Prophetic Justice: Race, Religion, and Politics
2nd Edition (2024)
with a new foreword by Susannah Heschel
In this prophetic collection of seminal essays and articles, the public intellectual, theologian, and social justice scholar Reverend Professor Keith Magee provides a thoughtful, sharp, and critical analysis of how questions of race, religion, and politics have an impact on society today. Prophetic Justice: Race, Religion, and Politics (WestBow Press, 2024; 2nd ed.) explores the historical context of American democracy and how it has long failed to deliver true justice to all of the nation’s citizens. It exposes the social construct of race and the myriad ways in which this false idea – along with the sometimes wilful misinterpretations of sacred texts – have been used to justify the subjugating of one people by another, simply because of the color of their skin. Written between 2016 and 2023, these essays and articles touch on some painful subjects, but also give us reason to hope. Keith Magee describes how, with empathy, courage, and faith, we can come together to face up to the injustices of the past and celebrate our common humanity, thus creating a new world in which every life truly matters.
ENDORSEMENTS
"Written with both wisdom and vulnerability, this collection of writings on the personal and public intersections of race, religion and politics builds toward a powerful call to action for all of us. If each of us responds to Keith Magee's invitation to act with love and courage, perhaps we can indeed redeem the soul of our nation."
Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita, Spelman College and Author, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race
“Because the Beloved Community beckons us, and the soul of America is at stake, Prophetic Justice is a must read. It is a clarion call to those who are profoundly committed to liberating America from the historical and ongoing oppression around race, religion, and politics, that seeks to continually divide us.”
Bernice King, Civil Rights Leader
"Keith Magee has written a rich, wise, and important mixture of race, politics, and religion, all placed in a history of centuries. We know all of it and yet we don't. We know that George Floyd was not an accident and Prophetic Justice reminds us why Black Lives Matter has to be called out in the 21st Century. We have made progress, but history tells us how deep racism remains. This is a must read this book."