Book Review: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation By Latasha Morrison

I realize that racial equality and black lives and all lives are very hot-button topics. I must begin though by saying that I am a white woman. White. As such, I have had to recognize that, even though I have experienced gender bias, I have not had the same experience that Black men and women have. Experiencing bias does not mean that I understand other’s struggles.

I appreciate Latasha Morrison’s approach to racial bridge building. This book embraces the fact that all of us experience race and then looks at what that experience is and means to each of us. She encourages mixed groups to come together and share experiences so we may understand each other better and come to reconcile our understandings:

The men who grew up less than a mile from each other, each being told that the other neighborhood was dangerous to enter, find that they can bridge the neighborhoods and had shared in the experience as youngsters afraid of their neighbor.

The woman who was burdened with family involvement in deep south discrimination coming to terms with the pain caused by her loved ones and the view they taught her growing up.

Morrison does not rant. She does not point fingers. She includes all of us in this image of racial understanding and reconciliation. She does not call on the nation to do something, but on the individual to do something.

The author begins by discussing lament, confession and forgiveness, then restorative reconciliation. Having recently read Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, I was more ready to hear of lament and public or communal acceptance of wrongs, in the past and carried into today. These wrongs were committed by us collectively and do continue today, collectively. Lament can help us understand our part in that collective.

Individual examples and the stories of healing throughout the book kept it relatable. The liturgy and end of chapter questions encourage sharing our understanding and learning. The options that Morrison presents in reconciliation are more than reasonable, they are well-embraced.

Be the Bridge gave the statistic of 92.5 percent of US churches being racially segregated. How can we say that we are ‘beautifully and wonderfully made’ and yet not embrace all of his creation? How can we ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,’ (Romans 12:15) when we don’t hear the cries because we have isolated ourselves?

We, Americans, have made egregious mistakes and it is time to start correcting them. It is time to heal, to hear, to reconcile and yes, to restore relationships. The church is uniquely positioned to do this. Will we? The church means you and it means me, not an institution. Will you? Will I?

If you would like a gentle yet honest and challenging introduction to the race question, this book is a good one. Personal, balanced, and relatable, Be the Bridge opened my eyes to what needs to be done and how I can make a difference.

For more information see Be the Bridge. Quote from page 154.