Black Samson: The Untold Story of an American Icon

by Nyasha Junior, Jeremy Schipper

Before Harriet Tubman or Martin Luther King was identified with Moses, African Americans identified those who challenged racial oppression in America with Samson. In Black Samson: The Untold Story of an American Icon, Nyasha Junior and Jeremy Schipper tell the story of how this biblical character became an icon of African American literature. Along the way, Schipper and Junior introduce readers to a cast of historical characters -- many of whom became American icons themselves -- including Fredrick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton and others.

From stories of slave rebellions to the Harlem Renaissance to the civil rights era and the Black Power movement, invoking the biblical character of Samson became a powerful way for African American intellectuals, activists, and artists to voice strategies and opinions about race relations in America. As this provocative book reveals, the story of Black Samson became the story of our nation's contested racial history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Biblical Studies, African American, Religion, Race

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Brian LePort · Rating 5 out of 5]

A recent example of an excellent study of the Bible’s reception is Nyasha Junior and Jeremy Schipper’s Black Samson: The Untold Story of an American Icon. This book traces the depiction of Samson as a Black man throughout the history of the United States. As you read it becomes apparent that this theme of “Black Samson” is everywhere. I had no idea.

See the fuller review here: https://readingthebiblewithigen.home....

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black Samson is a fascinating deep dive into the significance of a cultural archetype, and what it meant and means specifically for Black Americans. Junior reviews the history of the story and character of Samson, from his literary or religious roots in the Bible (Old Testament) to cultural significance today.

As a musician and choir member for an Episcopal church, this was really interesting; it reminded me of the character analysis voice students and professional singers have to do for any role they take on (Händel's Samson, itself, comes to mind), as well as the study that many church musicians have to do behind the scenes of service to choose appropriate repertoire to perform alongside scripture; but it too delved into cultural significance and specifically race-related significance of Samson, which--aside from reminding me of many literary and dramatic archetypal material from European Romanticism, as well--is an analysis I think more people from any discipline that regards Samson as a figure (religious or real) should be exposed to.

A quick, easy read (or listen, in my case). First nonfiction audiobook, and I wasn't comfortable or familiar with how often there would be citations/footnotes that had to be included after statements. David Sadzin was a perfect bass-baritone narrator for the subject--somber yet evaluative, historical.

ALC provided by Libro.fm through their Bookseller program, accessed via my place of work: Oxford Exchange Bookstore in Tampa, FL.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent. I knew nothing about this topic, and the authors beautifully laid out how the history of Black depictions of Samson in the U.S. is the history of American views of Blackness, especially Black victimhood and power.

I was fascinated by how many different meanings Black Samson has been assigned, by so many different thinkers -- abolitionist and pro-slavery, nonviolent and militant alike. And 192 pages? I love an academic work that wastes no time! Well worth the read or listen.

[Ancella Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read Nyasha Junior explain how black Sampson is related to how Americans view blackness, reviewing the history of Samson from his religious roots, I have learned so much .

[Erin McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one that definitely gives you food for thought. There are so many things mentioned in hear that I had heard of, but now I realize I knew absolutely nothing about them.

[Matthew Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating study

[Lynn Bohlmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much! Very interesting and well researched.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read like an extended bibliography of ALL of the cultural/academic understandings of Samson. Interesting material, but I think there could have been more to link the chapters together.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and well-written investigation into the many ways the Biblical character of Samson shows up in African American literature and cultural expression.