"same kind of different as me." is a New York Times bestseller and a true story. The story is written in a journal style, narrators alternating each chapter as they reflect and tell how the story unfolded on their end. The book follows the story of Ron Hall, a white, affluent art dealer from Ft. Worth, Texas and Denver Moore, a poor, black sharecropper from Red River Parish, Louisiana. I'll admit, as I began reading, I dreaded it a little. I was, in a way, distressed, that I would be reading a story where the rich, white, "Christian" came to the rescue of the helpless poor black man.
Not so.
The story reveals a world in which 20th century slavery exists in the U.S. only disguised by the title "sharecropping." Poor black families spend their lives living on credit and in turn, pick cotton in order to repay their debt to their creditor. No pay check- only a house and meals- provided of course, on credit. Who knew this existed?
More than uncovering social injustices though, this is a powerful story of the Holy Spirit transforming people and places and it's wonderfully encouraging. This is not just a story for people who believe in Jesus Christ, but for anyone who wants to be inspired, or who likes insight on social injustices, poverty, homelessness or spirituality. The book also comes with discussion questions in the back which I really loved because, of course, don't want my brain to turn to mush. And, it made me think about important things. Who doesn't want that?
Another plus-- it's an easy read, so if you're a busy bee, it's the perfect set-up. Most chapters aren't more than 2 pages (most are less than that) and the language is easy. Are you convinced yet?
