Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio

In the late 1960s, Latino radicals occupied churches in urban America to protest against urban renewal, poverty, police brutality, and racism. Apostles of Change by Felipe Hinojosa explores how these occupations transformed churches and the broader Latino freedom movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2022
Publisher: University of Texas Press

In the late 1960s, the American city faced a severe decline, driven by federal policies that caused destruction and displacement among poor and working-class families. This urban crisis encompassed religious institutions, which were also undergoing significant transformations, debating whether to stay in the city or relocate to the suburbs. Against the backdrop of the Black and Brown Power movements, which challenged economic inequality and white supremacy, young Latino radicals began occupying churches and disrupting services to compel church communities to join their protests against urban renewal, poverty, police brutality, and racism.

Apostles of Change, written by Felipe Hinojosa, delves into the story of these occupations and provides context within the urban crisis. It explores the tensions these actions created and articulates the activists' bold and innovative vision for the church and the world. Through case studies from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Houston, Hinojosa demonstrates how Latino freedom movements often blurred the boundaries between faith and politics. He argues that understanding the history of these radical politics is crucial in comprehending the dynamic changes in Latino religious groups from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.

This book offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between Latino radicalism and religion in urban America during a pivotal period of social and political change. It sheds light on the strategies employed by Latino activists to challenge systemic oppression and advocate for their communities' rights. It also highlights the role of religious institutions in shaping these movements and the challenges they faced in navigating the intersection of faith and politics. By examining the experiences of Latino radicals and their interactions with church communities, Apostles of Change contributes to our understanding of the broader history of social movements and the role of religion in shaping American society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477321997