Conclusion

Abstract Prejudices about African religions seem to be some of the most pervasive of the numerous stereotypes that slavery, colonization, and segregation relied on for their existence. In the twenty-first century, many people continue to use words like Obeah, voodoo, and macumba dismissively and derogatorily. This chapter explores present-day and historical examples of the persecution of African diaspora religions which provide proof of the destructive power of these racist labels and why we need to be rid of them. Specifically, it describes how public (mis)understandings of these terms generate fear that legalizing African diaspora religions will invite “witchcraft” into their communities and that the widespread practice of African “superstitions” has led to natural disasters. Additionally, people who carry out physical assaults on African diaspora religious communities continue to deploy these terms to try to rationalize acts of violence.