Anyone who views the extension of justice, compassion, racial reconciliation and empowerment as central to their vocational responsibility should welcome "The Covenant with Black America" to their resource kit.  Though all Christians should be concerned with the issues addressed in this text, "Covenant" is especially relevant for those working close to the nexus of race and justice in

 For the past six years, Tavis Smiley, a journalist, TV personality and author, has gathered some of the most thoughtful and creative African-American leaders to discuss the "State of the Black Union."   These symposia have been covered by C-span and have attracted an ever-growing audience. "Covenant" is the result of these meetings.   Published by the oldest African-American owned press in the country, "Covenant" is the first black published book to make the New York Times Bestseller list, where it debuted at number six.

In its various chapters, "Covenant" confronts readers with the devastating effects of slavery and continued racism, both personal and structural.  But the faith and hope that encourage black folk to persevere and triumph is equally present.

"Covenant" is a playbook, equipping those who would see the future different from the past with strategies and practices to achieve this goal.  There are 10 parts to the covenant, including securing the right to healthcare, good education, safer environments and economic opportunities.  

In each of these aspects of our common life together, the authors present an unvarnished view of the current state of affairs.  Staggering statistics devastate any fantasy that we live in a color blind society.  But the authors reject resignation in favor of hope.  Each chapter includes stories of those who are answering the challenges and righting the wrongs and provides a list of action items that will immediately make a difference.  The chapter on environmental justice, for example, reveals how the costs of environmental degradation are borne disproportionately by black Americans.  But an action plan for the community, individuals and for leaders and elected officials forestalls despair.  These actions include raising our consciousness about the effectiveness of environmental policies, checking our homes for lead paints and demanding that our elected officials strengthen and enforce environmental and health standards.  In the chapter on health care, the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, outlines the major disparities in health care and outcomes in this country.  Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast, colon and prostate cancer are all much more prevalent causes of death in the African-American community than in white America. Infant mortality rates are 2.4 times higher.  Two-thirds of new teen AIDS cases are among blacks.  Though many of these tragic health statistics are due to economic disparity, "Covenant" provides a list of things African Americans can do right now to improve their health, and it describes community efforts that have already made a difference in the health standards of members.

In both these instances, "Covenant" displays a sophisticated understanding of the challenges that face African Americans and offers a nuanced yet accessible strategy for responding.

Where is the church in this fight for justice and equality in black America? Certainly, black churches have a long history as leading agents of social change. That "Covenant" does not make the church more of a focus may be a judgment on the contemporary black church rather than a weakness of the book.  As some at this year's symposium on black America suggested, black churches, while still central in the life of communities, may be losing some of their authority and capacity for leading change, to the degree that they have turned inward, focusing on individual happiness and prosperity rather than social justice.  Leaders in churches, both lay and professional, both black and white, would do well to take to heart the challenging realities presented in this book, and to reassert the church's prophetic role on the subject of race.