New Version of Bible Targets African-American Teens, Includes 'Negro National Anthem' Lyrics on First Page of Addendum

Zondervan releases new Bible aimed at African American teens. Comes with lyrics of "The National Negro Anthem" on first page of addendum.

Must everything be about race in this country? A new version of the Bible is being touted as a way of helping African American teens gain a better understanding of religion. The Bible published by Zondervan as “Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens” claims it will try to answer the difficult questions kids have, according to TheGrio.com. It is being sold on Amazon for $20.15. The Bible has a 100-page addendum and starts off with a full page consisting of the lyrics to “The Negro National Anthem.” Excuse me for being cynical, but what if they came out with a "Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for White Teens?" Many people would yell racism in a heartbeat.

Co-author Wade Hudson says it’s aimed at helping readers who may believe that questioning statements like “God is able,” can mean one is “un-Christian.” Hudson’s company, Just Us Books, and Zondervan Publishng House partnered up on the book.

“We came up with the concept and idea because we feel that often in our churches we tend to miss young people,” Hudson, president and CEO of Just Us Books, told TheGrio.com. “They’re not getting the necessary information about the tenets of faith.”

Hudson — whose wife, Cheryl Willis Hudson, worked with him on the book — added, “Some Sunday School teachers are doing a wonderful job, but so many of our young people don’t even go to church. So we developed some concepts to engage them, interest them and motivate them to learn more about God’s words.” Source: NY Daily News

The reality is that the Bible was not targeted for a specific race, though some in the Ku Klux Klan during the fight for Civil Rights thought so. Still, the passages in the Bible should not be interpreted through the lens of race, but by one's person needs.