“You don’t have to do it all, of course. But you can identify racial wrongs in the world around you and take one step toward making them right. That’s the work of reparation. That’s the work of the gospel.”

I have been slowly working my way through this book with my mentor (who in full discretion is also a white woman). It has led to many lengthy discussions in a number of restaurants as we have really pondered the questions in this book and considered experiences and feelings that are not our own. The biggest thing I have learned from this book is that I cannot fix the whole broken system, but I can ask Jesus to help fix me, and I can be a voice of truth when I experience brokenness around me.

Be the Bridge is a tough book to read as the author pours her heart out - I have and will continue to recommend this to anyone who wants to read about racial reconciliation. It is a great debut and I can't wait to see what God will do through this work.

I heard about Latasha from Jennie Allen's podcast, and I was delighted to get the chance to read and review this book. Latasha has some excellent points, with lots of encouragement and Truth throughout. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

In her debut book, LaTasha Morrison seamlessly weaves together history, her personal story, and Scripture. It's honest, to the point, and one of the few titles of which I can truly say "everyone needs to read this."

Read this book and be encouraged. Read this book and be challenged. Read this book and be the bridge. Five stars.

There were a few times in this book that it felt like the tie in with the Bible verses was almost an after thought, like "oh this is a Christian book, better put in some Biblical verses for racial reconciliation" and that bothered me a bit. Overall, I do think it is a great book and an important book.

We truly need more books about race relations in the church, and this book is such an amazing start. I'm glad there are people that are willing to admit there is such a thing as white privilege and are actively looking at ways to even the bar. This was such an amazing book, and I enjoyed every bit of reading it.

“The truth is that each ethnicity reflects a unique aspect of God’s image. No one tribe or group of people can adequately display the fullness of God.“ - From Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Latasha Morrison, in her book Be The Book, shares her journey with racism highlighting key steps she’s taken to find forgiveness and reconciliation. She reflects back on the trauma, discusses the present struggles and then tackles how we can work together going forward, in unity, all from Biblical perspective.

“In fact, Paul emphasized that unity can be found in diversity. We all have been given different gifts; we all are different parts of the same body. In the love of the family of God, we must become color brave, color caring, color honoring, and not color blind. We have to recognize the image of God in one another. We have to love despite, and even because of, our differences.” - From Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

The book is broken into three parts and ten chapters. Part one, The Bridge to Lament, tackles the history of racism particularly focusing on America. Through the stories of those who lived through the slave trade, Latasha corrects perspectives on what happened, invites the reader to empathize with the suffering and then calls on us all to lament. To mourn, as fellow humans, the pain we inflicted on one another, asking God for His forgiveness. The stories are heartbreaking and hard to read, that such atrocities were a part of life is chilling. Latasha doesn’t try and beat the reader with it but carefully illustrate a point. Using the Biblical stories to show how to lament on behalf of a community, of a people, she offers a way to grieve the past to bring healing whilst admitting the truth of what happened.

“Bridge builders don’t deny hurt. They experience it. Sit in it. Feel it. But they don’t stay in that pain. They don’t allow those who’ve wounded them to control them or constantly drive them back to anger and resentment. Instead, they allow that pain to continually push them into forgiveness.” - From Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Part two, The Bridge to Confession and Forgiveness, discusses what roadblocks stop reconciliation, namely shame and guilt. The healing process is complex enough when it’s in the present day but working through pain inflicted over centuries, indoctrinated into culture and used by those involved to continue the division of people feels overwhelming and bewildering. By giving voice to the struggles of all the sides of the problem, Latasha shines light, hope and understanding. Drawing on her own experiences, the discussions held in her Be The Bridge sessions, and the Bible, she walks the reader through how to work through these emotions to allow healing to begin. She continues onto forgiveness, how to receive it and give it.

Part three, The Bridge to Restorative Restoration, encourages the reader to action, to repentance, making amends and reconciliation. The suggestions made are practical, small and not intimidating. Latasha shares the positive changes she’s seeing and instills hope in what can be acheived.

“But you can identify racial wrongs in the world around you and take one step toward making them right.” - From Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

It is not an easy read, but in picking up Be The Bridge, I didn’t expect it would be. Racism is so harmful, so dark, so divisive, my temptation is to hide from it and focus on the good in the world. Latasha’s book reminded me why that isn’t how we bring the light into the world, it isn’t how we make things better.

“If this book serves to highlight just one truth, I hope it’s that real beauty can come from the ashes of our country’s history with racism.” - From Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Working through conflict, pursuing healing and truth, giving space to the stories of hurt and empathetically dealing with one another is part of the Christian life and Be The Bridge helped equip me to do this better, Jesus is referenced frequently to highlight how to live this out. I highly recommend it and it’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale.

“Jesus can make beauty from ashes, but the family of God must first see and acknowledge the ashes.”(from uncorrected proof)

This book is another vital addition to the canon of Christian literature encouraging and admonishing the church to follow Christ into racial reconciliation and restorative relationships. Highly recommend.

Be the Bridge
Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation

by Latasha Morrison

WaterBrook & Multnomah

WaterBrook

Christian , Multicultural Interest

Pub Date 15 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Be the Bridge through WaterBrook & Multnomah and Netgalley:

Latasha Morrison points out in Be the Bridge that when racial tensions are so high both outside the church and within it, it is important that we as Christians become the leaders in Reconciliation.

Be the Bridge is a power packed guide that helps readers deepen their understanding of historical factors and present realities, that help to equip them to participate in the ongoing dialogue and to serve as catalysts for righteousness, justice, healing, transformation, and reconciliation.

I give Be the Bridge five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

“Be the Bridge” by Latasha Morrison is a combination history and self-help book.

“Be the Bridge” is also the name of her organization, and the key to her vision of how to improve relationships between Blacks and Whites and other nationalities.

The history she outlines in the book is Black history in the U.S. She points out the issues with White culture and attitudes toward Blacks.

The self-help part of the book is learning about each other so we can have better relationships.

The author suggests education through books or movies to better understand Black history in the U.S. Then the next step is small discussion groups to share experiences and feelings to improve our attitudes about each other, so we can be friends. She points out that churches or schools would be a good place to start these groups.

Latasha is very honest about what she sees as problems, and how to change that dynamic. It was enlightening to read her point of view. I appreciated learning about the attitudes she sees as a Black woman. I liked reading about her personal thoughts and attitudes to compare it to my perceptions.

Although the discussion groups sound interesting, she did not give much information to actually start a group. If you are interested in joining a group —

–>check out the information at her Be the Bridge website.

The author does include Scripture references and prayers that can help us improve relationships between Blacks and Whites, and give us the right attitude toward each other.

This book is not radical. It is very middle-class normal. The book can be useful for any age 16 and up, men or women, church goers or not, and any political affiliation.

–->Go to your favorite bookstore to get a copy!

"Be The Bridge Pursing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation" by Latasha Morrison is an important book for our world. We live in a world within and outside the church with racial divisions. I commend Latasha for starting the nonprofit organization that addresses the racial divisions in our church and world. Latasha speaks all over the US to address the need for reconciliation. Be The Bridge involves small groups that address racial reconciliation by using this book and developing discussions within the group. It is important that we move from racial divisions to racial reconciliation. Will you be the bridge to our world? This book was given to me by the publisher and netgalley to read and review. I am thankful for the opportunity to read and review this book. I am sending my review to Amazon, Goodreads, facebook, my blog, CBD.com . I hope the book is successful.

A very practical and helpful guide for people interested in becoming more involved in racial reconciliation. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of becoming a bridge builder, sharing Latasha's personal experiences as well as the history of discrimination and abuse in the U.S. The end of each chapter had questions to make the material more personal and spur the reader to action as well as a prayer relevant to the chapter's content.

I have never in my life understood the racial divide in our country. I was always asking questions about why there was clearly a spot of town where black people lived. It was on the other side of the tracks, down where the river floods. The houses were different from the houses on our side of the tracks. I would hear people say words and be worried about how it might look to mix races in any way. There has always been a part of me that wanted to fix this. That is why I was drawn to read this book. I want everyone to feel fully human.

I will admit, some of this was hard to read. I cannot wrap my head around torture and murder. I most definitely cannot understand it when it is done with the blessing of the church. It has made me sick to read these stories recounted. It goes beyond ignorance. How on earth is there so much willful hate inside of us and how do we get it out of the collective us.

Repentance.

Latasha has done an amazing job breaking down and explaining things that we might not understand. She lays it on the line. Family does not leave family in bondage. If there are things that cause divide in the body of Christ, we in the body should labor to fix them. We do not have to personally have done them to repent and pray for healing. We can get to know one person. We can ask questions and we can be the bridge to healing. Going through this book with a few people would be an excellent way to begin learning. There were several things that I was not aware of that people find hurtful or offensive. There are ways that we can advocate for others. There are prayers we can pray and actions we can take. This is a great place to begin being educated and take the first step toward healing the great racial divide in our nation and world.

Be the Bridge is an absolutely necessary book for the Christian church at this point in its history. Unless congregations come together to address the issue of systemic racism, nothing will change. And this work is both gentle and pointed in how it calls the church to a higher place, not shying away from difficult things but presenting both problems and solutions in accessible ways for those willing to listen. Highly recommended.

Latasha Morrison is a gift to our world. I was first introduced to her through If:Gathering and I eagerly awaited this book once I knew she was putting her ideas into writing. Be the Bridge is a helpful resource to navigate racial reconciliation in our churches and in our neighborhoods. Grateful for her voice!

This book brings you to worship God, the great reconciler. It is beautifully structured in ten chapters each ending in a prayer relevant to the chapter and these ten chapters are divided into three parts, which end a liturgy. The prayers and liturgies are express truths that lead to an emotional response and a call to action.

Eight stages, (please forgive me if I forgot, conflated, or added one), are presented:

1) acknowledging racial injustice
2) lamenting racial injustice
3) freeing ourselves from the shame and guilt associated with it
4) confessing your own part in the injustices
5) extending forgiveness
6) repenting
7) making the wrongs right, and
8) seeking restorative reconciliation.

I have read many books on racial injustice, all being very informative, but lacking in how Christians should be go about being active "bridge builders". This book informs as well as laying the foundations for action, having gone to Seminary myself, I found it theologically sound in presentation.

The narratives spread throughout are illuminating, and Latasha Morrison writes with, humility, confession, and in a way that emerses you into the act of bridge building. She acknowledges that in community her efforts where enhanced as where the efforts of others. To often in the United States we are driven by rugged individualism at the expense of community, this book brings us back to a communal resonse to individual and systemic sin.

I loved reading this book and highly recommend it be read and acted upon, as faith without works is dead. My thanks to Latesha and to all who have supported and worked with her as you are demonstrating the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. When it is officially published I will be purchasing several copies to distribute to friends and family.

4.5 stars

Today, civil discourse on difficult topics is usually anything but civil. Shares, re-tweets, and bombastic pronouncements are valued more than empathy and listening to understand. Writers like Latasha Morrison challenge us to set aside our egos, and build authentic relationships and understanding with those deemed to be "the other."

Morrison is the founder of Be the Bridge, a group whose mission is to inspire Christians and Christian churches to "have a distinctive and transformative response to racial division." This book highlights how Morrison came to this work; explores issues of systematic discrimination, biases, and racism; and provides a blueprint for whites and people of color to work together for reconciliation -- all through a Christian perspective.

This year, I've devoted particular attention to reading about racial inequality and "Be the Bridge" is the most honest and helpful book I've read on the topic. Morrison doesn't point fingers or assign blame to people today for decisions made centuries ago. That said, she lays bare the way U.S. policies have systematically disenfranchised people of color, either intentionally or unintentionally. Morrison challenges all of her readers to reflect on our shared history, our own personal biases (including unconscious biases), and how we can each work to eliminate the racial division that plagues our country.

Morrison's words aren't always easy to hear. She does not let the reader walk about without examining ways in which their complicity and biases have contributed to inequalities and racial strife. However, her challenges and examples are heart-felt and addressed to everyone. She's not interested in blaming or shaming. She's interested in dismantling inequities and building understanding and empathy.

Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very timely book that will appeal to Christian churchgoers concerned with Sunday-morning segregation and the worsening racial discourse in America. It contains beautiful, powerful liturgies and prayers designed to elicit a strong call to action. Highly recommended reading for American Christians, especially those who find themselves surrounded by people the same color as them on Sunday mornings.

Racial reconciliation is a topic that's not easy, nor could you cover everything necessary in one book. However, I did find "Be The Bridge" to be a book that can begin to turn the tide towards a hopeful understanding. LaTasha Morrison is the founder of "Be The Bridge," a group that encourages people of all races and cultures to come together to work towards reconciliation.

Morrison begins the book with history that many have never heard in school. She discusses not only white and black issues but also the colorism that affects the black community internally. Each chapter has a specific focus, which I found helpful. There are three main parts to the book: Part 1- The Bridge to Lament, Part 2- The Bridge to Confession and Forgiveness and Part 3-The Bridge to Restorative Reconciliation.

This is not a book to read quickly, as there are many things to ruminate on, pray over and learn from. I think this book would be best used in conjunction with a Be The Bridge group, but it could also be useful for individuals to learn from on their own, as well, as some areas may not have the availability to participate in a group (yet). This is hard work, so do not be afraid, but prepare your heart to receive the message within.

Here are a few quotes from the book that I highlighted:

"When we lack historical understanding, we lose part of our identity. We don't know where we came from and don't know what there is to celebrate or lament. Likewise, without knowing our history, it can be difficult to know what needs repairing, what needs reconciling."

"If we come together in the posture of humility, we can start to bridge the racial divide. A bridge that lifts up the marginalized voices. A bridge of voices that is about equity of marginalized voices, not equality."

"The truth is that each ethnicity reflects a unique aspect of God's image. No one tribe or group of people can adequately display the fullness of God. The truth is that it takes every tribe, tongue and nation to reflect the image of God in his fullness."

If you're willing to do the work and take to heart this book that encourages change, courage and understanding, "Be The Bridge" is for you. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read early. All opinions are my own.

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison is a must read. This book is challenging in the best way. LaTasha gently guides you through how to a be a bridge builder and the process she has taken with a group in Texas. As a white female churchgoer, this book was eye opening. This book was heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time. I would encourage anyone interested in the process of racial reconciliation to read this book. I also encourage anyone that serves within the church context to read this. It is a great resource for you to start the process of bridge building in your own church.

I was blessed to receive an electronic copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.