At the Intersection of Race and Religion: LSU Series to Spotlight the Religion of White Rage
February 17, 2021
Baton Rouge—Race and religion take center stage in the upcoming episode of “Racism: Dismantling the System.” Race, Religion and the Moment We’re In: The Religion of White Rage will shed light on the phenomenon of white rage and map out the uneasy relationship between white anxiety, religious fervor, American identity and perceived Black racial progress. Join the discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m. CT.
The February episode is inspired by the book “The Religion of White Rage: Religious Fervor, White Workers and the Myth of Black Racial Progress,” co-edited by Stephen C. Finley, Biko Mandela Gray and Lori Latrice Martin.
“Religion is a source of connection and community for many Americans; however, it is also the primary motivating factor for the rise of white rage and white supremacist sentiment in the United States. The Capitol insurrection is the latest example of this,” said Associate Professor of Religious Studies and African & African American Studies Stephen C. Finley. “In this episode, we will hone in on this relationship between white apprehension, race and religion, and their subsequent effects on communities of color and the struggle for equality.”
The LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs will host the episode in partnership with Southern University and A&M College’s Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences, Louisiana Budget Project, NAACP Louisiana State Conference and the LSU Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Danae Faulk, a Syracuse University Ph.D. candidate and LSU alumna, will moderate the event. Faulk assisted in compiling the co-edited volume and is the author of “White Power Barbie and Other Figures of the Angry White Woman,” which appears in the book.
Panelists include:
- Stephen C. Finley, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies; Associate Professor of Religious Studies and African and African American Studies (AAAS); Director of AAAS Program, Louisiana State University
- Biko Mandela Gray, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of American Religion, Syracuse University
- Lori Latrice Martin, Ph.D. Professor of African & African American Studies and Sociology, Louisiana State University; Interim Director, African & African American Studies
The series will be hosted on Zoom and broadcast on Facebook Live. Admission is free, but you must register in advance on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom meeting access code. Previous episodes are available for viewing on the Manship School’s YouTube channel. For more information, contact ksibley1@lsu.edu.
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The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs is partnership-driven, action-oriented and dedicated to exploring contemporary issues at the intersection of mass communication and public life. Its interdisciplinary approach draws together experts from diverse fields to advance research and dialogue. The intent is to inspire our communities to think deeply, take action, develop solutions and broaden knowledge. Underlying the Center’s endeavors is to strengthen and advance the Manship School’s national and state leadership in media and politics.
LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication ranks among the strongest collegiate communication programs in the country, with its robust emphasis on media and public affairs. It offers undergraduate degrees in public relations, journalism, political communication, digital advertising and pre-law, along with four graduate degree programs: master of mass communication, Ph.D. in media and public affairs, certificate of strategic communication and dual MMC/law degree.
The Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences at Southern University and A&M College aims to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality educational experience, to engage in scholarly research, creative activities and meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and global environment. Located on the campus of Southern University and A&M College, the flagship of the nation's only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) System, the College offers six baccalaureate, four masters, and one doctoral degree program.
The Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) monitors and reports on state public policies and how they affect Louisiana’s low- to moderate-income families. Using research, outreach and advocacy, LBP educates policymakers, the nonprofit community and the public about the economic and racial barriers that Louisianans face each day, and looks for solutions that can create a more widely shared prosperity.
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
The LSU Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a division of the Office of Academic Affairs and provides support, referral, and information to students, faculty, and staff on issues and concerns related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more information, please visit lsu.edu/diversity.