This book offers resources for re-imagining the biblical vision of water for a time quickly emerging as “the century of water wars.” It takes its urgency from the author’s 5-year activist engagement with a grass-roots-led social movement, pushing back on Detroit water shutoffs as global climate crises intensify.
James W. Perkinson is a long-time activist/educator/poet from inner city Detroit, teaching as Professor of Social Ethics at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and lecturing in Intercultural Communication Studies at the University of Oakland (Michigan).
Introduction: Politics and Spirit in the Emerging Water War: Crossing Over and Coming Back.- Chapter 1 Water Monopoly at the Strait: White Supremacy and Biopower.- Chapter 2 Water Struggle along the Border: Settler Colonialism and Christian Dominion.- Chapter 3 Water Story around the Bend: The Windigo Monster and the Nanabozho Trickster.- Chapter 4 Water Spirituality beyond the Basin: Detroit Dwarf, Celt Hound, Afro-Orisha.- Chapter 5 Water Combat on the Coast: Canaanite Storm-Gods and Israelite Wind-Spirits.- Chapter 6 Water Divination around the Jordan: The Ford-Fight of Jacob and the Water-Test of Jesus.- Chapter 7 Water Prophecy from the Wadi: River-Rites, Fish-Signs, and Rain-Promises.- Chapter 8 Water Wars on a Living Planet: The Globe and the Strait.