“American exceptionalism embraces a work-centered soteriology, believing that the United States of American has earned a special status before God, attaining favor through her exceptional actions. This assumption stands in stark contrast to the humility and dependence on God revealed in the book of Lamentations.” American ExceptionalismLamentations Book:Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times Source: Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times
“We cannot "solve" the problem of race in America while ignoring our deep and painful history. Our tendency to ignore our tainted history may arise from a warped self-perception. We do not need to deal with our tainted past because we have risen above that problematic history and moved to a postracial, colorblind America. An assumed exceptionalism belies the belief that we do not have to deal with our history because through our exceptional status we have overcome the past. The destruction of black bodes and black minds can be justified because their sacrifice helped to build our exceptional nation.” RacismAmerican Exceptionalism Author:Soong-Chan Rah