Race, Religion, and Resilience in the Neoliberal Age

This book presents a study of the rise of American neoliberalism in the aftermath of the modern Civil Rights movement, paying particular attention to the traumatic impact of the neoliberal age on countless African Americans. Author Cedric C. Johnson takes a close look at the manner in which American neoliberalism has been able to preserve, articulate, and exploit constructions of race-based difference. The neoliberal age has engendered an extraordinary growth in economic disparities and social inequalities, with traumatic repercussions for innumerable African Americans. Historically, black religious forms have functioned as contested spaces, capable of organizing alternative modes of cultural, economic, and political life. This project examines forms of black religiosity that function as modes of soul care in this context. Johnson posits an innovative, multi-systems approach that informs practices of care for populations traumatized or threatened by the neoliberal age.

• Neoliberalism
• Globalization
• Pastoral Care
• African American
• Black Religion
• Trauma
• Urban Ministry
• Ritual
• Africa
• African
• African Americans
• America
• bibliography
• care
• neoliberalism
• religion
• religiosity

“Race, Religion, and Resilience in the Neoliberal Age is not only a book that has been long awaited, but in view of the outcome of the recent Presidential election in the United States, it is also very timely. … This book is a must-read, not only for pastoral caregivers and anyone providing care giving to African Americans and other exploited or marginalized groups, but also for anyone who is seeking to gain an understanding of this moment in history.” (Carroll A. Watkins Ali, Black Theology, Vol. 15 (2), 2017)

"Cedric Johnson is the leading theorist and scholar of prophetic soul care in the country. This sophisticated analysis of the neoliberal age and powerful call for spirit-filled resistance confirms this status. Visionary, courageous, and empowering!" - Cornel West

"This work is historical, theological, and radically contextual. Johnson examines many of the favored theories and perspectives appropriated by pastoral theology in its discourse on care and counseling. He insists that the privilege previously afforded pastoral theologies of care have been without regard for the lived realities of those excluded from the center of theological constructive works. We will not read or write pastoral theology the same after seriously considering the implications of this work." - Phillis Isabella Sheppard, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, Vanderbilt Divinity School, USA

"In this bold piece of scholarship, Johnson assesses the traumatic impact of neoliberalism upon the African American community. Unlike many cultural criticisms that stop at socio-political analysis, he passionately moves to a praxis approach with keen analytical insight and the hope of transformation. This book presents counter-cultural congregational rituals of soul care for healing the traumas and devastations experienced by African Americans." - Lee H. Butler, Jr., Interim Vice President for Academics and Academic Dean, Professor of Theology and Psychology, and Founder, Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life, Chicago Theological Seminary, USA

"This book showcases twenty-first century pastoral theology at its very best. Johnson adopts an inter-disciplinary methodology to address the inter-locking challenges of our day." - Emmanuel Y. Lartey, L. Bevel Jones III, Chair of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA

Cedric C. Johnson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Congregational Care at Wesley Theological Seminary, USA. He joined Wesley's faculty after working over fifteen years in the field of community mental health, as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director. His research interests include pastoral care and neoliberal globalization, postcolonial theory, trauma theory, and African American pastoral care.

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