This book provides a narrative historical; postcolonial account of African American religions. It examines the intersection of Black religion and colonialism over several centuries to explain the relationship between empire and democratic freedom. Rather than treating freedom and its others (colonialism; slavery; and racism) as opposites; Sylvester A. Johnson interprets multiple periods of Black religious history to discern how Atlantic empires (particularly that of the United States) simultaneously enabled the emergence of particular forms of religious experience and freedom movements as well as disturbing patterns of violent domination. Johnson explains theories of matter and spirit that shaped early indigenous religious movements in Africa; Black political religion responding to the American racial state; the creation of Liberia; and FBI repression of Black religious movements in the twentieth century. By combining historical methods with theoretical analysis; Johnson explains the seeming contradictions that have shaped Black religions in the modern era.
#388837 in Books 2002-06-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x 1.34 x 5.98l; 1.84 #File Name: 0521010799600 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic if you happen to be interested in the topic.By elizaThis book is not light reading; and not meant for anyone who is not a serious student of the industrial revolution in England; Atlantic history; or the origins of the current world economy. It is extremely comprehensive; with a detailed and balanced overview of the literature on the subject; carefully built arguments; and minutely examined evidence. Also; and perhaps most appealingly; the author is completely unafraid to state explicitly when he is not covering a subject - he lets the reader know what he is not going to explore and why; so he can get on with the things he does want to cover without any loose ends. It is primarily a work of academic history; but does not ignore socio-cultural factors as is often the case. I find the writing style to be engaging and easy - relatively; in the context of academic works on economic history - to read.
