Subversive Habits

Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle

By: Shannen Dee Williams

Narrated by: Machelle Williams

In Subversive Habits, Shannen Dee Williams provides the first full history of Black Catholic nuns in the United States, hailing them as the forgotten prophets of Catholicism and democracy. Drawing on oral histories and previously sealed Church records, Williams demonstrates how master narratives of women's religious life and Catholic commitments to racial and gender justice fundamentally change when the lives and experiences of African American nuns are taken seriously.

For Black Catholic women and girls, embracing the celibate religious state constituted a radical act of resistance to white supremacy and the sexual terrorism built into chattel slavery and segregation. Williams shows how Black sisters—such as Sister Mary Antona Ebo, who was the only Black member of the inaugural delegation of Catholic sisters to travel to Selma, Alabama, and join the Black voting rights marches of 1965—were pioneering religious leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, desegregation foot soldiers, Black Power activists, and womanist theologians.

In the process, Williams calls attention to Catholic women's religious life as a stronghold of white supremacy and racial segregation—and thus an important battleground in the long African American freedom struggle.

©2022 Duke University Press (P)2022 Tantor

2 Ratings for what all in this book, huh?

I found this book to be one of the most enlightening discussions of the Black nuns ever. Up until several years ago, I too thought there was no such thing as African-American nuns. And honestly, there is barely any evidence that they exist today until now. It is disheartening to learn that the main Christian religion in this country was also one of the main proponents of discriminatory practices and that it still has such a long way to go. I'm also surprised that only two ratings have been published for this book, leading me to believe that there is not really a lot of interest on all sides to learn about these courageous women. I am grateful and thankful for the author for even doing such a book and now proudly own a soft copy.

Amazing “Habits”

This book provides insightful information about the struggles, trials, and contributions of African American nuns in America and later in Sub-Sahara Africa.
The extensive research conducted by Ms. Williams to relay the perseverance and cleverness of nuns to join the different orders, or to lead a contemplative life or to teach despite rampant misogyny and racism is exceptional.