The Burden of Black Religion

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Reference, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book The Burden of Black Religion by Curtis J. Evans, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Curtis J. Evans ISBN: 9780199886920
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 17, 2008
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Curtis J. Evans
ISBN: 9780199886920
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 17, 2008
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Religion has always been a focal element in the long and tortured history of American ideas about race. In The Burden of Black Religion, Curtis Evans traces ideas about African American religion from the antebellum period to the middle of the twentieth century. Central to the story, he argues, was the deep-rooted notion that blacks were somehow "naturally" religious. At first, this assumed natural impulse toward religion served as a signal trait of black people's humanity -- potentially their unique contribution to American culture. Abolitionists seized on this point, linking black religion to the black capacity for freedom. Soon, however, these first halting steps toward a multiracial democracy were reversed. As Americans began to value reason, rationality, and science over religious piety, the idea of an innate black religiosity was used to justify preserving the inequalities of the status quo. Later, social scientists -- both black and white -- sought to reverse the damage caused by these racist ideas and in the process proved that blacks were in fact fully capable of incorporation into white American culture. This important work reveals how interpretations of black religion played a crucial role in shaping broader views of African Americans and had real consequences in their lives. In the process, Evans offers an intellectual and cultural history of race in a crucial period of American history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Religion has always been a focal element in the long and tortured history of American ideas about race. In The Burden of Black Religion, Curtis Evans traces ideas about African American religion from the antebellum period to the middle of the twentieth century. Central to the story, he argues, was the deep-rooted notion that blacks were somehow "naturally" religious. At first, this assumed natural impulse toward religion served as a signal trait of black people's humanity -- potentially their unique contribution to American culture. Abolitionists seized on this point, linking black religion to the black capacity for freedom. Soon, however, these first halting steps toward a multiracial democracy were reversed. As Americans began to value reason, rationality, and science over religious piety, the idea of an innate black religiosity was used to justify preserving the inequalities of the status quo. Later, social scientists -- both black and white -- sought to reverse the damage caused by these racist ideas and in the process proved that blacks were in fact fully capable of incorporation into white American culture. This important work reveals how interpretations of black religion played a crucial role in shaping broader views of African Americans and had real consequences in their lives. In the process, Evans offers an intellectual and cultural history of race in a crucial period of American history.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Developing Cross-Cultural Measurement by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Pain: Dynamics and Complexities by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book The Emergence of Sin by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Approaches to Ethnography by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Health by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Lottery Winner - With Audio Level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book The Populist Vision by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Unfinished Work by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book After Redemption by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Benjamin Franklin and the Ends of Empire by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Between Dignity and Despair by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Congress and the Media by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book The Great War And Modern Memory by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Fridays of Rage by Curtis J. Evans
Cover of the book Vernacular Languages and Dialects: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Curtis J. Evans
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy