Faith and Struggle in the Lives of Four African Americans : Ethel Waters, Mary Lou Williams, Eldridge Cleaver, and Muhammad Ali

"In 1964, Muhammad Ali said of his decision to join the Nation of Islam: "I know where I'm going and I know the truth and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want to be." This sentiment, the brash assertion of individual freedom, informs and empowers each of the four personalities profiled in this book. Randal Maurice Jelks shows that to understand the black American experience beyond the larger narratives of enslavement, emancipation, and Black Lives Matter, we need to hear the individual stories. Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a religious African American, he shows that the inner history of black Americans in the 20th century is a story worthy of telling. This book explores the faith stories of four African Americans: Ethel Waters, Mary Lou Williams, Eldridge Cleaver, and Muhammad Ali. It examines their autobiographical writings, interviews, speeches, letters, and memorable performances to understand how each of these figures used religious faith publicly to reconcile deep personal struggles, voice their concerns for human dignity, and reinvent their public image. For them, liberation was not simply defined by material or legal wellbeing, but by a spiritual search for community and personal wholeness."--Bloomsbury Publishing. In 1964, Muhammad Ali said of his decision to join the Nation of Islam: "I know where I'm going and I know the truth and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want to be." This sentiment, the brash assertion of individual freedom, informs and empowers each of the four personalities profiled in this book. Randal Maurice Jelks shows that to understand the black American experience beyond the larger narratives of enslavement, emancipation, and Black Lives Matter, we need to hear the individual stories. Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a religious African American, he shows that the inner history of black Americans in the 20th century is a story worthy of telling. This book explores the faith stories of four African Americans: Ethel Waters, Mary Lou Williams, Eldridge Cleaver, and Muhammad Ali. It examines their autobiographical writings, interviews, speeches, letters, and memorable performances to understand how each of these figures used religious faith publicly to reconcile deep personal struggles, voice their concerns for human dignity, and reinvent their public image. For them, liberation was not simply defined by material or legal wellbeing, but by a spiritual search for community and personal wholeness. -- Provided by publisher Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: “We have been believers”: Toward an inner history of African Americans Chapter 1 I sing because I am free: Ethel Waters “Ethel Waters and a Hymn” “I never been a promiscuous woman” It sounded so real Chapter 2 Jazz is her religion: Mary Lou Williams Becoming Mary Lou “The Gigging Piano Girl from East Liberty” The piano has done well by me Elijah and the Juniper Tree The prayerful one Jazz is her religion Chapter 3 I am free to be what I want to be: Muhammad Ali What’s my name? Enemy of the state “This first step is the control and the protection of our own women” I am free to be what I want to be Chapter 4 “A religious conversion, more or less”: Eldridge Cleaver “The Rebirth of Eldridge Cleaver” Soul on Ice Soul on Fire Conclusion: We have been believers in a New Jerusalem Notes Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Conclusion Select Bibliography Published Primary Sources Other Published Sources Secondary Writings Index