Written by: Gloria Johnson Chaplain at Berea College of Kentucky.

Written by: Gloria JohnsonWritten by: Gloria Johnson

Chaplain at Berea College of KentuckyChaplain at Berea College of Kentucky

Limitations of Feminist TheologyLimitations of Feminist Theology

“…White feminists common assumption that all women are in the same situation with respect to sexism is difficult to understand when history so clearly tells us a different story….”

*White women’s and Black women’s experiences are not the same

~Slavery

~Segregation

Black Women’s Experience Black Women’s Experience During SlaveryDuring Slavery

*considered property

*like the Black men who had to withstand physical and psychological violence of slave existence

*White women are identified as members of the oppressor class due to terms given to them from the Black women such as “misus” and “mistress”

*The Victorian concept of ladyhood not applied

After SlaveryAfter Slavery

“The end of slavery as a formal, legal institution brought neither change in the image of nor significant change in the condition of Black people in the United States. The image that Blacks were inferior and that they were intended to service white America remained intact.”

Black vs. White ExperienceBlack vs. White Experience

Black women’s experience involves:

1. Racism

2. Sexism

3. Classism

*Racism: white women should be protected from work and therefore be supervisors and oversee household functions

*Sexism: not only did the general public look down upon women, especially black women, but the black woman was also looked down upon by the black man within the community

Feminist Theology As RacistFeminist Theology As Racist

*Most feminists are white~Defined movement for all

* “They have misnamed

themselves by calling themselves feminists when in fact they are white feminists”

~survival issues vs. fulfillment issues~negative imagery of black women

……it’s not the same…it’s not the same…

* Deborah Hines quoted, “Black women find it extremely difficult to ally themselves with those who say, “We have all suffered the same” when we know it isn’t so”

* Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, suggested that the difference between White and Black women is so extreme that the word “womanist” is more appropriate for Black women

* Womanist ~ Being and acting out who you are~To be independent of White and Black men

The Black Woman’s FaithThe Black Woman’s Faith

*Source of a survival which has strengthened them to struggle against the odds

* Hagar, slave woman from the bible, portrays the equivalent of the Black woman’s experience

*Jesus is freedom

*To prevail over sexism, racism, and classism and ensure dignity: love, justice, & community

Not just Racism, but Classism tooNot just Racism, but Classism too

*Make up a high percentage of the poor and working classes

*Not only are marginalized, but also discriminated

*Bottom of the social and economic ladder

The BibleThe Bible

* Considered to be a major source for religious validation in their lives~God’s direct revelation to

them

~God’s indirect revelation to them through reading and interpreting with their own experiences

* God delivered the Israelites: they would be delivered as well

* Interplay of scripture and experience was exercised

~Only way some things can make sense to the oppressed

Role of JesusRole of Jesus

Divine sufferer & central frame of reference

“As Jesus was persecuted and made to suffer undeservedly, so were they. His suffering culminated in the crucifixion. Their crucifixion included rape, and babies being sold.”

Sojourner Truth always put Jesus as the starting point in her sermons:“Praise, praise, praise to the Lord! An’ I begun to feel such a love in my soul as I never felt before—love to all creatures. An’ then, all of a sudden, it stopped, an’ I said, Dar’s de white folks that have abused you, an’ beat you, an’ abused your people—think o’ them! But then there came another rush of love through my soul, an’ I cried out loud— “Lord, I can love even de white folks!”

Black Jesus?Black Jesus?

* Can identify so well with “the least” that he becomes Black

* The least in America are literally and symbolically present in Black people

*Inspires active hope in the struggle of others

* Not universally accepted