The Justice Briefing with Dr. Jemar Tisby

Dr. Jemar Tisby
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The Justice Briefing is your weekly guide to understanding current events through a historically grounded, theologically rooted, justice-centered lens. Instead of framing the world through fear or culture-war panic, we draw from the spirit of justice—from the biblical prophets to the Civil Rights Movement. This isn't just commentary; it’s discipleship for truth and justice.

  1. 2d ago

    How the Supreme Court Is Rigging the Midterm Elections

    In this urgent episode of The Justice Briefing, Dr. Jemar Tisby breaks down the Supreme Court's latest ruling in Allen v. Milligan--a decision that allows Alabama to eliminate one of its only two majority-Black congressional districts just months before the 2026 midterm elections and while primaries are already underway. Drawing on his training as a historian and his recent trip to Selma to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Dr. Tisby explains how the Court's selective application of the Purcell Principle exposes a legal system being weaponized to dilute Black political power rather than protect it. He traces the historical roots of Black voting patterns from Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Movement to make the case that Black voters aren't loyal to a party--they're loyal to their survival. Dr. Tisby also examines the Congressional Black Caucus's pointed letter to Corporate America, holding hundreds of major corporations accountable to voting rights commitments they made publicly in 2021--and demanding they prove those words still mean something before a June 9th deadline. From the courtroom to the boardroom, Dr. Tisby asks the question that drives the entire episode: do you care? In This Episode The Supreme Court's ruling in Allen v. Milligan and what it means for Black congressional representation in AlabamaWhat the Purcell Principle is, where it comes from, and why the Court is applying it selectivelyHow the Louisiana v. Callais decision gutted the Voting Rights Act and opened the door to rapid redistricting across the SouthWhy Republicans stand to gain up to 15 additional House seats through redistricting — and what's at stake in the 2026 midtermsThe historical roots of Black voting patterns, from Reconstruction and the New Deal to LBJ's Civil Rights ActGovernor Kay Ivey's response to the ruling — and what the language of "states' rights" has always meant in the context of Black political powerThe Congressional Black Caucus's letter to Corporate America and its June 9th deadline for actionJustice Sotomayor's dissent — and why Dr. Tisby says every justice-minded person should be reading it We have a lack of voices raising the alarm about voting rights in the church. If you think that work is important, you can help make it possible. Become a paid subscriber today. JemarTisby.Substack.com A news report just revealed that children are still being separated from their parents in the immigration crackdown. We must speak up. This film will help you. Host a screening of Jesus Was a Migrant: jesuswasamigrant.com

    46 min

  2. May 30

    The Most Corrupt Senate Nominee in America Just Won

    In this episode of The Justice Briefing, Dr. Jemar Tisby examines the stunning victory of Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate primary and asks what it reveals about the moral state of American politics. Despite years of scandals, impeachment, felony indictments, and allegations of corruption, Paxton not only survived politically—he won decisively. Dr. Tisby explores why voters embraced a candidate with such a record, how loyalty to Donald Trump has eclipsed character as a political qualification, and why this race represents a larger battle over the meaning of Christianity in public life. Contrasting Paxton's vision of faith with that of Democratic nominee James Talarico, Dr. Tisby argues that Texas is becoming a testing ground for two competing religious and political visions: domination versus care, power versus conscience, and white Christian nationalism versus a faith rooted in justice and love. In This EpisodeWhy Ken Paxton's primary victory shocked even seasoned observers of American politicsThe corruption allegations, impeachment, and legal controversies surrounding PaxtonHow loyalty to Donald Trump became more important than character or experienceWhy Paxton's victory signals a deeper shift within the modern Republican PartyThe contrast between Paxton's and James Talarico's competing visions of ChristianityHow white Christian nationalism shapes contemporary political debatesWhy Black Christian political traditions are often overlooked as authentic expressions of faithWhat the Texas Senate race reveals about power, religion, and democracy in America When corruption becomes normal, context becomes essential. To support independent analysis at the intersection of faith, history, and justice that helps make sense of this political moment, become a paid subscriber: JemarTisby.Substack.com Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@jtisby Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jemartisby

    42 min

  3. May 22

    Why Isn't Your Pastor Talking about Voting Rights?

    Episode DescriptionIn this episode of The Justice Briefing, Jemar Tisby confronts a pressing question facing the American church: Why are so many pastors silent about voting rights in this moment? Drawing from his firsthand experience at the “All Roads Lead to the South” march and rally in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, Tisby connects today’s attacks on voting rights to the long struggle for Black political power during the Civil Rights Movement. He reflects on the spiritual weight of marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the legacy of Bloody Sunday, and the urgent need for moral courage from clergy and congregations alike. Tisby also examines the Supreme Court’s recent Voting Rights Act ruling, critiques pastoral silence through the lens of God's Long Summer and Letter from Birmingham Jail, and challenges churches to move beyond “deracinated piety” toward the concrete application of Christian ethics in public life. This episode is both a prophetic critique and a pastoral plea for believers to speak up, organize, and act courageously in what Tisby calls “the civil rights movement of our day.” In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:The “All Roads Lead to the South” march and rally in Selma and MontgomeryWhy voting rights are deeply personal in the Black freedom struggleThe Supreme Court ruling that further weakened the Voting Rights ActHow racial gerrymandering operates under the language of “colorblindness”The silence of many pastors and churches around voting rightsMartin Luther King Jr.’s warning about the “white moderate” from Letter from Birmingham JailThe example of Reverend Douglas Hudgins and church complicity during segregationBiblical models of courage, prophetic witness, and justice in times of crisisWorks ReferencedGod's Long Summer by Charles Marsh"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.Register for The Justice JourneyThe next cohort of The Justice Journey begins June 2nd. This eight-week online course explores the biblical, historical, and practical foundations of justice and faithful public witness. Join a community committed to truth-telling, courage, and action in this critical moment. JemarTisby.Substack.com Support The Justice BriefingIf you value independent analysis at the intersection of faith, history, and justice, support this work by becoming a paid subscriber. JemarTisby.Substack.com

    57 min

  4. May 8

    The Anti-Christian Bias Task Force and Christian Privilege

    The Trump Administration has released a massive new report from its “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias,” arguing that conservative Christians were targeted by the federal government under President Biden. The report frames conflicts over abortion, LGBTQ rights, education, COVID policies, and workplace protections as evidence of anti-Christian discrimination. In this episode of The Justice Briefing, Dr. Jemar Tisby examines the report’s arguments, historical claims, and political implications. He explores how white Christian nationalism uses grievance politics, why some Christians conflate losing cultural dominance with losing religious freedom, and what happens when Christianity becomes closely aligned with state power. This episode also asks a deeper question: What kind of faith are we cultivating if Christianity requires political dominance to feel secure? In this episode, you’ll hear about:Trump’s “Anti-Christian Bias Task Force” and Executive Order 14202Why the report focuses heavily on abortion, gender, and sexualityThe difference between religious freedom and religious privilegeHow grievance politics fuels white Christian nationalismWhy “Christian America” rhetoric pushes certain groups to the marginsThe relationship between Christianity and state power throughout historyHow pluralism gets reframed as hostility toward ChristianityWhy true faith does not depend on cultural dominance to survive Join The Justice Journey Waitlist Subscribe to Dr. Jemar's YouTube page. If you value historically grounded analysis on faith, politics, and justice, support The Justice Briefing by becoming a paid subscriber at JemarTisby.Substack.com.

    45 min

  5. May 1

    The Supreme Court and the Slow Death of the Voting Rights Act

    Conservatives on the Supreme Court dealt what amounts to a “death blow” to the Voting Rights Act. But you don’t have to be a legal scholar to understand what really matters here. The effect is to dilute the voting power of Black people and other people of color who tend to vote Democratic.  But the entire decision rests on a faulty understanding of racism and how to address it. This assumption has a name: colorblindness. It is not a virtue. If race caused the inequality, then race must be named in order to create equity.  In this episode you’ll hear about…What the Supreme Court just did to the Voting Rights Act and why some are calling it a “death blow”How shifting from discriminatory impact to intent makes voting rights cases nearly impossible to winWhy this decision could dilute Black voting power while appearing race-neutralThe long history of voting rights—from Dred Scott v. Sandford to the Fifteenth Amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965How racism adapts over time and why “race-neutral” laws can still produce unequal outcomesThe flawed logic of colorblindness and why ignoring race doesn’t solve racial inequalityWhy many churches are ill-equipped to respond to this moment—and how that happenedPractical ways to mobilize, dissent, and take action—from local engagement to national advocacy The best way to support The Justice Briefing is to become a paid subscriber: JemarTisby.Substack.com Book a screening of our short documentary: Jesus Was a Migrant

    1h 12m

  6. Apr 24

    Doug Wilson and the Danger We Tried to Warn You About

    In this episode of The Justice Briefing, Jemar Tisby examines the recent spotlight on Douglas Wilson—and why his influence is not new, just newly visible. For years, Black Christians and other truth-tellers warned about Wilson’s theology, his views on race and gender, and his vision for a theocratic society. Those warnings were largely ignored. Now, as his ideas gain wider attention, the consequences are becoming harder to dismiss. Tisby explores who Douglas Wilson is, how his influence spread through evangelical institutions, and what this moment reveals about the church’s failure to heed earlier warnings. This episode is a call to discernment, accountability, and a renewed commitment to protecting the vulnerable. Summary article on Church Leaders Sons of Patriarchy The Justice Briefing is completely independently produced and powered by listeners like you. Become a paid subscriber: JemarTisby.Substack.com

    1 hr

  7. Apr 16

    Stop Trying to Persuade White Christian Nationalists

    In this episode of The Justice Briefing, Dr. Jemar Tisby makes a clear and urgent case: stop trying to persuade white Christian nationalists. After nearly a decade of hardened political and theological divisions, the question is no longer who is confused—it’s what we do with the clarity we now have. Drawing on history, current events, and a powerful re-reading of Mark 6, this episode reframes faithfulness not as endless argument, but as discernment, boundaries, and strategic action. If you’ve felt drained by unproductive debates, this conversation will help you reclaim your time—and your mission. In this episode: Why this is a moment of moral clarity, not confusionThe limits of persuasion in polarized media ecosystemsThe anatomy of white Christian nationalismHow the church has weaponized “unity”A biblical case for setting boundaries (Mark 6)Why Jesus instructs his followers to move onWhere to invest your energy for real impactStudy cited in episode: "When Fox News viewers flip to CNN, their opinions shift too, study finds"  https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/04/07/when-fox-news-viewers-flip-to-cnn-their-opinions-shift-too-study-finds/ Book your screening of our short documentary "Jesus Was a Migrant": jesuswasamigrant.com The best way to support The Justice Briefing and our indie film studio, Tisby Studios, is by becoming a paid subscriber: JemarTisby.Substack.com

    52 min

  8. Apr 10

    The Birth of a New Kind of Christian Film Studio

    People keep asking me, “How did it go?” And I understand the question. But there’s actually a better question. The better question is, “What did last night signal?” What happened last night was more than just a sold-out film premiere. It was a signal. A shift. A glimpse of what the future of Christian storytelling could be. This film is the first official production of Tisby Studios. It’s proof that there is an audience for what I call Transformational faith films—stories that don’t just resolve tension, but channel it into action. This is not a one-off project. It’s the beginning of a pipeline. Take Action If this reflection with you—if it challenged you, unsettled you, or stayed with you—here are a few ways to take the next step: 1. Become a paid subscriber Most of the support for this film came from this community. If you want to see more projects like this—films that tell honest stories about faith, history, and justice—become a paid subscriber to Footnotes. Or upgrade to our FOUNDING TIER. That’s how we keep building. 👉🏾 JemarTisby.Substack.com 2. Host a screening in your community This film is meant to be experienced together. Not alone on a screen, but in a room where people can turn to one another at the end and ask: “What are we going to do?” If you want to bring Jesus Was a Migrant to your church, school, or organization, start here: 👉🏾 jesuswasamigrant.com 3. Share this post If this vision resonates with you, share it. This is how movements grow—person to person, room to room. If last night showed us anything, it’s this: The future of Christian storytelling won’t be safe, simple, or sentimental—it will be truthful, communal, and transformational. And the question now isn’t what we watched. It’s: What are we going to do next? P.S. Mark your calendar for a LIVE ONLINE SCREENING of Jesus Was a Migrant. April 16, 7:30 pm ET. (registration details forthcoming) Book a screening: JesusWasAMigrant.com Support transformational faith films: JemarTisby.Substack.com

    22 min
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About

The Justice Briefing is your weekly guide to understanding current events through a historically grounded, theologically rooted, justice-centered lens. Instead of framing the world through fear or culture-war panic, we draw from the spirit of justice—from the biblical prophets to the Civil Rights Movement. This isn't just commentary; it’s discipleship for truth and justice.

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