Author: Jemar Tisby

Jemar Tisby is the founder of The Witness, Inc. and a staff writer for The Witness BCC.  He is the author of How to Fight Racism and the New York Times bestseller, The Color of Compromise. Follow him @JemarTisby
Current Events History Justice

Trayvon Martin’s Death and a Resurgent Civil Rights Movement in America

Jemar Tisby

February 26, 2012 marked a resurgence of the civil rights movement in America. Seven years ago, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American was walking back from a convenience store in Sanford, Florida wearing a hoodie and carrying Skittles and iced tea. Moments later, he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watchman. The circumstances of Martin’s killing polarized the nation […]

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Politics Current Events Christian Living The Witness

“Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.”–Reflections on President Obama’s Farewell Speech

Jemar Tisby

NOTE: The following is not an endorsement of all of President Obama’s policies nor an endorsement of the Democratic party. The intention is to reflect on the content of a single speech as it impacted a single writer. On January 10, 2017, President Obama delivered his formal farewell speech to end his eight year term. The […]

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Theology Current Events Christian Living Identity The Witness

Trump’s Election and Feeling “Safe” in White Evangelical Churches

Jemar Tisby

Some of my comments on an episode of Pass The Mic have invited scrutiny and strong disagreement. In general, I accept this as part of the task of racial reconciliation and a positive sign of tackling the right topics. Due to distorted interpretations, however, I do sense the need to clarify those statements and extend their application. What […]

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Theology How to be an Ally 101 Justice

Reflections from a Black Presbyterian on the PCA’s Overture on Racial Reconciliation

Jemar Tisby

The theme of the the Presbyterian Church in America’s 44th General Assembly was “Refreshed In and For the Cross.” For those present on the evening of June 23, 2016, it may have been one of the most refreshing times in the denomination’s history. That night, Overture 43: Pursuing Racial Reconciliation and the Advancement of the […]

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The Witness

Supporting White Christians When They Attempt to Work for Racial Justice

Jemar Tisby

Even though ethnic minorities call for white, evangelical Christians to speak up and be allies for racial justice, their sincere attempts to do so often get the side-eye. It’s an age-old problem. How do minorities, particularly African Americans, respond when white Christians get involved with racial justice efforts? During the Civil Rights Movement, organizations like […]

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The Witness

Writing Under the White Gaze

Jemar Tisby

Sometimes I don’t know whether I’m writing for a white audience or a black audience. My words are meant for both groups–any groups really–but on a network dedicated to addressing the core concerns of African Americans biblically, the primary recipients of those words should be easy to identify. I sometimes write expressly to my white […]

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Men Christian Living Relationships/Family

If You Want to Disciple Young Black Men, Be a Teacher

Jemar Tisby

Black males make up just two percent of public education teachers. That’s right…two percent. Yet public schools, especially in the inner city and other low-income areas are overwhelmingly comprised of racial minorities. I constantly hear black Christian men talking about mentoring black youth. But it’s almost always in the context of church planting, or other “vocational” […]

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