Jasmine L. Holmes

A book like this is so important, not only because some people are making efforts to block out or water down shameful and unjust parts of American history. I've also found over the years that Black Americans are oftentimes viewed or treated as secondary figures and voices—even in stories and discussions about them.

Much like this author states:

First, so often, when looking at the history of enslavement, readers tend to look at the perspective of the oppressor first...
When people ask, "Did anyone in the church stand up for the rights of the enslaved?" they generally mean, "Did any white churchmen stand up for the rights of the enslaved?" They don't usually mean, "What was the Black church saying about slavery?" because the Black church isn't at the center of their understanding of what the American church is.
To ask what Black men and women thought about slavery...is to center the oppressed in our conversation about oppression.

It's so important that this book gives readers the opportunity to hear from voices of the past, a people's own voices, and not only as a supplement or a secondary angle to the narrative.

I appreciate that this book highlights how Black men and women weren't idle and that the enslaved in the United States weren't merely "helpless pawns tossed to and fro" as history happened to them.

But men and women did rebel throughout the history of enslavement in America... Because as human beings made in God's image, they had an innate sense of their worth given by God.

Dignity.

Now, perhaps this part goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway: Just because I'm a Black woman and proud to be so doesn't mean I agree with everything every Black person in history ever did or said. Not even every distinguished Black voice in history agreed with each other about everything, of course, which this author doesn't neglect to make clear.

Hence, just because I may highly recommend this book doesn't mean I condone every word or deed of every single noteworthy figure in it.

But I do indeed highly recommend this book to anyone who considers it wise to gain perspective on history—including when it comes to the integral ways that American history and Christianity coincide.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.… (altro)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I absolutely loved it. This book gave me a better understanding of role of African Americans in the history of the US. While the book relied heavily on quotes, the author really emphasized giving a place to each of these voices from the past. Holmes is really gifted in her manner of not overgeneralizing her subjects and their own disagreements, while still showing how each particular person contributed to achieving freedom. She shows that the African American slaves were not passive in the quest for freedom. They played an active, pivotal role in moving the US toward change--one that was rooted in a thriving Christian tradition and deep understanding of the imago Dei. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions in this review are my own.… (altro)

This was an interesting read. Jasmine got my immediate attention when she started with the story of Nat Turner and David Walker. This, to me, formed the framework of dignity, respect, and truth. Each person she mentioned in this story had biblical truths that framed their thoughts and actions--either for or against violence, either for black women or black men voting rights, or for staying in America or going to Africa. She mentioned other people: Harriet Jacobs, Mary Shadd, the Forte family, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, Rev. Daniel Payne, and many others who fought for dignity, respect and truth using the tools and skills they had. As Holmes so clearly stated in one of her chapters. . ."This was not just about slavery, but about personhood. These people, created in the image of God, had the same inalienable rights as their white neighbors, and like their white neighbors, they were willing to fight for them." And we still are.… (altro)

This book was one that I knew I would love and resonate with. A book where I would feel seen.

What I didn't know is that this book would be read during a time where I needed the reminders. So I wouldn't give into the shame like I did the first time around.

As a full time working mama, I often feel that voice, that taunt of shame. The "you aren't really a true Christian woman because, if you were, your husband and daughter would be enough for you. You're being a selfish woman for wanting more than dishes and diapers."

Yeah that taunt.

Or the feeling like I'm thirty-three with only one child. Content if that's all I am given. Someone that only wants one more if I do get pregnant again. But what Christian woman who grew up in fundamentalist circles....how dare I say that....or so my shame says. When I was on birth control from 2015 to 2020, I was convinced I would get cancer OR I'd never have a child. Some way of God shaming me because I was "playing God" by taking dominion over the Earth.

So, upon deciding to get back on birth control again, the shame and taunts came coming back. Jasmine's book reminded me that while we all have different triggers to our shame, it is something we struggle with. We all have our lies that we listen to. And it's time to put them to rest.

Jasmine and I came from very similar backgrounds (homeschooled, purity culture, etc.). So I knew I would immediately be on board with Never Cast Out. But what I didn't expect (and I should have known better) were all of the highlights, and the few tear stained pages, this slim volume contains for me now. Jasmine does what many people I listened to back then did NOT. Gives the Scripture straight up. No opinions, no "that doesn't apply anymore" or "this is what God really meant." I felt taken to Church; I was made to put my eyes on where they should be: that of my Savior.

I'm always going to have a struggle with shame and people's opinions of me, or my opinions of myself, this side of Heaven. BUT I'm resolved to try better this year. To know that my sin and shame has been paid already. To know what is truth and that truth will set me free. That I'm not less of a mother for loving my librarian career. That I'm not going to receive punitive action for taking a birth control pill. The Gospel is what reigns supreme.

Bravo, Jasmine, on writing such a vulnerable book.… (altro)