Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads

On the spot Trumpism stuff. An educated view on this racial system exposed

I liked the way the book was presented and written.

As usual, Rev. Al is on point!

RISE UP is An Amazing Book; the Author was very thorough; an easy read that completely draws you in, as a page turner. Should be a Historical Curriculum for Schools!

Always nice

big al

The book was easy to read and it was interesting and well written.

Finite is book in 48 hours...great weekend read!

This book makes me ask....Lord what am I doing???

Just as Rev Sharpton is honest and easygoing with his MSNBC message, so is this book filled with experiences and how to become an activist. There's hope and reality. I was glad I bought and have sent to a friend.

(I listened to the audiobook on the day of its UK release) From the outset, Al Sharpton’s ‘Rise Up’ is both brutally honest about the current state of the US, and brimming with hope. (Not empty, optimistic upbeatism, but the kind of hope that carries frightening responsibility). Sharpton’s rhetoric is almost musical - especially when you hear the audio version which is read by Sharpton himself. It is difficult to locate Sharpton’s on the scale of left-centrist-right. He is both critical of progressivism, but addresses with great competence many of the concerns prioritised by progressivists. His book progresses through various aspects of contemporary injustice, all of them in one way or another, linked to race. Covering ethics, faith, women’s rights, LBGTQ rights, immigration, the environment and activism. At every step of his argument he speaks from a wealth of personal experience, and brings a strong narrative dimension to underpin the practical plea he offers to his readers. Whilst claiming his book is not necessarily directed at academics, it is carefully argued and defensible in academic circles. Frequent use of Scripture, for instance, is hardly surprising for a preacher. But Sharpton’s use of scripture is insightful and radical. For instance, his appeal to Psalm 37, which includes the words, ‘I was young and now I am old, and have never seen the righteous forsaken.’ At Oxford, I was taught he uncomfortable truth that whoever penned those words must have enjoyed a sheltered and privileged life. However, Sharpton’s simple reading offers a simple but compelling alternative. It is only an individualist reading that requires this to be a statement of privilege. Those who die without ever witnessing the outcome of their struggle for justice, are still able to embody the genuine hope that their struggle for justice (a better translation than righteousness) does not die with them. If nothing else, I am grateful for this powerful alternative to the prevailing individualistic interpretation of Scripture. Like many, he offers weighty critique of Donald Trump. However, his analysis of Trump’s policy and persona arise from serious reflection on his own personal interactions with Trump himself and those close to him. In this light, it is a critique is unlike any I have read – and quite refreshing. He also manages (with lessons learnt from the widow of the great Martin Luther King) to engage in severe critique without resorting to insulting. Given the current climate in US media outlets, this places Sharpton in a respectful minority. More refreshingly, he does not criticise Trump as a ‘bad apple’ but is well aware of the problem with tree from which the apple fell. The conditions that produced a Trump are as much, if not more, of a concern than the phenomenon of Trump himself. By the time he moves to his discussion of the Me Too movement, he has already established for the reader, his own credentials and concerns as a preacher fighting for justice. Although race is the fundamental injustice that underpins much of his thinking – he does not (like the representatives of modern Identity Politics) restrict his concerns to one particular cause. He recognises and spells out the relation between all forms of inequality, and every malicious desire to gain power over another human being – whether personally or politically, individually or socially. The same insight and acumen is brought to his discussion of LGBTQ rights. Again, he speaks with personal insight – seeing up close the struggles faced by his own sister Joy, simply on account of her being Lesbian. The logic taught by his mother serves as a magnificent summary of Sharpton’s analytic lens: ‘She’s your sister!’ Shared humanity trumps all and leads to a theology and biblical interpretation of the issue that should be taught at all evangelical Bible colleges. The same logic (she’s your sister) carries over into his chapter on immigration: ‘every man’s your brother’. Jesus was an immigrant – he begins. Like Sharpton himself, Jesus ‘grew up in the mud’. The basis of his claims about immigration arise, again, from intelligent political reading of scripture – allowing it to shine a light on Trump’s xenophobic policies – especially his attempts to suppress votes among certain communities. The preacher examines the contemporary racisms applied to immigrant families, and describes the situation as ‘democracy on life support’. The unbelievable plight of Flint, Michigan informs his discussion of environmentalism. ‘What if terrorists were poisoning our water?’ he asks. When corporations do it, however, the media turns a blind eye. The overwhelming victims of such mass scale poisoning are black and brown citizens in economically deprived areas – those who suffer most are those are least responsible for the crisis. This is a reflection of national and international ecological injustice. The book concludes with a practical guide to activism. Sharpton is well placed to speak about activism. Echoing the great Rabbi Heschel, Sharpton urges that ‘to do nothing’, he says, ‘is worth than the injustice itself’. His practical guidelines take the reader well beyond the ‘boutique activism’ where you can gain reputation as a hero, but cost you little. This closing chapter is necessary reading for those who genuinely care enough to do something about the state of the world. The call to ‘Rise Up’, is not a dewy eyed, shallow-minded virtue-signalling public display. It is a practical, costly, gritty, long-term commitment that requires listening to the other, engaging communally, and ‘making your own bed’. Sharpton’s epilogue is a motivational call to Rise up. ‘Give me something to work with’ imagines Sharpton visiting your family to plan your funeral. It ends as it began, with appeal to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, itself an appeal to stand against the ‘spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms’ (Eph 6:12). Sharpton’s book is extremely powerful and stirring. It is also a surprise. Even when you know what is coming, Sharpton offers a biblical interpretation that is both authentic and radical, a personal narrative that is encouraging as well as challenging, and a degree of insight that leaves the world looking like a darker place than you thought – but with a greater reason for hope than might seem reasonable. That hope, however, if you are to experience it for yourself, requires you to ‘Rise Up’.

His dogma. His life. His social justice. His view of America. The book is very current.Focused on race and justice. At times it can be preachy. The book is relatively short. I still need to read it a few pages at a time. Overall, worth the price.

A must read for anyone seeking facts. Thanks Rev!

I read this book because I enjoy watching Rev. Sharpton on Morning Joe. In my experience, he has always been very insightful speaking about BLM or whatever the topic. In fact, while I think he is spot on when it comes to BLM, I noticed watching Morning Joe that I equally enjoyed hearing his perspective on other topics of the day. And this is the case in Rise Up. The Reverend is authentic and keeps it real in offering an unvarnished view of the civil rights movement with its greatness and its warts. I learned a lot from him. He also nails Donald Trump, including based on personal interactions with him. Rev. Sharpton may not be MLK, but no one can be (and MLK himself was not perfect). Rev. Sharpton, however, carries MLK's tradition and makes it more raw and pragmatic. I believe the Reverend is on a roll and could continue to increase his influence in the future in fighting for fairness and equality for blacks and other disadvantaged groups.

Great read and great insights

I have been reading current affairs books recently. I am also a news freak. I enjoyed ready Rise Up. For those who are not as informed on current issues and only get their news from one news station or social media; This book would serve your knowledge base to gain a more whole and accurate representation of our current life in the country.

Few writers have captured the cost of activism the way Al Sharpton has. Chapter 8 is worth its weight in gold. He threads a time line from our present, to the past that gave me a greater appreciation for the organization he represents. If you want it to be a secret, don’t call him... This is a must read...

excellent

I pre-ordered this book. I read the book, and thought that the reflected information was insightful and very astute within this political environment. Politically, we are definitely at a crossroads regarding the future of this country. It was well written and it was money well spent.

Met Rev. Sharpton at a Black Lives Matter event and he signed my book!

Full of untruths

Very interesting listening.

Very easy to understand

I have followed the Rev & his activism since the 70’s & have always been awed at how he is able to be a change agent for racial justice, community support, & national issues of injustices. This book is very well-written, spanning a history of his activism throughout decades without being self-serving or self-aggrandizing. He calls it as it is, starting with the racially-driven police brutality cases in the last 50 years to the current state of despair in America in 2020 regarding Trump’s lack of leadership, compassion, & response to the Coronavirus, racial killings by police, economic devastation of the country, DACA & the fiasco that is the national 2020 election. The Rev does not mince words, tells it as it is, & calls Americans to rise up, get involved in their communities, & strive to make a difference for all of us. A great read! Thank you Rev for writing this book and for showing us what our God-given duty is...for the greater good!

general reading

A great well written , fact filled and enjoyable to read book.

An excellent and informative read! If you don't know a lot about Rev. Sharpton, this book will give you a broad look into the man, and all that he has given for the cause...

I bought it for myself and now my husband is actually sitting down to read it and remarking: "This is good stuff!" Hats off to the Rev.

Good read

I really enjoyed reading this book. I learned quite a bit about certain laws and authorizations of POTUS. It also encourages others to BE the change they want to see in the world. Turn your frustrations and hopeless feelings into action to change your community one step at a time. It sounds cliché but if we all do a little something things will be different. I definitely recommend this book.

Highly recommended. He writes like he speaks, which is very direct. A real keeper !

Excellent book to read get your copy Love very much.

Just finished reading this book and I can attest to the fact that Rev. Al really kept it REAL in this book. I'm recommding it for people to check this book out. You will not be disappointed! I LOVE IT!

Very good book. Very well written. A must read

Very informative- Easy to read and relate to- The Rev not only give a synopsis of his humbling beginnings but challenges his readers consciousness to the struggles of Black Americans.

No one says or gets to the “down to” like Rev Al.

Rev. Al combines a memoir with a call to action for everyone relative to the major problems of our times. An important read.

these book mention incident that happen that I now it easy ready and not to long.

This book is worth it! Al Sharpton moved me to tears with this piece!

I love it

Enjoying reading the book.

Recommended to friends and family who are likely to think that they would not enjoy or better yet learn something of value from Rev. Sharpton Stan Botts

Great reading

DOES NOT WORK. GET ERROR MESSAGES ON ALL DRVICES. Zero star if I could.

Good

I’m grateful for the insight of the great Civil Rights leader, Reverend Al Sharpton.

Easy read learned a lot

Book was well written