James Cone, Martin and Malcolm and America

Develops question Davita: how can religion (Judaism) teach and deny justice at the same time?  What should she do in response? Can she remain practicing, does she have to leave, or does she form a middle way? Martin and Malcolm: how does religion provide solutions to racism?  How do they (esp. Malcolm) critique Christian racism?

James Cone (b. 1938) “Father” of black liberation theology Educated in and by white theologians, but developed a distinctive black theology  Looks at (black) experience as starting and ending point  Believes God is fundamentally against oppression; Jesus came to liberate people both on earth and for heaven  Theology must lead to better practice and actions

Martin and Malcolm and America Written 1991  How might it be updated for 2008?  How have Martin and Malcolm been remembered since the late 1960s? Thesis: people think of MLK and Malcolm as opposites, but their perspectives began to converge by the time of their deaths  Cone: the two perspectives need each other

Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ) Upbringing  Family  Church  Experiences with racism  Education “Integrationist”

Malcolm X ( ) Upbringing  Family  Religion  Experiences with racism  Education Why the Nation of Islam? “Separatist”/nationalist