Our Lady of Class Struggle: The Cult of the Virgin Mary in Haiti

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Thought-Provoking
Review: I have been a student of Dr. Rey's at Florida International University and his knowledge of Haitian religion and social climate is extensive. He is a bonifide expert. Not only has his research come from books, but his understanding is from his first hand experience living in Haiti for a time. This book is rich with history of the Caribbean slave trade, Haitian independence, and the social/political/religious turmoil of the 20th century. All these factors contribute to the way relationship between the Virgin and the Haitian people is percieved and how the Virgin is used by the elite and the underpriviledged. At the same time, there is the undeniable influence of the vibrant and empowering religion of Vodou, which fuses the Virgin with Ezili, "lwa" of sex, love, and beauty. To outsiders who frequently misunderstand or are outright prejudiced against the people poorer countries and/or African religion, this book provides an accurate picture of Haiti and teaches that one of the world's most beautiful, poetic, colorful, and life-affirming religions came from a people who suffered through great atrocities and oppression because all they had was their creativity and spirituality to sustain them.