Religion and Racial Capitalism

Much of the discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion have encountered two blind spots. First, discourse in the academy and beyond have prioritized the intersectionality of race and gender but neglected the intersectionality of race and class. Secondly, the resurgence (and now backlash) to diversity, equity, and inclusion have largely benefited cultural and economic elites on the political left and left behind the working class. This book suggests that the framework of racial capitalism can help bring attention to these gaps, in part due to renewed scholarly interest in racial capitalism across academic disciplines.

This edited volume is largely motivated by the above gaps in academic and mainstream discourse and makes two primary contributions: first, we examine the unique intersection of religion and racial capitalism, and second, we analyze case studies of racial capitalism in country contexts outside of the U.S., drawing on case studies from North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Scholars, particularly historians, have largely examined racial capitalism in the U.S. context. Studies in this edited volume highlight how the challenges and manifestations of racial capitalism, or the complex, intertwined relationship between racial and economic inequality, are not particular to America and the West. Part I of the book investigates the past, or “origin stories,” of religion and racial capitalism. Part II, the present, underscores contemporary empirical studies of religion and racial capitalism, like how religious institutions have reinforced, justified, or even promoted racial and economic injustices. Lastly, Part III, future, presents ways forward, or potential interventions in response to religion and racial capitalism.

Grace Tien is a sociologist studying the intersection of culture, religion, and political economy. She completed her PhD in sociology at Princeton University and currently holds a postdoctoral appointment at Northwestern University.

Maria Eugenia Funes is a sociologist and anthropologist specialized in the articulations between religion and lifestyles. She holds a PhD from Universidad de Buenos Aires and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. She is currently a Visiting Professor at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina, and a postdoctoral fellow for the Nonreligion in a Complex Future Project at Ottawa University.