Transitioning into modern culture, Voodoo is still seen by the dominant American culture and Europe as sinful and threatening. It was perceived as fraudulent, but during the late twentieth century, concerns over fraudulence began to subside and Voodoo was received as more of a social tourist commodity and possible jackpot for commercial profiteering. During the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a new recognition of Voodoo as an accredited religion; one place that fits the bill is New Orleans. The state of New Orleans is unorthodox in its social, political and religion in contrast to the conservative southern region of the United States. Part of the ideology behind New Orleans is its notorious affiliation and practice with Voodoo.
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A majority view of nineteenth century Voodoo in New Orleans Voodoo came to media perception. Many Caucasian citizens in Louisiana at that time were familiar with role and impact Voodoo had in the Haitian Revolution, making Voodoo a seemingly dangerous practice and activity in the south. Voodoo. Voodoo became not only a platform for potential rebellion but its perceived notion of it being associated with evil worship, devil, sorcery and interracial assimilation proved all the more reason to restrict its growth and progress. Not only was it a potential breeding ground for rebellion, it was perceived as a horrifying brew of sorcery, devil worship, interracial fraternization and sexual license. Voodoo as a practice was never lawfully prohibited but federal and state official did occasionally raid Voodoo services; arresting participant for “disturbing the peace or unlawful assembly” . In the 1900’s, the Louisiana “reported the arrest of several persons of color and one white man 88 Long: Perceptions of Voodoo on a charge of holding illegal nighttime meetings for "occult practices and the idolatrous worship of an African deity called Voodoo” , as a consequence of the rapidly growing influence and fear of Voodoo leading the many to begin publicly denouncing it as a …show more content…
By the twentieth century many Caucasian Americans became more comfortable in their situation and with the idea of slavery. The perception of as frightening was now simply mere foolish superstition. A major influence in change in tide was the Civil Rights movement which altered race relations. Racism was still prominent but discrimination and segregation had become illegal leading to peoples attitudes catching up to the new reality. Through tolerance and Multiculturalism and becoming a norm, Whites accepted and found the practice of Voodoo alluring, while African Americans no longer needed to hide their African heritage or find it shameful. Voodoo had finally become accepted as a legitimate
A majority view of nineteenth century Voodoo in New Orleans Voodoo came to media perception. Many Caucasian citizens in Louisiana at that time were familiar with role and impact Voodoo had in the Haitian Revolution, making Voodoo a seemingly dangerous practice and activity in the south. Voodoo. Voodoo became not only a platform for potential rebellion but its perceived notion of it being associated with evil worship, devil, sorcery and interracial assimilation proved all the more reason to restrict its growth and progress. Not only was it a potential breeding ground for rebellion, it was perceived as a horrifying brew of sorcery, devil worship, interracial fraternization and sexual license. Voodoo as a practice was never lawfully prohibited but federal and state official did occasionally raid Voodoo services; arresting participant for “disturbing the peace or unlawful assembly” . In the 1900’s, the Louisiana “reported the arrest of several persons of color and one white man 88 Long: Perceptions of Voodoo on a charge of holding illegal nighttime meetings for "occult practices and the idolatrous worship of an African deity called Voodoo” , as a consequence of the rapidly growing influence and fear of Voodoo leading the many to begin publicly denouncing it as a …show more content…
By the twentieth century many Caucasian Americans became more comfortable in their situation and with the idea of slavery. The perception of as frightening was now simply mere foolish superstition. A major influence in change in tide was the Civil Rights movement which altered race relations. Racism was still prominent but discrimination and segregation had become illegal leading to peoples attitudes catching up to the new reality. Through tolerance and Multiculturalism and becoming a norm, Whites accepted and found the practice of Voodoo alluring, while African Americans no longer needed to hide their African heritage or find it shameful. Voodoo had finally become accepted as a legitimate