PERKINSON, JAMES W.

(1951– )

Professor of philosophy and religious studies at Ecumenical Theological College, Detroit. Perkinson is the author ofShamanism, Racism, and Hip Hop Culture(2005) in which he argues that hip hop culture is shamanic because it continues an indigenousAfricandiasporic shamanic andtricksterpractice of taking that which oppresses people (i.e., “spirits”) andmasteringit tohealthe community. Simultaneously, he argues that the dominant white culture of the United States is a form ofwitchcraft.