Session 1: The Suppression of African Diaspora Religions (Full session)

Throughout American history, African diaspora religions have been misunderstood, disparaged, and criminalized by government actors and the public. In this session, learn how legal restrictions have both stifled and shaped African diaspora religions in the U.S., from 19th Century “Voodoo” in New Orleans to 20th Century Lucumí in Florida.

Speakers:
Dr. Danielle N. Boaz, Associate Professor of Africana Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dr. Kodi Roberts, Associate Professor of History, Louisiana State University

This is Session 1 of the Black Religious Liberty Curriculum (BRLC), a 12-part video series of conversations on the intersection of race, religion, and the law, featuring law professors, historians, theologians, religious studies scholars, activists, and preachers. The curriculum was created by Columbia Law School’s Law, Rights, and Religion Project with support from the Columbia Institute for Religion, Culture, and Public Life and the Proteus Fund’s Rights, Faith, and Democracy Collaborative. Video editing by ANKOSfilms.

Watch the rest of the curriculum series, at LawRightsReligion.org/our-work/brlc