Let Justice Be Done

Overview

"Let Justice Be Done displays vital writings of those who had the integrity to resist slavery in the United States.... I highly recommend Walters' accessible work in learning from history so as not to repeat human tragedies over and over." --Rev. Michael Battle, Director, Desmond Tutu Center, General Theological Seminary

"An indispensable collection from a 'cloud of witnesses' who inspire and guide us in the struggle for liberation." --Alex Mikulich, co-editor, Interrupting White Privilege: Catholic Theologians Break the Silence

Almost from the first arrival of enslaved Africans in 1619 until the end of the antebellum period, a prophetic crusade to eliminate the sin of slavery stirred the American conscience. The abolitionists were deeply faithful Christians who believed that if anything was contrary to the will of God, it was human bondage. Mocked, threatened, and abused, their influence was ultimately profound.

Let Justice Be Done includes representative voices of the abolitionist cause—women and men, black and white. Among them are towering figures such as William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Lucretia Mott. Their struggle against one of the greatest evils to blemish American history demonstrated that religious faith can and rightfully should be a powerful force in calling out injustice, speaking truth to power, and planting seeds of change.

Kerry Walters is professor emeritus of philosophy as well peace and justice studies at Gettysburg College. He is the author of 42 books including The Art of Dying and Living, Rufus Jones, and Giving up God (all Orbis).