Watch White Savior: Racism In The American Church

White Savior: Racism In The American Church is a documentary film released in the year 2019 that sheds light on the prevalent issue of racism within the American church. The documentary aims to explore how the church is often viewed as a place of sanctuary, where people from all backgrounds come together to worship and embrace one another. However, the film highlights how this notion and reality differ significantly, particularly in the case of African Americans in the church.

The movie is directed by Eric J. Watts and stars Ashe Jaafaru, who goes on a journey to uncover the truth behind the facade of the American church. Ashe Jaafaru is a renowned pastor, speaker, and drummer whose voice is instrumental in conveying the plight of the African Americans in the church. The documentary features several interviews with pastors, theologians, and churchgoers from different regions of America, sharing their views on race issues in the church.

The film opens with shocking statistics about racial disparities in American churches. The statistics show that 80% of American churches are predominantly white, and African American churches only make up 6% of the total congregations. The film then delves deeper into the issue of racism in the American church, exposing racial biases in different aspects. For instance, the documentary examines how churches are divided by race, culture, and class, with African Americans often relegated to the peripheral seats in the back of the church.

White Savior: Racism In The American Church further explores how the church has historically perpetuated racism through cultural appropriation. The documentary highlights examples where African American culture and traditions were borrowed and incorporated into the church's various practices, but without crediting or acknowledging their originators. This cultural misappropriation further perpetuated the notion of white supremacy, with African Americans being portrayed as inferior and unenlightened.

The film also scrutinizes how the church's silence on social issues, such as police brutality towards African Americans, has perpetuated systemic racism. The documentary argues that the church should be at the forefront in addressing social justice issues, but instead, they remain mute on such topics, perpetuating the notion that they support the status quo.

White Savior: Racism In The American Church provides an in-depth analysis of the historical roots of racism in the church, such as how Christianity was used as a tool for oppression during slavery. The film further explores how this oppression was continued even after the abolition of slavery through segregation and Jim Crow laws that only served to entrench racial divides.

Throughout the documentary, Ashe Jaafaru and other notable social justice activists urge the church to acknowledge their privilege and to work towards eradicating racism. They encourage churches to be more open to diverse congregations and to celebrate their unique identities rather than force assimilation. The documentary also calls on the church to engage more with the broader society and make a positive impact in addressing social justice issues.

In conclusion, White Savior: Racism In The American Church is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that brings to light the significant issue of racism in the American church. The film carefully examines racism's historical roots in the church, exposes its various manifestations, and provides a call to action to combat it. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone who is passionate about social justice and equality, particularly for those with a keen interest in the intersection of faith, race, and identity.

White Savior: Racism In The American Church is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.