How Ableism Fuels Racism: Dismantling the Hierarchy of Bodies in the Church Paperback - 2024

From the rear cover

The Surprising Connection between Racism and Ableism in the Church

As a Black autistic pastor and disability scholar, Lamar Hardwick lives at the intersection of disability, race, and religion. In How Ableism Fuels Racism, he helps Christian communities engage in critical conversations about race by addressing issues of ableism.

Hardwick believes that ableism--the idea that certain bodies are better than others--and the disability discrimination fueled by this perspective are the root causes of racial bias and injustice in American culture and in the church. Drawing on historical records, biblical interpretation, and disability studies, he examines how ableism has perpetuated both disability and racial discrimination. He calls the church to address deep-seated issues of ableism and offers practical steps for dismantling ableism and racism in attitude and practice.

"Necessary reading for anyone who seeks justice in the church. Hardwick highlights the history of ableism and racism in US churches and invites us to a joy-filled reversal of the shame that comes from worshiping these idols."
--Amy Kenny, director, Disability Cultural Center, Georgetown University; author of My Body Is Not a Prayer Request

"Hardwick draws a connection between race and disability and what we must do to dismantle a hierarchy of bodies to achieve a more just society in our churches, communities, and the world."
--Terence Lester, founder of Love Beyond Walls; author of All God's Children, I See You, and When We Stand

"Hardwick provides a sweeping review of the way historical and theological ableism upholds American Christian racism. This book is relatable, persuasive, and perhaps most important, constructive."
--Erin Raffety, researcher, Princeton Theological Seminary; lecturer, Princeton University

Media reviews

Citations

• Publishers Weekly, 11/13/2023, Page 0