Deconstructing Racism

“If ever there was a timely book that illumines racism, the role of religion legitimizing it, and how to undo its dehumanizing power, this is the book. Its pages brim with insights: “Europeans saw themselves as the only group that had achieved real ‘humanness, which led our European Founders to design our nation pretty much only for the (truly) human ones,’ which logically excluded women and African slaves, and to a large extent poor, propertyless citizens. (To this very day we do not have a Supreme Court that in its interpretation of the Constitution, recognizes and boldly confronts racism in our criminal justice system.) “The attitude of White European superiority / Black inferiority entrenched itself deeply into American Christian identity (‘We are a White Christian nation’) which led Christian pastors and their congregants to view slavery and then segregation as ‘natural’ and ‘God’s will.’ Although there was, from the beginning, Black resistance to oppression, it was not until Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement that significant societal reform began to happen. And need I say, the struggle goes on. “There’s a whole lot to explore in this amazing book. It may well change your life. I hope it sets you on fire to pitch your energies into the struggle.”

Sister Helen Prejean

“Deconstructing Racism offers a road map to disrupt the cycle of racism by upending the roots of racism embedded in America’s institutions. Daring and bodacious, the book presents a parallel analysis of the American church as an institution embedded in racism and resistance. It unveils the defiant roots of racism and how past periods of resistance end with the manifestation of new forms of racism. The authors then skillfully present a path for institutions to deconstruct current structures in order to reconstruct a more equitable society.”

Tammi Fleming

“This extraordinary work offers brilliant analysis, long-awaited solutions, and practical hands-on tools to fight racism. The authors give the readers a pinpointed, clear understanding of racism written by two seasoned practitioners. Joe and Barbara ensure you cannot put this book down as they fill the pages with their decades of wisdom, experience, and skill in an easy-to-understand format.”

Willard Ashley

“In Deconstructing Racism Joe Barndt and Barbara Major focus on racism in the church, but also in every system in the United States. No matter what systems we are a part of or interact with in this country, we face the same structural realities. We are all the products of the same history. It is a history most of us are not taught and do not know. This is a book powerfully written and a story profoundly told. The authors have between them a lifetime of practical application that makes real what they teach. Read this book, whether you are a part of the church or not. You won’t regret it.”

David Billings

“My training as a sociologist led me to focus on the role of race and racism in our society. After years of reading and researching, I became involved with two organizations which for decades participated in organizing and training against racism. During the 1980s I became involved with Crossroads as a trainer and a member of its board. Rev. Joseph Barndt was the leader of this national organization and focused his work on helping Christian denominations, particularly the Lutheran church, to become active participants in challenging racism in the church and in society. During the same period, I also met leaders of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, a community anti-racist organization from New Orleans, Louisiana. These two allied organizations influenced each other in ways that strengthened their perspective and their work in anti-racism. I was privileged to meet Barbara Crain Major in many anti-racism training events where Rev. Joe Barndt and Barbara participated. As a sociologist and as an academic, I had a good theoretical understanding of racism as a systemic force in the United States, but my exposure to Joe and Barbara strengthened my understanding of the necessity of organizing to dismantle racism within our society’s institutions. Moving from a purely academic perspective, I was transformed by my exposure to these trainers and organizers, and I also became an anti-racist trainer. I collaborated with colleagues in the church and later in higher education. I have read numerous books and essays on racism, but this coauthored book provides a grounded understanding on how to dismantle racism within institutions and develops concepts and paths to build a path toward an anti-racist society. After decades of work and organization, this book united two of the most gifted and consistent national experts in how to build a path toward a third reconstruction, one that will lead our society to a more just, equitable experience for all. The alchemy that comes from the joint organizing and theoretical work of Barbara and Joe will provide people of faith and those who long for a just society the steps and the path to the deconstruction of racism and the construction of an anti-racist society for future generations.”

Victor M. Rodriguez