Esau McCaulley's memoir, "How Far to the Promised Land," delves into his personal journey of faith, shaped by experiences of family trauma, racism, and poverty. The book explores his complex relationship with his father, who struggled with addiction, and how this impacted his understanding of God and suffering. McCaulley reflects on the challenges of reconciling his faith with his lived experiences, offering a powerful and honest account of his spiritual growth. He challenges traditional narratives of faith, highlighting the importance of racial identity and personal experiences in shaping one's relationship with God. The book resonates with readers seeking to understand the intersection of faith and personal struggles.
This is our unabridged interview with Esau McCaulley.
What is it like growing up Black in the American South?
The question is too particular to answer with abstraction. Instead, Esau McCaulley answers it in the most personal, humble way available, by telling the story of his family in his new memoir, “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.”
In this episode, Esau discusses what he uncovered from a season of digging deeply into family and national history, and describes what the experience taught him about race, faith, and the culture of the South in the United States.
Show Notes
Resources mentioned this episode:
“How Far to the Promised” Land by Esau McCaulley
Similar NSE episodes:
The Architect of the American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson
Doing Justice Alongside MLK and Rosa Parks: Dr. Fred Gray
Eddie Glaude: On James Baldwin’s America
Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: Eugene Cho
White Too Long: Robert Jones
PDF of Lee's Interview Notes
Transcript of Abridged Interview
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