A Bold Voice Emerges with a Necessary Truth
More than just a book, Built On Lies is a seismic call to reckon with the roots of racism, the systemic dehumanization of Black communities, and the institutions that enabled it. In a pre-launch glimpse into the pages, readers are met with a powerful examination of the foundational lies upon which much of American and European society rests.
Art Ripley, with unfiltered precision, delivers a long overdue history lesson—and one that refuses to be ignored.
Dismantling the Myth of Equality
Opening with the iconic line from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” Art Ripley exposes it not as a declaration of freedom, but as the first national deception. He confronts the glaring hypocrisy of the Founding Fathers—many of whom were slaveholders—questioning how the architects of liberty could simultaneously build a nation on the backs of enslaved people.
This contradiction, Art Ripley argues, is not a relic of the past but a lie that continues to shape the lives of Americans today.
The Catholic Church and the Machinery of Slavery
One of the most striking revelations of the book is Art Ripley's focus on the role of the Catholic Church in institutionalizing slavery. He traces the origins of the transatlantic slave trade back to 15th-century Papal Bulls, particularly Dum Diversas (1452) and Romanus Pontifex (1455), which granted Christian nations the divine right to conquer, enslave, and subjugate non-Christians.
Art Ripley doesn’t shy away from naming names—Pope Nicholas V, Columbus, Queen Isabella—and connecting them directly to centuries of generational trauma. His argument is clear: the Church’s endorsement of these atrocities was not just spiritual manipulation, but an economic enterprise that created wealth off human suffering.
Racism: America’s Incurable Cancer
Beyond historical documentation, Art Ripley uses Built On Lies as a mirror to contemporary America. Racism, he posits, is not a passive consequence but a deliberate design. He links the past to the present—January 6th, police brutality, voter suppression, and educational censorship—highlighting how deeply racial hierarchies are embedded in American systems.
Art Ripley refers to racism as “the cancer of the United States,” a disease that festers when left unaddressed. He issues a direct challenge to readers, politicians, and citizens: confront the truth or watch democracy crumble under the weight of its own hypocrisy.
Reparations and Collective Accountability
Perhaps the most radical and yet necessary argument Art Ripley makes is his call for reparations—not just for descendants of enslaved Africans, but also for the poor white indentured servants who were similarly manipulated and discarded by the system. This dual perspective repositions the conversation around unity, not division.
The book urges the creation of public forums, open tribunals, and national discussions that do not shy away from the ugly truths of history. Art Ripley doesn’t advocate for vengeance, but for reconciliation rooted in honesty.
Why This Book Matters Now
As censorship rises in educational institutions and debates around critical race theory rage on, Built On Lies is a literary form of resistance. Art Ripley defends the right to historical truth, especially in an era where facts are often spun to fit political narratives.
This isn’t just a book about history—it’s a warning. It’s also a roadmap for those willing to listen.
A Book That Demands to Be Heard
Built On Lies by Arthur B. Ripley is not a gentle read—but that is precisely its power. It strips away comforting myths to expose the painful reality beneath. Art Ripley’s voice is urgent, unapologetic, and impassioned, weaving together scholarship, personal reflection, and spiritual reckoning.
As the pre-launch buzz builds, it is clear this book will be more than a publication—it will be a movement. For those courageous enough to confront America's foundational sins, Built On Lies offers both truth and a path toward healing.
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