Diaspora Violence, Intersectionality, Dissent, and the Hebrew Bible

Abstract This chapter assesses narratives in the Hebrew Bible that depict violence against African diasporic people, emphasizing the critical role of intersectionality in understanding the layered oppressions they endure. Through close textual analysis, it reveals how African diasporic individuals—particularly girls, women, and eunuchs—are subjected to systemic abuse, trafficking, and coerced sexual performances, often at the hands of powerful figures such as kings, patriarchs, and even the deity. These portrayals reflect a disturbing absence of dissenting voices, suggesting complicity and silence in the face of atrocity. Such depictions not only contest and erase the personhood of African diasporic people but also mirror contemporary patterns of diaspora violence, reinforcing ideologies that legitimize racial and gendered oppressions. By framing these biblical accounts within the horror genre, the text challenges readers to confront the monstrous nature of both ancient and modern systems that perpetuate violence. It calls for counter-readings that affirm the intrinsic worth, agency, and resilience of African diasporic communities, insisting that their contributions to sacred and secular histories be recognized. The chapter advocates for a dismantling of dominant interpretive traditions that normalize brutality and urges a reimagining of sacred texts that centers Africana dignity and liberation.