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In Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo, the 'dancing fever' of Jes Grew is sometimes likened to a religion. PaPa LaBas and Black Herman say that dancing has been part of the "race soul" for thousands of years. Specifically, Jes Grew gets likened to Judeo-Christian faiths--which were historically oppressed. In Papa Labas's and Black Herman's argument with Abdul, we see the deconstruction of these institutions however, as their inconsistencies are put on display by the three.
However, another layer lies beyond the initial facade-- the fact that another strain of Jes Grew has already happened successfully, and has already taken over an entire state [queue dramatic music]
Folks, I'm talking about Mormonism--the white version of Jes Grew. Basically the religion is like Christianity with an America expansion DLC. First, some history--
According to scripture translated from golden plates found in the ground that can only be read out of a hat by one man, ancient Hebrews somehow ended up in North America. Things happened, they split into groups, God punished one tribe with "the Curse of Black Skin", to mark them of impurity. (not making this up, it's in there)
One of the ancient people wrote all of this down on golden plates, which got passed down and ended up being discovered by Joseph Smith who got this whole thing started.
Then, because people started declaring open season on Mormons Brigham Young led the Mormons to Utah, where they remain the dominant population.
So how does this relate to Jes Grew? Well think about it, it's a cultural phenomena that sprouted out of nowhere, equally as ridiculous to the general public, but equally as important to its followers. However, since Mormons are white, once they managed to make it to Utah, nobody bothered with them anymore, whereas blacks were persecuted relentlessly.
(Note: Any anti-Mormon sentiment is purely for comedic purposes and does not necessarily reflect the author's views. However, please do not send Mormon missionaries to the author's house as he very much does not want to receive them, thank you.)
However, another layer lies beyond the initial facade-- the fact that another strain of Jes Grew has already happened successfully, and has already taken over an entire state [queue dramatic music]
Folks, I'm talking about Mormonism--the white version of Jes Grew. Basically the religion is like Christianity with an America expansion DLC. First, some history--
According to scripture translated from golden plates found in the ground that can only be read out of a hat by one man, ancient Hebrews somehow ended up in North America. Things happened, they split into groups, God punished one tribe with "the Curse of Black Skin", to mark them of impurity. (not making this up, it's in there)
One of the ancient people wrote all of this down on golden plates, which got passed down and ended up being discovered by Joseph Smith who got this whole thing started.
Then, because people started declaring open season on Mormons Brigham Young led the Mormons to Utah, where they remain the dominant population.
So how does this relate to Jes Grew? Well think about it, it's a cultural phenomena that sprouted out of nowhere, equally as ridiculous to the general public, but equally as important to its followers. However, since Mormons are white, once they managed to make it to Utah, nobody bothered with them anymore, whereas blacks were persecuted relentlessly.
(Note: Any anti-Mormon sentiment is purely for comedic purposes and does not necessarily reflect the author's views. However, please do not send Mormon missionaries to the author's house as he very much does not want to receive them, thank you.)
I think there is definitely a religious parallel to be made to Jes Grew, whether it is to the Mormons, or just religion itself I totally agree. I also agree with your analysis of some of the differences, there is the same "disgust factor" in both, (e.g. dancing vs. polygamy) but one is white while the other isn't. Well written and quite amusing.
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ReplyDeleteComparing Jes Grew to a religion makes some sense to me, but the way it spreads and takes over the US is still more like an illness. However, it is worshiped and loved in some ways and it gives life to the recipients such that an illness never would, but a religion could very well do. I will have to think about this for a while, though, because I think Mormonism may not be the best example. (I'm now struggling to come up with the name of the Protestant sect that swept New England in early America and that said that everyone had a purpose but maybe I'm just making it up because I can't find it in a US History study guide. Oh well.)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I deleted the first version of the comment because I edited it to fix a typo.
Wait--so this maybe explains why the NBA team from Utah is called the Jazz. That's never made sense to me before! They used to be the New Orleans Jazz, which makes sense. But I hadn't realized that there's clearly evidence here of a Mormon/Wallflower Order co-optation of Jes Grew basketball culture going on!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Mormonism is the best parallel to Jes Grew. One major difference is that it relies heavily on a set of texts, whereas Jes Grew is more improvisational and can't rely on a text. The Mormons have been more integrated into mainstream society, maybe because that reliance on a text lets Atonist thinkers view it as a legitimate religion.
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