Liberating Our Dignity, Saving Our Souls: A New Theory of African American Identity Formation

by Lee H. Butler Jr. In Liberating Our Dignity, Saving Our Souls, Lee H. Butler, Jr., explores the question of African American identity and aims to address the challenges to the identity and integrity of African Americans. Confronting oneself, especially when looking in the mirror, is crucial for transforming sorrow and initiating a healing journey. Lee emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge as the first step toward a new life. The inquiry is guided by questions such as "What does it mean to be an African in America?" and "What are the influences shaping the African American identity?" The author employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining theology, psychology, and Africentricity to interpret phenomena. The focus is on how race, gender, and spirituality impact the formation of an African American identity. The book is organized into five thematic categories. The first category delves into identity formation, reflecting on the significance of race and gender as formational f