Simon of Cyrene A Case of Roman Conscription

"'Simon of Cyrene: A Case of Roman Conscription is a striking example of cultural studies at work. Operating from the social location of the contemporary African American reader, Dr. Crowder explores the implications of Simon of Cyrene's African heritage in both the first and twenty-first centuries. Simon, like the evangelist Luke, is dramatic. Her reading not only reiterates Jesus' alliance with the oppressed; it demonstrates just as forcefully how the plan of God draws the oppressed into transformative alliance with Jesus." (Brian K. Blount, Associate Professor of New Testament Princeton Theological Seminary)