Banning Black Gods: Law and Religions of the African Diaspora

In her book "Banning Black Gods", Danielle N. Boaz explores the legal challenges faced by adherents of African-derived religions in the twenty-first century. She argues that restrictions on religious freedom constitute a unique form of anti-Black discrimination and highlights issues such as violence against devotees, restrictions on ritual slaughter, and judicial refusals to recognize these faiths as protected religions. The book brings together controversies that have not been previously regarded as analogous, framing these issues in comparative perspective and focusing on transnational and transregional issues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

The book "Banning Black Gods" delves into a comprehensive examination of the legal challenges faced by adherents of the most widely practiced African-derived religions in the twenty-first century. It explores the diverse practices of Santeria/Lucumi, Haitian Vodou, Candomblé, Palo Mayombe, Umbanda, Islam, Rastafari, Obeah, and Voodoo, highlighting their historical significance and cultural importance.

Through a meticulous analysis of court cases, laws, human rights reports, and related materials, Danielle N. Boaz makes a compelling argument that restrictions on African diaspora religious freedom constitute a unique and pervasive form of anti-Black discrimination. She emphasizes that these challenges are not a new phenomenon but rather a reemergence of colonial-era ideologies and patterns of racially motivated persecution.

Each chapter in the book focuses on a specific challenge to Black religious freedom, providing a deep understanding of the issues at hand. Boaz examines topics such as violence against devotees, restrictions on the ritual slaughter of animals, limitations on parental custodial rights, and judicial refusals to recognize these faiths as protected religions. She also introduces new issues that have never been considered as a question of religious freedom before, such as the right of Palo Mayombe devotees to possess remains of the dead and the controversies surrounding the right to wear headscarves and dreadlocks in schools.

By framing these issues in comparative perspective and addressing transnational and transregional concerns, Boaz advances our understanding of the broader human rights disputes that country-specific studies may overlook. The book is original and compelling, offering valuable insights to students and scholars of African diaspora religions, as well as discerning readers interested in learning more about the history of racial discrimination.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 158 x 238 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271089300