Joni Schwartz-Chaney '76
University Professor and Author
B.A. ’76 (College of Education and Human Development)
Alumni Association Member
About Critical Faith: Critical Race & the Church book
Near hysteria has erupted in the media, state and federal legislatures, community boards, and churches around critical race theory (CRT). Despite the term’s history, development, and clearly defined meaning, it has become a catch-all for white America’s fears, deflections, and equivocations on race, society, and the law. Christians are no exception. Their critiques routinely claim that CRT is rewriting of American history, that it is anti-democratic, and even heretical.
Critical Faith presents a counter argument to these claims and insists that CRT is a tool to grapple with the thorny issue of race in both society and the church. In a reasoned tone, Critical Faith defines the origins of CRT, explains what the theory is, and demonstrates its merits from teaching experiences of the author.
Schwartz-Chaney argues that CRT is the victim of what Patricia Williams calls “definitional theft,” and that by recovering its original meaning, Christians can move past mischaracterizations and caricatures toward a more nuanced view of race, racism, and the tools available to make progress in the church and in society.
The author, a social activist scholar who focuses on racism, sexism in the church, is available for book clubs, speaking events, and conferences. Her writing is contemporary cutting to the heart of faith while integrating the intellect.
For information about purchasing books, autographed and gift copies, or scheduling Joni for book clubs, book talks, or lectures, click on the website icon in the contact section below.
About Joni
Dr. Joni Schwartz-Chaney is Professor of Humanities at the City University of New York – LaGuardia Community College and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Graduate Studies Program. She is a critical researcher, social activist scholar with a focus on engagement of Black male students in STEM as well as race and re-entry from prison, and race and communication.
