Dyson, an African American university professor and Baptist pastor, relates his experiences as a black man; he writes his story as a Sunday worship service, with chapters entitled "Call to Worship", "Hymns of Praise", Sermon", etc. He challenges white people to understand how their whiteness (a kind of entitlement) keeps them from seeing the prejudice faced by blacks. It is tough to read because it's painful - and convicting - to realize that black people are still treated as second class citizens in many places. One of the 6 sections in "Sermon" is entitled Coptopia and offers many instances in which blacks are mistreated by police solely because of their race. Author Dyson cites several of his own shocking experiences [and a dear friend of mine was similarly mistreated by a cop for the "crime" of driving while black]. "Benediction" offers many concrete ways whites can help "compensate" blacks for their pain. A final chapter, "Prelude to Service", laments the election of a white supremacist and urges all of us to hold on to hope. What struck me most about this book was the level of pain and anguish (and anger) Dyson expresses. This book was an eye-opener to me, and a good window through which to try to understand the black experience. Now, what am I going to do about it... Hopefully, help to heal, don't accept insulting rhetoric, be an encourager, and not just be complacent.
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