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Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race and Psychiatry in Slavery's Wake
2025 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title
How white psychiatrists pathologized African American religions
In the decades after the end of slavery, African Americans were committed to southern state mental hospitals at higher rates as white psychiatrists listed “religious excitement” among the most frequent causes of insanity for Black patients. At the same time, American popular culture and political discourse framed African American modes of spiritual power as fetishism and superstition, cast embodied worship as excessive or fanatical, and labeled new religious movements “cults,” unworthy of respect.
As Judith Weisenfeld argues in Black Religion in the Madhouse, psychiatrists’ notions of race and religion became inextricably intertwined in the decades after the end of slavery and into the twentieth century, and had profound impacts on the diagnosis, care, and treatment of Black patients. This book charts how racialized medical understandings of mental normalcy pathologized a range of Black religious beliefs, spiritual sensibilities, practices, and social organizations and framed them as manifestations of innate racial traits. Importantly, these characterizations were marshaled to help to limit the possibilities for Black self-determination, with white psychiatrists’ theories about African American religion and mental health being used to promote claims of Black people’s unfitness for freedom.
Drawing on extensive archival research, Black Religion in the Madhouse is the first book to expose how racist views of Black religion in slavery’s wake shaped the rise of psychiatry as an established and powerful profession.
How white psychiatrists pathologized African American religions
In the decades after the end of slavery, African Americans were committed to southern state mental hospitals at higher rates as white psychiatrists listed “religious excitement” among the most frequent causes of insanity for Black patients. At the same time, American popular culture and political discourse framed African American modes of spiritual power as fetishism and superstition, cast embodied worship as excessive or fanatical, and labeled new religious movements “cults,” unworthy of respect.
As Judith Weisenfeld argues in Black Religion in the Madhouse, psychiatrists’ notions of race and religion became inextricably intertwined in the decades after the end of slavery and into the twentieth century, and had profound impacts on the diagnosis, care, and treatment of Black patients. This book charts how racialized medical understandings of mental normalcy pathologized a range of Black religious beliefs, spiritual sensibilities, practices, and social organizations and framed them as manifestations of innate racial traits. Importantly, these characterizations were marshaled to help to limit the possibilities for Black self-determination, with white psychiatrists’ theories about African American religion and mental health being used to promote claims of Black people’s unfitness for freedom.
Drawing on extensive archival research, Black Religion in the Madhouse is the first book to expose how racist views of Black religion in slavery’s wake shaped the rise of psychiatry as an established and powerful profession.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 20, 2025
An archive-trawling history of how conceptions of race, religiosity, bias and mental pathology intersected in the nineteenth and early twentieth century in order to perpetuate an essentialist view of Black inferiority. "Religious excitement" was overwhelmingly overrepresented as cause for insanity for Black patients in asylum records: a part of a broader segradative and de-individualing psychiatrical (mal)practice which only pursued personal causes and isolated individual pathologies, i.e. human complexity, in white patients. The religious behaviours exhibited could have only been pathological, of course, because they did not fit into the White Protestant narrow conception of proper worship and Christianity, and then accusations of insanity could be hurled back to justify that same disparagement of non-white communities and practices.
In the post-Civil-War American South psychiatrists, coming from socially elite backgrounds, often former slaveholders themselves, characterized Black people as innately more primitive, somehow unchanged from an imagined savage heathen African (who was thus presumed to be more emotional, less rational, more superstitious.) In that so-familiar reactionary refrain, all propensity towards mental illness, real and imagined, was attributed to a "clash of civilization", an inborn inability of the Black body to keep up with industrialized, modern, white civilization - they had it better under the benevolent strong hand of slavery, you see, carefree (>>>free).
This won't be the kind of text to read without personal interest to sustain you through it. It is stylistically rather dry, somewhat repetitive and exhaustingly referential - that is, within the usual parameters and necessities of historical research, and I wouldn't be able to say there is a better way of writing a monograph like that - that is, without also doing bad history.
In the post-Civil-War American South psychiatrists, coming from socially elite backgrounds, often former slaveholders themselves, characterized Black people as innately more primitive, somehow unchanged from an imagined savage heathen African (who was thus presumed to be more emotional, less rational, more superstitious.) In that so-familiar reactionary refrain, all propensity towards mental illness, real and imagined, was attributed to a "clash of civilization", an inborn inability of the Black body to keep up with industrialized, modern, white civilization - they had it better under the benevolent strong hand of slavery, you see, carefree (>>>free).
This won't be the kind of text to read without personal interest to sustain you through it. It is stylistically rather dry, somewhat repetitive and exhaustingly referential - that is, within the usual parameters and necessities of historical research, and I wouldn't be able to say there is a better way of writing a monograph like that - that is, without also doing bad history.
{Review based off an advanced reader's copy,
provided by New York University Press and NetGalley.
May 2, 2026
This is a dense but really insightful look at how Black religious expression was interpreted—and often misinterpreted—through the lens of early psychiatry in the post-slavery United States. The book brings together history, religion, and medicine in a way that highlights just how deeply race shaped ideas about mental health.
It’s clearly very well researched, and while it leans academic in tone, it remains engaging if you’re interested in the subject. Some sections are heavier than others, but the overall argument is compelling and thought-provoking.
Not a light read, but an important one. Definitely recommended for readers interested in history, religion, or the intersection of race and medicine.
It’s clearly very well researched, and while it leans academic in tone, it remains engaging if you’re interested in the subject. Some sections are heavier than others, but the overall argument is compelling and thought-provoking.
Not a light read, but an important one. Definitely recommended for readers interested in history, religion, or the intersection of race and medicine.
January 19, 2025
I received a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I work in mental health. I enjoy reading books on mental health. I was excited to read this book.
I really wanted to read this book. I thought I would enjoy this book. The book talked mainly about the racist beliefs of psychiatrists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I know psychiatrists were racist (and sexist). I expected the book would talk about it. I didn't think most of the book would talk about how racist these institutions and doctors were at the time. It was difficult to want to read more of the book.
The book was too long. The chapters were quite long. I forced myself to finish the book. The book didn't keep you wanting to read and learn more. I honestly didn't know why the author wrote the book. Books are usually meant to educate us ( in fiction, examine a life or make a statement). I am not sure what the authors goal was.
The only part of the book I liked was the part, that talked about Father Divine. I had never heard of this cult. People who join cults fascinate me. I wish there was more talk of this cult in the book.
The book tried to close in a positive manner. It was the last 25 pages. It just seemed to late for me.
I am thankful for the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I hope other people like the book more than I did
I really wanted to read this book. I thought I would enjoy this book. The book talked mainly about the racist beliefs of psychiatrists in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I know psychiatrists were racist (and sexist). I expected the book would talk about it. I didn't think most of the book would talk about how racist these institutions and doctors were at the time. It was difficult to want to read more of the book.
The book was too long. The chapters were quite long. I forced myself to finish the book. The book didn't keep you wanting to read and learn more. I honestly didn't know why the author wrote the book. Books are usually meant to educate us ( in fiction, examine a life or make a statement). I am not sure what the authors goal was.
The only part of the book I liked was the part, that talked about Father Divine. I had never heard of this cult. People who join cults fascinate me. I wish there was more talk of this cult in the book.
The book tried to close in a positive manner. It was the last 25 pages. It just seemed to late for me.
I am thankful for the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I hope other people like the book more than I did
May 4, 2025
4.5🌟
Black Religion in the Madhouse by Judith Weisenfeld examines how white psychiatrists in the post-slavery United States pathologized African American religious beliefs, labeling them as signs of mental illness. The book reveals how psychiatric theories merged with racist ideas to portray Black spirituality as irrational and dangerous, justifying higher institutionalization rates and limiting Black autonomy. Through deep archival research, Weisenfeld shows how these medicalized views of religion played a central role in both shaping early psychiatry and reinforcing white supremacy.
As I'm sure you can tell from the book description, this is not an easy or light read. Although the writing could be a bit dry at times, this book is a very important and compelling read. It highlights many heartbreaking stories of Black individuals who suffered greatly under these racist psychiatric practices. It also reveals how medical authority was used to dehumanize and control Black communities by misrepresenting their spirituality.
Recommended for nonfiction readers interested in mental health, social justice, and history.
Thank you NetGalley and NYU Press for the ARC.
Black Religion in the Madhouse by Judith Weisenfeld examines how white psychiatrists in the post-slavery United States pathologized African American religious beliefs, labeling them as signs of mental illness. The book reveals how psychiatric theories merged with racist ideas to portray Black spirituality as irrational and dangerous, justifying higher institutionalization rates and limiting Black autonomy. Through deep archival research, Weisenfeld shows how these medicalized views of religion played a central role in both shaping early psychiatry and reinforcing white supremacy.
As I'm sure you can tell from the book description, this is not an easy or light read. Although the writing could be a bit dry at times, this book is a very important and compelling read. It highlights many heartbreaking stories of Black individuals who suffered greatly under these racist psychiatric practices. It also reveals how medical authority was used to dehumanize and control Black communities by misrepresenting their spirituality.
Recommended for nonfiction readers interested in mental health, social justice, and history.
Thank you NetGalley and NYU Press for the ARC.
June 11, 2025
I found this book to be a bit boring for me personally. While I can absolutely see its value in an academic setting—perhaps as part of a course or research material—it didn’t hold my interest as a leisure read. The writing felt more like a textbook than something intended for general audiences, which made it difficult to stay engaged.
That said, I did really appreciate the exploration of how religion and psychiatry intersect. The different examples provided throughout the book were thought-provoking and actually inspired me to do some independent research into a few of the cases mentioned. That part was genuinely enjoyable.
Overall, while I didn’t find the book very relatable or engaging for casual reading, I recognize its academic worth. It would probably resonate more with someone studying in a related field, but for me, it wasn’t the most enjoyable read outside of a classroom context.
That said, I did really appreciate the exploration of how religion and psychiatry intersect. The different examples provided throughout the book were thought-provoking and actually inspired me to do some independent research into a few of the cases mentioned. That part was genuinely enjoyable.
Overall, while I didn’t find the book very relatable or engaging for casual reading, I recognize its academic worth. It would probably resonate more with someone studying in a related field, but for me, it wasn’t the most enjoyable read outside of a classroom context.
April 22, 2025
This is a sad book b/c you see how poorly Black Americans and their health was treated. They were more like science experiments to doctors than actual people. Everything they did was attributed to religious hysteria, regardless of where or not they manifested legitimate health issues. Religion helped a lot of Black Americans cope during the slavery years and many of them were part of Charismatic movements. This was seen in a negative light at the time and allowed doctors to dismiss legitimate medical needs and concerns in favor of assumptions due to a patients skin color. Racism very much played a role in the poor medical treatment people received at the time. Sadly, much has not seemed or change. *I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
June 27, 2025
Amazing, triggering and well written book. Just another example of how a certain demographic has villainized a group of people forcibly brought over and subjected to hate . And to be honest, it's still happening today, they're just not able to lock us up for it, (at least not now). It was so informative and my heart broke for those that had to endure this treatment. If you're looking for a resource into how the medical system has treated People like us for years, this is one of those books that you must have in your possession.
I received a copy of the book via the publisher through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
I received a copy of the book via the publisher through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
August 1, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
This was a very well done book. It was well researched and tackles an important part of history. I loved getting the opportunity to read this book. The author also has very compelling writing that makes this book enjoyable to read, despite the heavy topic.
This was a very well done book. It was well researched and tackles an important part of history. I loved getting the opportunity to read this book. The author also has very compelling writing that makes this book enjoyable to read, despite the heavy topic.
April 11, 2026
Absolutely fascinating book. Challenges assumptions on mental illness and culture by exploring the history of psychiatry and the treatment of African Americans since the Civil War. Highly, highly recommended.
January 29, 2025
There were so many things in this book I had not yet encountered. I love learning new things, even sad and dark things. How can we be better without this?
Thank you so much for this ARC.
Thank you so much for this ARC.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews