Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race, by Edward W. Blyden (TPB, published in 1994, reprint from 1888, $3)
Blyden writes to instruct "Negro Youth in Christian lands" about Africa. He saw the first missionaries as "doing noble and exemplary work", but that missionaries are now losing the battle for converts. These missionaries treat negroes as "children", and "Mohammedanists" with hostility. Labeling Mohammad as a false prophet didn't usually start a dialogue. Further, the British government was clear it linked Christian spiritual instruction with " the English instinct for colonial expansion and Imperial rule". Meanwhile, Islam brought with it cultural and individual freedoms, a sense of self-worth, and government by the indigenous people.
Islam, Blyden warns, is a definite threat, but it can be countered by carefully studying Islam, treating it with respect, and encouraging African autonomy. (I wonder what the British government thought of this idea.)
Ironically, Blyden advocates the return of former African slaves to Africa, or at least to Liberia, which he sees as a Christian country. He writes, "Liberia is the only country which redeems Christianity, or rather Christians, from the charge of appropriating the country of another people as a reward for giving them the highest religion. There is no other country in the world belonging to any dark race which, evangelised by Christians, has been left to control of the natives." I wonder whether the Liberian people considered the American former-slaves as "natives". (Just a thought.)
Look for this book on the new non-fiction table, avail. 3/17. (later- rel.)
