Fortress Press

Black Power and the American Myth

50th Anniversary Edition

In 1970, C. T. Vivian, a close colleague of Martin Luther King, Jr. and a member of his executive staff, sat down to take stock of the civil rights movement and the progress it had made. His assessment was that it failed, and that the blame lay in the existence of myths about America.

As prophetic today as it was 50 years ago, Vivian’s voice rings out as a critique and a call to action for a society in deep need of justice and peace.

Open Wounds

A Story of Racial Tragedy, Trauma, and Redemption

On December 10, 1953, tragedy struck when Nathaniel Allen was murdered on the Sampit River by his white employer. Allen's death was recorded as an accidental drowning, a deliberate cover-up of the bullet hole seen by more than one witness.

Three generations later, Phil Allen Jr. revisits this harrowing story through interviews, difficult conversations, and deep theological reflection, naming racism for what it is and working to chart a path toward reconciliation.

A Spirituality for Doing Justice

Reflections for Congregation-Based Organizers

Dennis Jacobsen brings his many years of experience doing congregation-based organizing for justice into conversation with unique spiritual reflections. Jacobsen turns to his work creating and meditating on icons to connect biblical themes and Christian personalities to guide those who are preparing for congregation-organizing and faith-based social action. His unique perspectives help anyone engaged in such work go deeper in prayer and devotion before diving into the messy work of organizing.