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41OA9qKivRL.jpg?w=604&ssl=1)
Life is more difficult now than it was a few years ago. More and more people have to work multiple jobs just to stay above water. Utilities cost more than they used to and money is losing value. By the time one receives their salary, it’s already spent. With high trade deficits and national debts, people have much less purchasing power. What is happening now that was not happening before? How have we gotten to this point? What conversations do we need to have to change things? How can there be more employment opportunities? How can the citizens live to work as opposed to working to live?
Alex Gall has produced a well-written account of everything people should be saying but will not. The language used in the book is strong but not abrasive and drives the point home effectively and firmly. The authors passion and commitment to the subject matter is commendable and infectious. I consider myself to be an average citizen, I read the occasional hot headline. But this book made me look a little further, and a little deeper, and find something that was shocking and appealed to the citizen in me. This book is delivered from the point of view of a concerned citizen painting a picture, a person who is inviting others to a well thought out and open conversation.
I would appreciated more references of source material because, as stated previously, this book will leave you digging for more information and getting more involved in politics. Some statistics or studies to back up the subject matter would have been appreciated. This book is well researched and is laid out in an easy to follow manner in a compact and readily available format. At times I felt the content a bit dense, or maybe the topics overwhelming. I had to put the book down and think about what I just read. This book certainly causes one to reflect. But once you come out of your reflection, once you put the book down, you will come away with an overriding need to do something.
There are some sensitive topics covered but the author uses a neutral approach which is inviting. His approach to the subjects is completely ‘take it or leave it’. This is one of the best qualities of this book. The fact that the author lays out his position without dragging people with him. The intensity of the book and the truth in the subject matter will carry you effortlessly.
This book does a fantastic job of starting a serious and necessary conversation. This is necessary for anyone who wants to be an informed citizen.
Pages: 260 | ASIN: B079YP7LGM
Book of Matthew: House of Whispers
![Book of Matthew: House of Whispers by [DuBois, Catalina]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512Y5VFaJNL._SY346_.jpg?w=250&ssl=1)
Catalina DuBois’s Book of Matthew: Part I. House of Whispers is a tale of forbidden love that, at times, seems Shakespearian in its delivery. The story begins in rural Missouri in 1850, a tumultuous time in the United States. Slavery was still very much in practice at southern plantations. Along with the master/slave dynamic came secret, taboo romances between captive slaves and free, white plantation owners and their family members. Matthew, the plantation owner’s son and heir, and Sarah, a slave owned by Matthew’s father, are two star crossed lovers trying desperately to navigate through social stigma, away from the plantation-dominated south, and toward freedom.
Barely a few pages into the first chapter, Matthew’s lust for the slave girl, Sarah, is evident. This is shown through a very sexually explicit scene that turns out to be a dream. There are a few of those scenes like this scattered throughout the book. Over all, I didn’t feel they detracted from the book, but might be a little too graphic for some readers.
The book seems accurate in its depiction of slavery. Slaves are subjected to unwanted sexual advances, beatings, whippings, and, in some cases, death. Families are ripped apart. Mixed race children are born in slave quarters. Secrecy is rampant. Slaves aren’t legally recognized as people. They are merely property. They are bought and sold as simply stock on store shelves. They are forced into unwanted marriages. They are denied a proper education, and are often punished if they find a way to become literate. They have no rights. They have no choices. This is a grave, but important reminder of America’s past.
Thank goodness for the few characters besides Matthew and Sarah who seem to have some common sense about them. A handful of characters, even during that timeframe, believed in equality. They are reminded at a point that race didn’t matter at all in God’s eyes, even if men’s eyes had such skewed filters. They find help from some unlikely sources as they try to outrun those who would rather see them dead than together.
The book keeps interest piqued through all the obstacles that Matthew and Sarah overcome to try to be together. There are similar story lines that play along parallel to theirs. Other pairs of seemingly mismatched lovers run and hide and jump through hoops to be together as well. This story based on love is not without its hindrances. Villains walk amongst them in their treks toward love. Menacing characters sabotage, violate, abuse, and even murder their victims throughout the story. They still don’t give up on each other. Even in such dire circumstances, love finds a way to unite. Ultimately, love conquers all.
DuBois’s story reads easily and quickly. I didn’t want to put it down. I found myself cheering for the more righteous characters, and hating the more deviant of them. The plot flows nicely, and loose ends are tied up neatly by the end. I’d love to read a Part II and see where DuBois takes Matthew and Sarah’s journey.
Pages: 233 | ASIN: B076ZS21T6
