Activism and the American Novel: Religion and Resistance in Fiction by Women of Color

by Channette Romero

Since the 1980s, many activists and writers have turned from identity politics toward ethnic religious traditions to rediscover and reinvigorate their historic role in resistance to colonialism and oppression. In her examination of contemporary fiction by women of color―including Toni Morrison, Ana Castillo, Toni Cade Bambara, Louise Erdrich, and Leslie Marmon Silko―Channette Romero considers the way these novels newly engage with Vodun, Santería, Candomblé, and American Indian traditions. Critical of a widespread disengagement from civic participation and of the contemporary novel’s disconnection from politics, this fiction attempts to transform the novel and the practice of reading into a means of political engagement and an inspiration for social change.

232 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2012

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silko/Erdrich essay.

[Brittney Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent academic read for anyone interested in contemporary literature written by American women of color and their role in activism. The novel looks at novels written by black women, Hispanic women, Asian women, and Indigenous women. The books that are alluded to have all been written in the late 1980s and later. It has an interesting take on the role of religion (especially non Euro-American religion) and activism. It's not too technical that it makes for a difficult read, but I don't think anyone outside of a literary scholar would be interested.