White Christian Privilege - The Illusion of Religious Equality in America

“Her argument is simple: Christianity (particularly the European Protestant strain) has been established as the unacknowledged common culture, not simply religion, of the United States, leading to a situation where anything not white, Western, and Christian is seen as abnormal…This brisk overview is a must-read for those interested in America’s Christian foundation.”

Read the full review by Publisher's Weekly.

“‘Khyati Y. Joshi’s timely new book raises important questions before one reads even a single page: How will Joshi define “white”? Or “Christian”? Or even “privilege”? Joshi offers up historical context, as well as contemporary interviews and anecdotes, to shine “a light on Christian privilege and its entwinement with White privilege” as well as to “equip readers with tools and ideas regarding how they can recognize it operating in our society and foster a more equitable environment for all.”

Read the full review by America: The Jesuit Review.

“‘In order to form a more perfect Union,’ books such as White Christian Privilege add enormous value to highlighting the gap between illusion and reality.”

Read the full review by New York Journal of Books.

Joshi explores the structures of white Christian privilege embedded in American institutions, laws, and culture. The first half of the book outlines the historical trajectory of white, Christian privilege through the emergence of national identity within the United States, ideals of white supremacy that are embedded within American culture, and the right (or denial) of citizenship. While the narrative is chronological, its intent is to outline salient past events that led to the present state. The next two chapters are arguably the most insightful, as they outline examples of those who have the privilege but are blind to it, and some of the inequities suffered by uneven privilege. The last chapter summarizes the major milestones needed to achieve to become a more inclusive society, and provides a glimpse of Joshi’s vision of an inclusive nation.

Verdict This academic work views privilege almost exclusively through the lens of social justice. Recommended for readers interested in historical roots of religious freedom.—Muhammed Hassanali, Shaker Heights, OH

"Joshi views subliminal privilege in the common metaphors and underlying assumptions of our society. This privilege is sometimes Christian, sometimes white, and sometimes both. White Christian Privilege sets forth the history and the evidence for this privilege, and then proposes how to change that privilege."

”Insightful and provocative. Taking a social justice approach, this timely book explores how Christianity has been leveraged to maintain and reproduce structures of domination and subordination, a discussion that is much needed and most welcome as debates about borders, migrants, and citizenship inflect public policy and civic engagement.”

"Illuminates the myriad ways that social structures, individual actions, and cultural assumptions have brought White Christians outsized power and freedom from responsibility. Thoughtful people of all races and faiths need to read and heed her words."

"Smart and timely, energetic and approachable, this book is destined to be one of those touchstone texts that finds its way to a varied audience eager both to learn and to make meaningful change in American culture."