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Dividing Stereotyping And Religion: The Legal Implications Of The Ambiguous References To Voodoo In U.S. Court Proceedings., Danielle N. Boaz

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

In human rights law, freedom of religion generally possesses three main components: the right to freedom of thought and conscience, freedom to manifest religion or beliefs, and freedom to profess, disseminate, or share religion or beliefs. The latter two are typically subject to restrictions such as public safety, health, morals, and the rights and freedoms of others. They are also the two most often litigated components. For centuries, colonizers deprived practitioners of their freedom of religion in the Americas – specifically African-based traditions, such as Voodoo. Stereotypes about Voodoo, which stem from early colonizer observance and belief that Haitians were …