Roots, Religion and Resistance: Unpacking the Spectrum of Black Nationalist Movements

Dear Colleagues,

The MDPI journal Religions is pleased to invite submissions for a forthcoming Special Issue dedicated to examining Black religious identity movements. This issue will offer a comprehensive exploration of the diverse spectrum of nationalist movements within the African diaspora, including Pan-Africanism, Garveyism, Rastafarianism, Black Hebrew Israelites, the Nation of Islam, and Hoteps, among others. Our objective is to dissect and understand the intricate relationships between religion, self-identity, black resistance, and the aspiration for transformative futures as envisioned by these movements.

We seek original research that provides a deep dive into the historical origins, religious underpinnings, and evolution of these movements. Contributions may address a variety of themes such as the unique histories and motivations behind each movement; the ways in which they have shaped religious, cultural, and personal identities; their political endeavors and influence; and their impact on gender and sexual identities. Furthermore, we encourage papers that discuss concepts of resistance, social nonconformity, the reframing of black worldviews, the pursuit of societal fulfillment, and the crafting of redemptive narratives in the context of Black struggle. We also welcome scholarly discourse on the potential directions that these movements might take in constructing innovative and radical futures for Black communities.

This Special Issue aims to serve as an interdisciplinary platform for scholars and practitioners to engage with these vital topics, fostering a richer understanding of the role of Black religious nationalist movements in shaping the social and cultural landscapes of the past, present, and future.

Expanded Themes and Topics:

1. Historical Overview and Motivations: tracing the roots and evolution of these movements, emphasizing their responses to historical and contemporary forms of oppression and marginalization.
2. Religious and Spiritual Dimensions: delving into the religious doctrines, spiritual practices, and theological frameworks that underpin these movements, exploring how they offer alternative religious and spiritual paths for black communities.
3. Identity and Cultural Expressions: examining how these movements contribute to the formation of individual and collective identities, and the role of cultural expressions in manifesting and sustaining these identities.
4. Black Nationalist Ideals and Resistance: analyzing how these movements articulate and advance the cause of Black nationalism, focusing on their strategies and philosophies of resistance against systemic injustices.
5. Social Non-Conformism and Black Social Fulfillment: investigating the ways these movements challenge mainstream societal norms and promote a unique sense of social fulfillment within black communities.
6. Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality: addressing the intersections of gender, sexuality, and other identities within these movements, and their implications for inclusivity and diversity.
7. Reshaping the Black Worldview: exploring how these movements contribute to redefining and reshaping the global black worldview, influencing perceptions, attitudes, and understandings within and outside the black community.
8. Redemptive Narratives and the Black Struggle: understanding how these movements place the black struggle within a redemptive framework, offering narratives of hope, liberation, and spiritual salvation.
9. Political Implications and Activism: examining the political stance, activism, and social impact of these movements, as well as their role in addressing issues of racial inequality, social justice, and political empowerment.
10. Visioning a Radical Future: discussing the forward-looking aspects of these movements, their visions for a radical new future for black communities, and their impact on broader societal change.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, or to the Assistant Editor Loretta Chen ([email protected]) of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Kevin Burrell
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Pan-Africanism
• diaspora
• black religions
• black nationalism
• Garvey
• Rastafarianism
• black identity
• Black Hebrew Israelites
• black resistance movements