The Anarchy of Black Religion: A Mystic Song

J. Kameron Carter's book "The Anarchy of Black Religion" explores the philosophical, theological, and religious history of black religion and its role in settler colonial racial technologies. He calls for a black study of religion that emphasizes improvisation, non-exclusionary belonging, and alternative visions of matter to counter capitalisms extractive, individualistic, and imperialist ideology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "The Anarchy of Black Religion," J. Kameron Carter delves into the profound philosophical, theological, and religious roots that shape our contemporary world. By drawing upon the rich traditions of black radicalism and black feminism, Carter offers a fresh perspective on understanding religion. Through his exploration, he reveals how the modern invention of religion has played a central role in settler colonial racial technologies, where antiblackness serves as a fundamental and guiding religious principle. Consequently, Carter distinguishes black religion from its mainstream counterparts, recognizing its unique position while also acknowledging its attempts to incorporate and confine it. This innovative approach, coined as the "black study of religion," unveils black religion as a collection of poetic and artistic strategies for improvisational living and communal gatherings. It fosters a sense of non-exclusionary belonging, challenging the dominant ideologies of capitalism's extractive, individualistic, and imperialist nature. Black religion, characterized by its anarchic, mystical, and experimental nature, unveils alternative relationalities and visions of matter that offer a counterbalance to the prevailing ideologies. By engaging in a black study of religion, Carter not only sheds light on the violence inherent in religion but also opens up a transformative praxis of the sacred. This profound work contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between religion, race, and modern life, offering a roadmap for a more inclusive and equitable world.

Weight: 435g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478020042