The New Humanism

Readers interested in this topic may wish to attend a conference on this subject in Washington, DC on May 16, 2010. New Directions for African American Humanists where Ms. Hutchinson and others will speak. See more at: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/dc/events/african_americans_for_humanism_conference/

Well done, Ms Hutchinson. On a related note, I've always felt that Malcolm X would've joined the ranks of Frederick Douglass, DuBois and other black secular humanists if his life hadn't been snuffed out so early. He certainly had the type of inquisitive, exploring mind that one generally associates with the freethinking community. If only he had had another 10 years or so...

I liked the article a lot,however, I was surprised to see you made no mention of Richard Wright who spoke eloquently about his negative experience's with religion while growing in the racist South as a youth with his family and then later as an adult in his books, Black Power and White Man Listen!, in which he took a critical look at religion and its impact on colonial people's in Africa and Asia. That said I could not agree more with the observations that you make on the religious makeup of our people I do agree with the conclusions of Douglass, DuBois and the other freethinker's that the belief in the god of the Abrahamic faiths has mired us in superstition and "submission to the divine will" of an unproved god. Douglass said it quite well for me that he did not put his hand's together in pray for deliverance from slavery but trusted his feet.

Years ago I wrote "Black and Not Baptist," and touched on the assumptions made by blacks and whites about religion. There was a Maya Angelou joke that said there are "50 million Baptists and three black atheists." There are considerably more than three black atheists. As far as Steve Harvey is concerned, I can only say consider the source. You've named some excellent resources worth considering for informed opinions including Anthony Pinn and Norm Allen. Yes, year after year nearly every poll shows the "over-the-top" religiousity of black folk. I think it is a sad testament to living an unexamined life. I remember my grandmother saying that the selling of Manhattan to Native Americans wasn't nearly as bad as the deal blacks received, we got Jesus and are held back because of it. I marvel at the lack of cognitive dissonance in so many of our so-called intellectuals. No one one talks about Lorraine lorraine Hansberry's sexuality even though Black churches are notoriouly homophobic. No mention is ever made of A. Phillip Randolp's religion, James Balwin's sexuality or, as you said, the writings of Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois. Micheal Eric Dyson and Cornell receive a free ride with their religion. I've alreay written too much. Suffice to say that I agree with you and think until blacks find their way to freethought when it comes to religion, they will continue to be manipulated and humiliated.

That was a wonderful analogy. Many have had to work around religions grasp on their family life. To stay a focused humanist required many days of serious thought as to how to come out of the religious closet. That was worse than being openly gay, because you could be forgiven for that sin. Just to think outside the boxes of religion for many black infidels was a struggle of everything they were taught as children. Females were raised to rear/bear children, to be quiet and obedient, not to make waves or complain. Is that grounds for "revocation" of one's race credentials? Outkast!! My grandmother taught me about these people you spoke of and more, my gratitude is not enough, she literally gave me the tools and books to grow intellectually. For many years I have tried to elevate my own family from the shackles of mental slavery, nothing seems to be working.

Thank you for all your insightful comments and insights (Don B. I've read your work and appreciate its groundbreaking research). I decided to "omit" Wright and Larsen out of space considerations and the desire to incorporate the voices of contemporary AA humanists. To illustrate how controversial this issue still is amongst AAs, one of the local AA newspapers I contribute to was too spineless to publish this piece due to the influence of the black religious lobby/advertisers, etc.

Great article! BTW Ralph Dumain has a listing of links to various web pages dealing with African American atheism. Go to: http://www.autodidactproject.org/guidathe.htm and scroll down to "Black / African-American / African Atheism."

Thanks, Ms. Hutchinson. You've interested me in reading more about the history of African American Humanism. As a gay man, I found your observations on homophobia in relation to African-American religious culture affirming of my own experiences with preachers in my AIDS hospice work.

As always Ms. Hutchinson, you are right on point...on all of your points! I just don't see the majority of African American Christians ever giving the African American Humanist tradition/heritage any kind of due...much less its proper due. To paraphrase and add to Malcolm's cry..."We've been psychologically hoodwinked, bamboozled and led astray". I submit to you, that today we are witnessing the tsunamic effects of the cultural "earthquakes" that shook our ancestors to their spiritual and psychological core over four hundred years ago. Wave after, mindless Steve Harveyesque, wave of African American Christian rhetoric is laying waste to our intellectual shores. How do we fortify what little we have in the way of a Humanist coastline? Can we build a city of reason and rationality and offer Black Christians an alternative to their faith? Or are we just doomed to be embattled castaways? I don't know. Most of the African American Humanists that I've read (you, Ralph D., Norm A., Don B., etc.) are much smarter than myself...perhaps you folks have some ideas. Respectfully yours, Rob H. "The African American Agnostic"

Sikivu, this is brilliant. Now that my excitement has calmed down I can properly comment. I admire your nuance and the multi-layering of your analysis. The integration of African American Male intellectuals with Womanist thinkers like Zora Neale Hurston and Alice Walker is executed seamlessly. These women in particular, are and were often criticized for their bold statements against religion, patriarchy, and sexuality. Their ability to not categorize their gender, ethnicity and sexuality into separate slots is why they were and are often criticized. I too, struggle with this. I feel even in 2010, that the African American community does not want to embrace the idea that one cannot only address their race. The community needs to realize that people like me that are African American Male or Female and Gay are not going to "disappear." Therefore, I cannot just focus on socio-economic and racial oppression but also the; inter and intra oppression of hetero-normative constructs that are re-iterated by Religion...Thank you for this moving piece.

Excellent article.

Sikivu, Just an FYI - there are "religious" traditions that incorporate a humanist ethic and that encourage one to carefully examine life. Consider organizations like the Universal Foundation for Better Living that has existed for more than 30 years, is founded by and made up primarily of Black women and does not promote a blind faith that does not question. The organization is actively developing the next generation of religious scholarship and does not condemn atheism. Prosperously yours, Denise Allen www.themoneypoems.com

Great stuff. I would like to see something simular about Hispanic Humanists and their struggle with Catholicism.

I worked at an HBCU, historically Black College, for over 24 years, I was exposed first hand to much of the dogma of religion in the African American community. I was often amazed at the level of belief that was present in that community, and how openly and dogmatically they professed their beliefs. I had one employee who, after hours, went around and sprinkled holy oils on the keyboards of all those in the office she felt were not "true believers" causing thousands of dollars of damage to our system. She did not see anything wrong with her behavior, she was, as she stated, "simply trying to save the souls of the unbelievers."