John Brown by W. E. B. Dubois
Hoodoo Almanac's Literary Cultural Plunder

W.E.B. Du Bois’ John Brown (1909) is a compelling biography that explores the life, motivations, and historical significance of the radical abolitionist John Brown. Du Bois presents Brown as a visionary and martyr who was willing to sacrifice everything to end slavery in the United States. The book traces Brown’s early life, his deep religious convictions, and his evolution into a militant abolitionist who believed that only direct action could dismantle the institution of slavery. Du Bois examines Brown’s involvement in the violent conflicts in Kansas, his daring raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, and the subsequent trial and execution that made him a national symbol. Through detailed historical analysis, Du Bois challenges the prevailing narratives that painted Brown as a fanatic, instead portraying him as a principled and courageous figure who saw the moral necessity of confronting slavery head-on. The biography underscores Brown’s lasting impact on the Civil War and the broader fight for Black liberation, arguing that his willingness to act decisively made him a pivotal figure in American history.

W.E.B. Du Bois’ John Brown is included in the Hoodoo Almanac's Literary Treasure Hunt because it highlights the legacy of resistance, justice, and ancestral power—key themes in Hoodoo. John Brown, though not a practitioner of Hoodoo, is revered as an elevated ancestor due to his unwavering commitment to the liberation of enslaved people, aligning with Hoodoo’s deep-rooted traditions of resistance against oppression. Du Bois’ biography presents Brown not as a reckless radical but as a spiritual warrior whose actions catalyzed the Civil War and the eventual end of slavery. By including this book in the Literary Treasure Hunt, the Hoodoo Almanac encourages readers to engage with historical narratives that illuminate the fight for freedom and justice. It invites practitioners to honor Brown’s spirit as a force of righteous defiance, reinforcing the idea that Hoodoo is not just about spiritual practices but also about the ancestral call to resist, reclaim, and empower.
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