Book Review: "White Evangelical Racism" By Anthea Butler

 “Up to this time, evangelicals had cloaked themselves in morality, respectability, and power. Their politics seemed, to the average onlooker, and perhaps to most of themselves, to be rooted in biblical admonitions and piety. The racism that underlay their religious movement could be waved away through belief, theology, and denial. Not so since the year 2000.”― Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

“The journey to Trump is a story of how whiteness and racism combined to make evangelicals a potent voting bloc awash in racism and racial animus.”
― Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

“Even the massacre of nine Black Christians following a Bible study class was not enough to make American evangelicals face the fact that racism remained a major problem within their ranks. They looked to religiosity in symbolism to deflect scrutiny of their own shortcomings and historical failures with regard to the racism in their churches. This willful blindness would open the door for a man who would be revered by them despite all of his moral failings.

Donald Trump, who won the Republican primary against sixteen opponents and won the presidency in 2016, would become both the savior and the nadir of the evangelical movement in America. Their embrace of this thrice-married casino-owning reality TV star would both give them new recognition in the Republican Party and destroy the image of morality and uprightness they had so carefully cultivated. Evangelicals’ embrace of an unrepentant racist solidified the place of racism in the history of American evangelicalism. More than that, their embrace tore the covers off the anti-Black racism that had existed since the nineteenth century.”

― Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

“For Graham, then, the idea of Americanism connected directly to the morality of the nation. Graham wanted to bring the nation back to God by invoking God's role in its "divine history." If an American citizen did not live morally and become saved, then the nation as well as the individual would suffer. Graham’s take on the linked fate of citizens, government, and nation held the seeds of a nationalistic Christianity, predicated on Christian morals and beliefs as a cornerstone and foundation of the nation, despite the fact that the founders wanted religious freedom for people of all faiths.”
― Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

Now, on to the show...

As we've seen time and time again it comes down to one common denominator: The White Man!

He has done all he can with everything he has in his possession to maintain the status quo and that includes turning the other cheek to incorporate White Evangelicals into the mix.

I've grown accustomed sadly to this display of power and control through the eyes of religious venues and nothing surprises me anymore.

This author was so exact, specific, and she made you stop to ponder not just where we are today but what will we allow to continue in moving forward.

She posed such strong, moral, ethical, and compassionate concerns for addressing much of the hostility, violence, and quest for such power that it's hard to ignore especially at the end of this wonderful piece.

I hope everyone has a chance to read and review this and set aside commonly held beliefs and or myths for the truths.

Thank you to Anthea Butler, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Working Backwards" By Colin Bryar

Unfortunately, this book for me was to bogged down in details about the policies and felt like I was reading the manual rather than enjoying the book.

While I was hoping for insight into the workings of Amazon and the minds of the worlds wealthiest entrepreneurs I felt like what I received was more of a lecture and or sermon that never seemed to end.

I've read other books that addressed the business model of this company and those felt more to my liking with glossaries to address specific protocol and business savvy material.
This novel didn't include such extras and it came across as preaching rather than explaining the inner workings in a more simplistic fashion especially for those of us that have been on the outside of the workforce trying to re-enter the system.

Thank you to Colin Bryar, the publisher, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Willie Nelson's Letters To America" By Willie Nelson

Everything's bigger in Texas and it's no secret his roots are embroiled in the fabric of not only Texans soil but in the very heart of the nation.

When you think of all this man has accomplished in his lifetime and the meanings behind his country songs than you know that he's a no nonsense -tell it like it is- kinda' guy.
He's not a heavy hitter but he will set you straight and that's what I came here for -his honest, heartfelt, and entertaining read.

That's exactly what I got-truths, honesty, and by very definition what it means to be an American today.

This is a splendid tale for all to behold as it weaves the intricacies of art, with music, fame, fortune, and lesser known candid moments of his life that's deeply personal and deeply revealing.

I couldn't have asked for a better companion this past weekend and most certainly on my 48th birthday than to be blessed with this ARC for consumption.

Thank you to Willie Nelson, his pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Last Best Hope" By George Packer

When crisis and opportunity mix you have yourself a ripe new lesson on 'staying alive to survive.'

What more can one say as we encounter a pandemic with maddening minds. Not because we are sick per say but that we're riddled with conspiracies, fake news, and toxic individuals from all sides.

The Last Best Hope gives us a clear cut and precise lane to travel for those who still have their wits about them.

The bleakness rises from the political parties racial tensions, inequality, and unemployment that a pandemic shown was close to Civil War status.

While the nation is trying to recover, the Democracy holds on by a pinky, and the remainder of the world struggles to simply survive much less thrive; we find that we cannot continue on this path.

Something must change. We must not be a nation divided but rather a nation united.
How will we accomplish such task to revive America and set her on the right course?
We shall see...

Thank you to George Packer as this book offers more insight into the current state of affairs of our beloved nation.

Book Review: "The Enablers" By Barbara Kellerman

The Enablers was an exciting and lively new read about those who work behind the scenes to help establish these toxic individuals like 'DT' in the highest offices of the land.

Since, I've happily divorced one of these monsters I know outright the damage and destruction they might cause by appealing to the larger masses in creating this loyal network of followers and enablers.

Many of them operate from a false sense of self as they 'sell themselves' for power, control, and profit and in this case using 'brand name' to accomplish the task.

Those who follow suit will be discarded and devalued even if loyal to the hilt because the individual is selfish, egotistical, and only cares about the superior status and supply he/she gains from such exposure.

The pedestal placement is a perfect soup that requires undivided attention, adulation, and praise and in return you get to play -tag-a- long without much else in the works.

These toxic individuals will promise the world but in reality they offer nothing more than smoke, fog, mirrors and a vanishing act that would put David Copperfield to shame.
It's all part of this persona, this dual mask, the Jekyll and Hyde scenario in which they cannot be competitive because they lack basic human elements like love, compassion, and empathy for their fellow man.

While reading this I took note about the adults in the room theory and the notion that his kids seemed robotic in following their leader. Surely, Melania was a different breed and knew enough to share a room but zero communication which ultimately is the same relationship I had with my former spouse.

It was degrading, disgusting, humiliating, and the most bizarre encounter I've ever had the unfortunate circumstances of living.

As a 'kept woman' and 'business partner' I was never considered for the title of 'wife', 'mother', 'friend', or 'lover.' Why? Because non of these are worthy for those who are mere peasants in the eyes of this 'God-like-creature.'

I feel sorry for those who knowingly allowed this man access in exchange for selling their soul. The privilege of operating at such high standards was over his ability to perform as a 'reality star' and it showed.

Every topic you can address will ultimately come with a negative connotation and those who enabled will find that they were disposable even the most loyal like his own attorney who was tossed to the wolves.

Sadly, this one quote about intimates should be taken for value. Imagine if you're married and this statement was used to describe said relationship. "Melania and Donald have always lived quite separately; they are often in the same building but rarely in the same room."

HELLO!

Now, think folks. If this is how he treats the most cherished person of value- his own wife- than how does he treat those of lesser known status in his so-called inner circle?

This should make you pause when the leader of the the Proud Boys notes that he too believed in the toxicity and was led off the cliff without zero support once he faced serious legal charges against him and his members.

This book addresses so many aspects of the reasoning behind these enablers. While some perform for status and power others seek fame and fortune. Many operate out of nothing more than fear. Fear of retaliation and fear of the unknown.

Thank you to Barbara Kellerman, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review. 

Book Review: "Glass Half-Broken" By Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg

Unfortunately, this ARC cannot be located. I searched this past weekend and was unable to find it.

Therefore, I cannot give a full review but do hope that it might pop-up somewhere along the line.

If it does I'll gladly provide a more thoughtful review.

 While I know it's now archived I cannot possibly read and review over 300 Arc's by the archive date. Many ARC's are reviewed after the archival date and sadly this one wasn't able to be found even amongst my downloaded ARC's.

Thank you to Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg as well as NetGalley and Amazon Kindle.

Book Review: "News for the Rich, White, and Blue" By Nikki Usher

What are blind spots in reporting? How does philanthropic issues affect journalism? What is grant funding and why don't we have more paid work study programs in journalism for college students?

If you've ever wondered if party politics is putting a strain on the current state of local and national news than you're not alone.

It appears that the liberal, wealthy, and blue are continuing to pour in the funds to bring the news they wish to see.

However, there's change on the horizon as digital subscriptions and firewalls have arrived in full force but are they necessary to monitor traffic, create ads, and entice new readers to pay up?

As a former news reader of the two top papers in Northeastern Pennsylvania the quality is most important to me. In this scenario, Nikki Usher brought to light the fact of losing many qualified journalist to downsizing and it's apparently hurting the bottom line.

When my daughter made it to the PIAA state finals for high school volleyball we weren't able to send anyone to cover the news. Not one journalist during a pandemic.

The fact that the news often covered is not geared to the poor, the impoverished, those suffering from these economic times such as the unemployed and underserved is no laughing matter.

What I've seen locally is a pay to play with firewalls and the need for 'likes' overriding the need for 'quality' material.

I'd be willing to pay for something of value but unfortunately what's being placed is not worthy of payment.

I have many friends who work in the news/journalism/media reporter fields and I can tell you that it's not an easy line to walk. The local paper (1 of 2) decided to charge customers for online views which prompted many to stop following and seek other avenues for their media needs. Several AP sources are now being used for free just to learn about local news.

In fact, the same thing happened with our monopoly of cable/internet. When the company raised prices for local channels and we were paying nearly $90 a month for basic local channels many of us went out and purchased 'Roku' and watched the news for free by using the same money we would've spent on monthly charges.

The author mentions 'bundled' packages and just like the news in print the same news on tv also comes with a hefty price. Why not sell just what channels or what sections of print you need?

Well, for those of us who are on fixed incomes, bankrupt, unemployed, in poverty the choice is rather simple. We cannot afford to be priced out of the market.

There's zero catering to those in need. It's a money market business that caters to the elite and so what you see is what's left of that decision making process.

I now pay $50 a month just for internet because they don't value their long term customers which I've never understood. Rather than give a discount of service to your loyal customers they charge them more. Why? When you state a package price at 'x' amount of dollars why within a month does it go from hypothetically speaking (50 a month to 90) for excess fees and charges that continue to rise and the quality of service has not increased for additional channels but in fact declined in service and value.

The same thing is happening with journalism today.

Accordingly, "The more Democratic a state is, the more funding it receives for the investigative journalism."

Keep in mind, "news that serves the poor isn't getting subsidized by philanthropic efforts, just as it is overlooked by for-profit news outlets."

In addition, "following the 2008 recession, many newspapers were hit hard by a perfect storm of rising costs, decreased print ad revenue, decreases in print subscribers, and the realizations that digital ad dollars could not make up for the money lost from print advertising.

The entire concept of news today after the prior President that centered upon name calling of 'fake news' is quite extraordinary.

As a writer/freelance/trade blogger I can't imagine the censorship, the pressure, the need to please the masses at the extent of one's own health and job security.

It's a rough and tumble world and one that requires constant evolvement and change in order to keep up with the fast pacing societal differences.

Thank you to Nikki Usher, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.