Lament and Justice in African American History

Abstract

For African Americans who have experienced the trauma of colonization, displacement, enslavement, and race-based violence, lament has long been a form of cultural expression that creates space to process these experiences. Lament and Justice in African American History: By the Rivers of Babylon explores the theme of lament in African American history from a theological perspective. In part one of this edited volume, scholars examine historical examples of African Americans’ use of lament as a framework for engaging both historical memory and social action. Part two offers examples of the incorporation of lament as a pedagogical tool in classrooms and other educational settings. Readers of this book will appreciate the importance of lament in the African American Christian tradition and will come away challenged to connect their own lament with the pursuit of justice.