Freedom of religion did not come easily to Cuba or Puerto Rico. Only after the arrival of American troops during the Spanish-American War were non-Catholics permitted to practice their religions openly and to proselytize. When government efforts to ensure freedom of worship began; reformers on both islands rejoiced; believing that an era of regeneration and modernization was upon them. But as new laws went into effect; critics voiced their dismay at the rise of popular religions. Reinaldo L. Roman explores the changing relationship between regulators and practitioners in neocolonial Cuba and Puerto Rico.Spiritism; Santeria; and other African-derived traditions were typically characterized in sensational fashion by the popular press as "a plague of superstition." Examining seven episodes between 1898 and the Cuban Revolution when the public demanded official actions against "misbelief;" Roman finds that when outbreaks of superstition were debated; matters of citizenship were usually at stake. He links the circulation of spectacular charges of witchcraft and miracle-making to anxieties surrounding newly expanded citizenries that included people of color. Governing Spirits also contributes to the understanding of vernacular religions by moving beyond questions of national or traditional origins to illuminate how boundaries among hybrid practices evolved in a process of historical contingencies.
#283432 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1996-02-26Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.75 x 6.75 x 1.75l; #File Name: 0807822388592 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Loving "Southern slavery and the Law"By lamarr BrownAbsolutely wonderful and informative about the slave trade in the South and how 'special laws' were implemented only against the African slaves and in an inhumane manner.2 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Would have preferred a different layout of the material + there were some "vibes" to the authors style of writing I didn't likeBy Celestehmm it's okay; not really what I expected; but the info is pretty good in terms of digging out laws (haven't dug all the way into it though). I was looking more for a simple layout with just straight laws in chronological order; by state and type of law etc. It reads more like an essay; has a bit of a "there are good white people" vibe to it. Seems to subtly interweave "sympathy and understanding" in regards to White slave masters who he seems to think were "struggling." It also has a "not all enslavement sites were as bad" vibe to it. Just a vibe I get when coursing through some of the material. It doesn't surprise me; but it's irritating. "Interpretational sentiment" is certainly present; one of the reasons I don't always like reading books dealing with slavery by Whites. There's always a "sympathetic/excusable" bend to it. And always check their sources...alwaysIt's one thing to want to shed light on regional differences within the system of slavery in this country; it's another to slyly excuse it/defend it because there was a lesser emphasis on certain kinds of labor. I also detest how many White authors liken "White indentured servants" to "Blacks who were enslaved"; racial oppression is not the same as indentured servitude; just because there were similarities; the overall picture and experiences are not the same; never have been and never will be. This is a simple attempt to lift some of the culpability; this is very common amongst Whites when they talk about slavery.Also; the idea surrounding "societies with slaves" vs 'Slave societies" while it's logical/makes sense on a technical point; it's another way to lessen the impact of slavery and shake off guilt. While the categorization of "societies with slaves" doesn't depend on the institution of slavery to control that region; its power; or resources etc; whatever central role slavery does play within a particular field has had an overall impact on the WHOLE of the White American society and contributed to the foundation of White American capitalism and White American societal/racial domination. There would be no capitalism; no America; and in truth no modern world without the exploitation of African resources; African labor and the exploitation and oppression of its people. Take for instance; Ironwork; while not a commodity that held massive structural control of a region like Pennsylvania (Northeastern state); iron was a major player in developing the iron industry of America. So while ironwork did not shape the whole of Pennsylvania and other areas; it d**n sure shaped the iron industry and America as a whole/its makeup. By 1775 American colonies were THIRD in producing iron on an international scale!!For Black people; I recommend; just be careful when reading anything written by Whites; I'm just being real. I do recommend another book as well; written by someone White; but he too engages in some of the tactics; but it's a little more objective imo. Be careful as he starts a chapter off with "Atlantic Creoles" aka Mixed Blacks or biracial Blacks (whom I have no issues with so long as you are TRUE); where he's almost a bit deceiving in how he writes it because what you're not being told is that many of these "Atlantic Creoles" or Mixed Blacks/Biracial Blacks were actually the "slave catchers and sellers"; seeds of African women who were raped by White men who then trained these children as buffers to maintain oppression against their own; soooo just be aware. I STRONGLY suggest as someone new waking up to this information to engage yourself/immerse yourself in AFRICAN SCHOLARSHIP FIRST regarding our history. Understand the complex nature of African societies first because if you don't you'll end up falling for White authorship that tries to equate African societies to Eurasian based concepts of society; which includes the practice of slavery; the word slavery itself and the connotation of slavery. You have to begin to look at our history from our perspectives first and then you can see the tactics they use.Here are a few books I recommend: I recommend all of Dr. John Henrik Clarke's books. As you check these books out; other recommendations will pop upChristopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust: Slavery and the Rise of European CapitalismDestruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D.Kebuka!Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Tammy WolfeVery good information!
