Smart Suits, Tattered Boots: Black Ministers Mobilizing the Black Church in the Twenty-First Century

Black religious leaders have historically played a significant role in the civil rights movement, but there is limited mass mobilization led by them against systemic racism and racial inequality in the twenty-first century. This book explores the reasons for this, including a move away from engagement with independent Black-led civic groups toward white-controlled faith-based organizations, nostalgia for the civil rights movement, challenges of organizing around race-based oppression in a post-racial world, and the hierarchical structure of the Black religious leadership network.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The complex role of Black religious leaders in twenty-first-century racial justice efforts is explored in this book. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his Black religious contemporaries played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century, advocating for freedom and leading to significant legislative changes. However, there is a relative lack of mass mobilization led by Black religious leaders in contemporary civil rights movements, such as Black Lives Matter.

To investigate this issue, Korie Litte Edwards and Michelle Oyakawa conducted fifty-four in-depth interviews with Black religious leaders and civic leaders in Ohio. They uncovered several reasons for the limited engagement of Black religious leaders in modern civil rights movements. One significant factor is the shift away from engagement with independent Black-led civic groups toward white-controlled faith-based organizations. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including a desire for collaboration and access to resources, as well as a nostalgia for and personal connections to the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Religious leaders may also face challenges in organizing around race-based oppression in an allegedly post-racial world. The perception that racial issues have been resolved can lead to a sense of complacency and a reluctance to confront systemic racism. Additionally, the hierarchical structure of the Black religious leadership network can impede ministers' work towards collective activism, as individual leaders may prioritize their own interests or align themselves with established power structures.

Despite these challenges, Black clergy continue to care deeply about social justice and racial oppression. This book offers valuable insights into how they approach these issues today, shedding light on the social processes that influence their participation in civic action. It reveals the structure and limitations of the Black religious-leader community and its capacity for broad-based mobilization in the post-civil rights era.

The findings of this book have important implications for understanding the role of religion in social movements and for promoting greater engagement of Black religious leaders in contemporary civil rights efforts. It highlights the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between religious leaders and civic organizations, as well as the importance of addressing systemic racism and inequality in all aspects of society.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive exploration of the complex role of Black religious leaders in twenty-first-century racial justice efforts. It sheds light on the factors that influence their engagement in civic action and highlights the need for greater collaboration and mobilization to address systemic racism and inequality. By understanding the dynamics of Black religious leadership, we can work towards a more just and equitable society for all.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479812530