Official Review: Black & White by CL Holley
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Official Review: Black & White by CL Holley
C.L. Holley valiantly opens up a sensitive topic that has persisted in America and around the world for quite a long time — racial discrimination, especially between black and white people. Taking the plunge into American history, including the legacies of the Atlantic slave trade and the peonage system, I had the opportunity to increase my awareness of the roots of the current national dialogue. Will white supremacy ever come to an end, allowing for racial healing, unification, and social justice to arise? Maybe — if a majority of people take into consideration the book’s reflective points. Most of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, participate in systemic racism, a practice that overshadows our human potential of loving each other regardless of skin color.“What will it take for true peace and harmony among blacks and whites?”
Black & White: Healing Racial Divide touches on the unspoken topics of guilt and unforgiveness between these two races, creating a divide that impedes constructive conversations. Despite the sensitivity of the book’s subject, the author’s neutral content discusses the course of racism from both perspectives, black and white, without offending anyone. The author states that the ability to overcome racial bias would allow America to heal the hurtful past and move forward towards a united future. Minorities would no longer have to struggle to achieve social and economic equality, and racial diversity would further enrich America and its political power. The book provides viable solutions like communication, compassion for others, and understanding through mutual respect.
The historical untruths that the author mentions, such as racial misinformation that passes from generation to generation, spurred me on to further research about the Civil War. The references to past and current online articles about racism strengthen Holley’s viewpoint. One of my favorite points was his reference to older misleading Christian preaching based on metaphorical Biblical verses. These verses were used incorrectly to describe “white” and “black” as Caucasian and Aethiopian nations, thus condemning the black community to slavery. Christianity’s role in racism — both historical and current — was another major topic that sent me on a path of rumination.
The tactfully written book, complete with a cordial tone and the courage to delve into painful topics, made this an engaging read. Despite its main focus on American events — where the relics of the Jim Crow laws and Black Codes continue to affect access to education, housing, jobs, and health care by African Americans — all races should read this book. The useful steps provided can be the beginning of racial healing.
I recommend this eye-opening and thought-provoking book to everyone who aspires to a more just future. Church leaders, Christians, and minorities could also gain important information on how the smallest acts can make a huge difference in the world. No profanity was used, and no dislikes were found. The editorial aspect seemed exceptionally well-executed as I only encountered one unnecessary comma. Four out of four stars is the rating for this imperative read.
The colorful spectrum of the human race – yellow, black, white, red, and brown – lays the foundation for Black & White: Healing Racial Divide, a book that encourages benevolence towards “an era of justice and equality.”
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Black & White
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~Tayma Tameem
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