The Crooked Places Made Straight: Reflections on the Moral Meaning of America

Georgia senator Warnock (A Way Out of No Way) lays out a persuasive Christian case for reforming an America divided by cynicism, inequality, and disconnection. He finds the antidote in the biblical book of Isaiah, where God assures the exiled people of Israel that “every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth”—a “bold reimagining,” in Warnock’s view, of a more equitable society. He applies this philosophy to six of America’s most pressing issues, including mass incarceration, which perpetuates profound racial and financial inequality, and, according to the author, should be reformed with initiatives that enable “the uplift of all citizens” and laws like 2018’s First Step Act, which improved prison conditions and implemented fairer sentencing practices. Also considered is the epidemic of gun violence, which Warnock argues must be tackled with federal background checks and laws limiting the power of the gun lobby, a system of “legalized bribery” that blocks commonsense reforms supported by most Americans. While there’s not much here in the way of actionable steps for readers to take, Warnock’s view of the current state of the country is both clear-eyed and refreshingly optimistic. It’s a clarion call for a fairer America that speaks to the urgency of the moment. (June)