Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice – A History of Christians in Action

Why should you read this book? The introduction alone captures the heart of the message:
“Race has mattered throughout American and American church history, and it continues to shape our lives in ways we may not even see. Some Christians in America have carried racial burdens more heavily than others. But today, no Christian in America, no matter their racial background,
can ignore race. This is a gift from God, a moment when we, the church in all its diversity, can seek justice and righteousness in all their fullness.”

This book invites readers to step into history—not as distant observers, but as part of a continuing story. Through the lives of ordinary believers who chose courage and compassion over comfort, it reminds us that faith in action has the power to transform communities and, over time, the world.

In Johnson’s own words “This is an uncommon history book.” She doesn’t just recount events; she challenges readers to think critically about how we’ve come to know what we think we know. She peels back layers of assumption and invites us to look deeper, asking not just what happened
but what it means for us today.

The book is beautifully written and deeply engaging. From the very first sentence, it draws you in—and once you start, it’s hard to put down. The narrative flows so naturally that you forget you’re reading history; instead, it feels like a conversation with a trusted guide who wants you to see and understand more.

What makes this book stand out even more is the way Johnson meets you at the end of each section. She doesn’t just leave you with information— she leaves you with thoughtful questions and gentle challenges. These reflections help you process what you’ve read and consider what your next steps might be, whether that’s learning more, rethinking assumptions, or taking action in your own community. This isn’t just history; it’s an invitation—to learn, to reflect, and to engage in the ongoing story of justice and reconciliation.

Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice has been an enlightening read! I have really enjoyed how the author, Karen Johnson, has woven the threads of historical figures in her explanations of how their unique roles impacted racial justice. Karen Johnson has written an incredibly rich book that shares with us, the reader, how complex humanity is and she points others to God and His role in giving each of us purpose while on earth, to love others and promote unity and justice. Karen Johnson's writing gives the reader a deep appreciation for how their stories can intersect with racial justice, The focus is on the stories of four amazing individuals: Catherine De Hueck, John Perkins, Clarence Jordan, and Rock of our Salvation. She allows the reader to really get to know each of these individuals and their communities, and ties together the broader historical contexts that were occurring in their time. The depth of research, with ample footnotes/endnotes to reference each section, will give you a greater understanding of racial justice through the eyes of four-time frames, four-geographical areas, and four-incredible people. Thank you to NetGalley and IVP Academic for the Advance Review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In first picking up this book, I was anticipating a survey of historical figures who were involved in areas of racial justice. What I was met with was that and so much more! Karen Johnson lovingly and thoroughly introduces the reader to four people and communities where you are immersed into their world through various moments in history. Karen Johnson writes in a way that shows the complexity of humanity. She reminds the readers that God uses people who are not perfect and who we may even think are not the right people to accomplish God’s work here on earth. Giving the reader a chance to appreciate the complexity of these communities leads to a deeper appreciation for each of their intersections and impacts in the history of racial justice.

I also deeply appreciated the structure of the book. While the reader gets to know the people and communities, Karen Johnson also seamlessly ties in the broader historical and structural contexts that were impacting race at the time. At the end of each chapter, the reader is offered some personal insight from Karen Johnson and given a chance to wrestle with questions that she poses in relation to the content of that chapter. This book is accessible to a wide range of audiences - those who are new to conversations about race in Christian contexts and those who may be familiar with it. Karen Johnson encourages her readers to wrestle with the ideas that run through her book and she wrestles right alongside you! She writes in her introduction as an encouragement to her readers, “God is bigger than all we know, and he can handle our questions and our fumbling”.

I highly encourage people to read this book!

“Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice” focuses on people who were at the forefront of fighting for equal rights but are not as well-known or are not household names, so to speak. The book starts off with case studies of specific people such as Catherine de Hueck who founded Friendship House. She called on “wealthy and middle-class White Catholics to not just say they loved Jesus but [also] to love him by meeting the physical needs of people who had less.” This is a book that will be very good to assign in a wide spectrum of classrooms in terms of levels — it will fit for high school courses and social studies, it will fit for undergraduatees and courses that the subject matter is related to, and especially in programs that are dedicated to theology and religious studies. The author provides meticulous discussions of factors including the landscapes where Catherine did most of her work and in Harlem. One of the book’s other useful features is that there are questions for reflection and study so that people can have discussions based on the reading material. The book also discusses the figure of Reverend John Perkins, who was beaten badly by white police and jailed in Rankin County in Mississippi. The police attacked John because he was “riling up” Black people to upset the racial order. His story, and his context of fighting for Civil Rights in 1970s Mississippi is also a very important one and not as well-known. Although the book’s order and the way it presents certain discussions are a bit disjointed, it does contain important information throughout, including the film ‘Gone with the Wind.’ There are other stories of great significance throughout the book that get their due including the Black Army officer-turned-pastor Raleigh Washington and his wife Pualette and how they partnered with a white couple, Glen and Lonni Kehrein, in Chicago, and tried to change most white evangelicals’ thinking about race. Recommended —

This book is titled Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice but it’s clear the people in it are extraordinary. Yet they were just treating to follow the call of God. If you’re a Christian and have an ounce of desire to understand racial justice, and how to love and live as God calls us to, you will be inspired and compelled by the lives and work of these people. Thank you for the reminder and for these real life examples of setting the pace toward a more just and beautiful world where brothers and sisters, black and white and everyone in between can not only coexist but thrive in a beautiful community, if we are willing to do the work.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Karen Johnson for an ARC of this book!

Inspiring, powerful, and full of heart ✊🏽📖. Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice celebrates the everyday individuals who have fought for equality, reminding us that change often starts small but creates lasting impact. Karen J. Johnson weaves together history, personal stories, and activism with compassion and clarity. I adored the hopeful, empowering tone. Essential reading for anyone passionate about justice and allyship.