On April 20-21, 2023, the Africana Studies Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will host its 21st Annual Symposium on “Race, Religion, and Health.” We invite proposals exploring any aspect of the relationship between race/racism, religion, and health in any time period, geographic region, racial group, or religious community. However, preference will be given to proposals that focus on people of African descent and/or the religious traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, including African ancestral religions, Islam, Christianity, and Afro-diasporic religions. Suggested topics include but are not limited to:
- Africana religious communities’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Historical criminalization of Black/Africana religions as a threat to public health
- Stereotypes about Africana religions as the root/cause of disease
- Africana religions and holistic health practices
- Race, religion, and mental illness (i.e.- characterization and criminalization of religious beliefs and practices as mental illness)
Individual proposals should include: a short bio (please limit to 150 words) and an abstract of no more than 250 words.
Complete panel proposals should include: (1) a panel abstract and title (2) a 250-word abstract for each paper (3) a short bio for each presenter and (4) names and contact information for the panel chair.
Proposals must be submitted by Feb 15, 2023 at: https://forms.gle/dbUausxUk7MihiYB9 Notifications will be provided by March 1, 2023.
Virtual presentations are welcome. Travel grants are available for presenters who attend in-person.
Select presenters will be invited to submit their papers to the Journal of Africana Religions for a special issue on the same theme.
Questions should be sent to Dr. Danielle N. Boaz at dboaz@uncc.edu
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