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'''''The Nigger Bible''''' is a book by Robert H. deCoy, originally self-published by deCoy and then reissued by [[Holloway House]] in 1967,<ref name=bould>{{cite journal |title=Come Alive by Saying No: An Introduction to Black Power SF |first=Mark |last=Bould |journal=[[Science Fiction Studies]] |volume=34 |issue=2 |year=2007 |pages= |
'''''The Nigger Bible''''' is a book by Robert H. deCoy, originally self-published by deCoy and then reissued by [[Holloway House]] in 1967,<ref name=bould>{{cite journal |title=Come Alive by Saying No: An Introduction to Black Power SF |first=Mark |last=Bould |journal=[[Science Fiction Studies]] |volume=34 |issue=2 |year=2007 |pages=220–40 |jstor=4241523 }}</ref> and again in 1972 ({{ISBN|0-87067-619-9}}).<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Black Book Roundup #7 Spring 1981 |journal=[[The Black Scholar]] |volume=12 |issue=2 |year=1981 |pages=31–69 |doi=10.1080/00064246.1981.11414172 |jstor=41068053 }}</ref> Described as a "key statement" in the [[Black Power movement]],<ref name=bould/> it is a social and linguistic analysis of the word "[[nigger]]" and of the origins and contemporary circumstances of the [[black people]]s of America. |
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== Analysis == |
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The form is varied and might be described as a series of reflections. In the preface, [[Dick Gregory]] (whose autobiography was entitled ''[[Nigger (1964 book)|Nigger]]'') writes: "In abolishing and rejecting the Caucasian-Christian philosophical and literary forms while recording his 'Black Experiences,' this writer has removed himself from their double-standard, hypocritical frames of reference".<ref>''The Nigger Bible'' (1972), p. 14.</ref> |
The form is varied and might be described as a series of reflections. In the preface, [[Dick Gregory]] (whose autobiography was entitled ''[[Nigger (1964 book)|Nigger]]'') writes: "In abolishing and rejecting the Caucasian-Christian philosophical and literary forms while recording his 'Black Experiences,' this writer has removed himself from their double-standard, hypocritical frames of reference".<ref>''The Nigger Bible'' (1972), p. 14.</ref> |
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It attempts to tease apart the cultural, philosophical, and scriptural origins of what the author calls an "Alabaster Man", one that experienced the conclusions and prejudices at the root of their oppression. It examines, among other texts, the Christian |
It attempts to tease apart the cultural, philosophical, and scriptural origins of what the author calls an "Alabaster Man", one that experienced the conclusions and prejudices at the root of their oppression. It examines, among other texts, the Christian Bible and its terminology. The book explores the power of words, and reinterprets and critiques core western religious and philosophical constructs, including those that are central to much of the modern African-American religious experience. In one of the chapters, he discusses "the genealogy of [[The Jody Grind|Jody Grind]]"; [[Eugene B. Redmond]] remarks that deCoy is one of many African-American writers who "continues a tradition by seeking out folk epics and ballads as sources of poetry".<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Black American Epic: Its Roots, Its Writers |first=Eugene B. |last=Redmond |authorlink=Eugene B. Redmond |journal=[[The Black Scholar]] |volume=2 |issue=5 |year=1971 |pages=15–22 |doi=10.1080/00064246.1971.11431031 |jstor=41163469 }}</ref> |
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DeCoy re-examines the word "nigger", demystifies it, and attempts to embed critical thinking skills about black personality types and categories. The author deconstructs the Christianity of "Niggers" (including, in his view, [[African American Muslims|Black Muslims]]) as well as the values of the [[New Left]]. The book contains an analysis of the cultural and racial significance of [[Mardi Gras]]. |
DeCoy re-examines the word "nigger", demystifies it, and attempts to embed critical thinking skills about black personality types and categories. The author deconstructs the Christianity of "Niggers" (including, in his view, [[African American Muslims|Black Muslims]]) as well as the values of the [[New Left]]. The book contains an analysis of the cultural and racial significance of [[Mardi Gras]]. |
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DeCoy also published ''Cold Black Preach'' (1971, {{ISBN| 0-87067-627-X}}). ''The Black Scholar'' summarized: "Noted author of the explosive best seller ''The Nigger Bible'' takes on the black preaching establishment".<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Black Scholar Black Books Roundup # 9 |journal=[[The Black Scholar]] |volume=13 |issue=2/3 |year=1982 |pages= |
DeCoy also published ''Cold Black Preach'' (1971, {{ISBN| 0-87067-627-X}}). ''The Black Scholar'' summarized: "Noted author of the explosive best seller ''The Nigger Bible'' takes on the black preaching establishment".<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Black Scholar Black Books Roundup # 9 |journal=[[The Black Scholar]] |volume=13 |issue=2/3 |year=1982 |pages=49–80 |jstor=41066882 }}</ref> |
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==Chapters== |
==Chapters== |
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#:The first two chapters start in an epistolary manner; they are addressed to "My Nigger Son" and "My Dear Nigger Son". Subsequent chapters are addressed sometimes as if to one son, sometimes more broadly to children and brothers. This first chapter introduces the "Alabaster Man", whose "fault and sins" are only partly to blame for the current situation; the more general problem is that Judeo-Christian scripture excluded Africans, in that Genesis opens with the word from which they are excluded; rather, DeCoy explains, a "Scripture of Truth" starts with experience. DeCoy adds that the word "Negro" "was manufactured to describe those Niggers who would waste their existence in the hopeless void of eventually dying as Christian Caucasians" (25-26; Coward 29), and Kyle Antar Coward saw a parallel with similar comments by [[H. Rap Brown]] in his 1969 memoir ''[[Die Nigger Die!]]'' (Coward 30). |
#:The first two chapters start in an epistolary manner; they are addressed to "My Nigger Son" and "My Dear Nigger Son". Subsequent chapters are addressed sometimes as if to one son, sometimes more broadly to children and brothers. This first chapter introduces the "Alabaster Man", whose "fault and sins" are only partly to blame for the current situation; the more general problem is that Judeo-Christian scripture excluded Africans, in that Genesis opens with the word from which they are excluded; rather, DeCoy explains, a "Scripture of Truth" starts with experience. DeCoy adds that the word "Negro" "was manufactured to describe those Niggers who would waste their existence in the hopeless void of eventually dying as Christian Caucasians" (25-26; Coward 29), and Kyle Antar Coward saw a parallel with similar comments by [[H. Rap Brown]] in his 1969 memoir ''[[Die Nigger Die!]]'' (Coward 30). |
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# (1) Words in Testament to My Nigger Son, (2) The First Dictionary of Nigrite Words |
# (1) Words in Testament to My Nigger Son, (2) The First Dictionary of Nigrite Words |
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#:In this chapter DeCoy examines the word "nigger" (and deCoy lists over forty derivatives of the word<ref>{{cite journal|title=What Is Black? |first=Sarah Webster |last=Fabio | authorlink=Sarah Webster Fabio |journal=[[College Composition and Communication]] |volume=19 |issue=5 |year=1968 |pages= |
#:In this chapter DeCoy examines the word "nigger" (and deCoy lists over forty derivatives of the word<ref>{{cite journal|title=What Is Black? |first=Sarah Webster |last=Fabio | authorlink=Sarah Webster Fabio |journal=[[College Composition and Communication]] |volume=19 |issue=5 |year=1968 |pages=286–87 |doi=10.2307/355893 |jstor=355893 }}</ref>) |
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# Separation is "The Nigger Salvation" |
# Separation is "The Nigger Salvation" |
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#:DeCoy rails against those who support integration and introduces the idea of a segregated "Nigger Community" within the United States in which black communities are self-governed. |
#:DeCoy rails against those who support integration and introduces the idea of a segregated "Nigger Community" within the United States in which black communities are self-governed. |
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# What A Nigger Needs Most is a |
# What A Nigger Needs Most is a master |
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#:"Black captives" need to realize that they are automatically excluded from Judeo-Christian concepts of God. |
#:"Black captives" need to realize that they are automatically excluded from Judeo-Christian concepts of God. |
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# (1) Prelude to a Nigger Genesis, (2) deCoy's Song of Genesis |
# (1) Prelude to a Nigger Genesis, (2) deCoy's Song of Genesis |
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#:Pearly Gates: "Super Spade" Jackson, at the gates of Heaven following a nuclear holocaust on Earth, discusses black history with St Peter, explaining the difference between "Niggers" and "Negroes", and that God should pay no mind to a "Black Cabinet" which consists of the kind of "Negroes" (including members of the [[NAACP]]) denounced by DeCoy. |
#:Pearly Gates: "Super Spade" Jackson, at the gates of Heaven following a nuclear holocaust on Earth, discusses black history with St Peter, explaining the difference between "Niggers" and "Negroes", and that God should pay no mind to a "Black Cabinet" which consists of the kind of "Negroes" (including members of the [[NAACP]]) denounced by DeCoy. |
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:Biography of Robert H. DeCoy |
:Biography of Robert H. DeCoy |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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===Bibliography=== |
===Bibliography=== |
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* {{cite thesis |title='Nigger': Interpretations of the Word's Prevalence on the Chappelle's Show, Throughout Entertainment, and in Everyday Life |first=Kyle Antar |last=Coward |type=Massachusetts |publisher=University of North Carolina |location=Chapel Hill |year=2007}} |
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*{{cite book |title=The Nigger Bible |publisher=Holloway House |year=1972 |first=Robert H. |last=deCoy}} |
* {{cite book |title=The Nigger Bible |publisher=[[Holloway House]] |year=1972 |first=Robert H. |last=deCoy}} |
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* Nishikawa, Kinohi (2018). ''Street Players: Black Pulp Fiction and the Making of a Literary Underground''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nigger Bible}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nigger Bible}} |
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[[Category:1967 non-fiction books]] |
[[Category:1967 non-fiction books]] |
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[[Category:African-American literature]] |
[[Category:African-American literature]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Black studies publications]] |
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[[Category:Dick Gregory]] |
[[Category:Dick Gregory]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:02, 18 June 2024
The Nigger Bible is a book by Robert H. deCoy, originally self-published by deCoy and then reissued by Holloway House in 1967,[1] and again in 1972 (ISBN 0-87067-619-9).[2] Described as a "key statement" in the Black Power movement,[1] it is a social and linguistic analysis of the word "nigger" and of the origins and contemporary circumstances of the black peoples of America.
Analysis
[edit]The form is varied and might be described as a series of reflections. In the preface, Dick Gregory (whose autobiography was entitled Nigger) writes: "In abolishing and rejecting the Caucasian-Christian philosophical and literary forms while recording his 'Black Experiences,' this writer has removed himself from their double-standard, hypocritical frames of reference".[3]
It attempts to tease apart the cultural, philosophical, and scriptural origins of what the author calls an "Alabaster Man", one that experienced the conclusions and prejudices at the root of their oppression. It examines, among other texts, the Christian Bible and its terminology. The book explores the power of words, and reinterprets and critiques core western religious and philosophical constructs, including those that are central to much of the modern African-American religious experience. In one of the chapters, he discusses "the genealogy of Jody Grind"; Eugene B. Redmond remarks that deCoy is one of many African-American writers who "continues a tradition by seeking out folk epics and ballads as sources of poetry".[4]
DeCoy re-examines the word "nigger", demystifies it, and attempts to embed critical thinking skills about black personality types and categories. The author deconstructs the Christianity of "Niggers" (including, in his view, Black Muslims) as well as the values of the New Left. The book contains an analysis of the cultural and racial significance of Mardi Gras.
DeCoy also published Cold Black Preach (1971, ISBN 0-87067-627-X). The Black Scholar summarized: "Noted author of the explosive best seller The Nigger Bible takes on the black preaching establishment".[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Bould, Mark (2007). "Come Alive by Saying No: An Introduction to Black Power SF". Science Fiction Studies. 34 (2): 220–40. JSTOR 4241523.
- ^ "The Black Book Roundup #7 Spring 1981". The Black Scholar. 12 (2): 31–69. 1981. doi:10.1080/00064246.1981.11414172. JSTOR 41068053.
- ^ The Nigger Bible (1972), p. 14.
- ^ Redmond, Eugene B. (1971). "The Black American Epic: Its Roots, Its Writers". The Black Scholar. 2 (5): 15–22. doi:10.1080/00064246.1971.11431031. JSTOR 41163469.
- ^ "The Black Scholar Black Books Roundup # 9". The Black Scholar. 13 (2/3): 49–80. 1982. JSTOR 41066882.
Bibliography
[edit]- Coward, Kyle Antar (2007). 'Nigger': Interpretations of the Word's Prevalence on the Chappelle's Show, Throughout Entertainment, and in Everyday Life (Massachusetts). Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina.
- deCoy, Robert H. (1972). The Nigger Bible. Holloway House.
- Nishikawa, Kinohi (2018). Street Players: Black Pulp Fiction and the Making of a Literary Underground. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.