October 31 is the publication date for See Me, Believe Me: A Guide to Deepen Allyship with Congregational Leaders of Color by Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers.
It is also the one-year book birthday of the first two Mouth House books: Ashes to Action: Finding Myself at the Interaction of the Minneapolis Uprising and Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color.
Keep reading to learn more about the connections between Rev. Dr. Denson-Byers and two other Mouth House contributors.
Augsburg Fortress: Pastor Yolanda, how do you know your fellow authors?
Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers: In the case of both Shari and Pastor Angela, I think we found we were running in the same circles in the Twin Cities. All of us were doing anti-racism work out of Lutheran congregations. We started to see each other in the community, a house party, and other action-oriented events. When I find compatriots who share my passion and zeal for helping us to love God and neighbor better, I stick close. I call Shari my "ride or die" because she has shown up so faithfully and consistently for me—and my family.
Augsburg Fortress: What gifts do you see them and their books offering the broader church?
Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers: Both Shari and Pastor Angela have voices that must be amplified for the good of the church. Both have been on the front lines of justice work in our community and both have seen—and experienced—the real violence of racism in America. They have both paid a cost for following Jesus into some of the most painful and unjust situations we have faced in the Twin Cities. Both have made tremendous sacrifices to stand near black and brown bodies in peril. I believe that the broader church can learn from their steadfast faithfulness in times of conflict and division. One thing I hope we all learn from them is that it is not appropriate for a follower of Jesus to run away from "the least of these," our siblings in the human family, when things get hard, dangerous, or costly.
Augsburg Fortress: Your book is an essential read for folks who have already read Call to Allyship. How do you hope this book can lead to needed change?
Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers: I hope that my book personalizes the struggle for racial justice in America. I hope that by reading my story—and those of the other BIPOC pastors I was privileged to interview—readers will have a greater understanding of the cost to people of color who choose to serve in predominantly white environments. Very often people say to me, "Did that really happen?" The answer is "Hell, yes!" These unbelievable stories happened in real life. One would wish they weren't true, but they are. See Me, Believe Me, invites my readers to enter into the painful realities faced by BIPOC leaders, and individuals, every day and determine to make a positive difference everywhere possible.
Click here to order Pastor Yolanda’s book See Me, Believe Me.
Click here to order Shari’s book Ashes to Action.
