'White Christian women are often incapable of working for the liberation of Black women and other marginalized peoples because they have not reckoned with their own oppression.'
Wow. This is really interesting stuff. I'm trying to work out how much is unique to an American context versus what the picture is in Europe, but as I can relate to a lot of the 'good girl' impulses and having spent a lot of my life (my twenties especially) looking to the approval of the Christian white male celebrity, I think I probably have to reckon with this myself.
I think disability has forced me into being more contentious than I would naturally be, and I am often reminded of the invisible barriers that I bump into.
I think in Europe/Britain the racism in churches is very much there - it's just not as openly spoken about as it is in America. That is changing, though, with people like Chine MacDonald leading the way here, and Ben Lindsay and Azariah France-Williams speaking up as men.
I think - I think - in Britain we need more volume on this. I feel like there are conversations, but they're not reaching the right people- I suspect they are being shut down. Church of England is especially proficient at paying lip service with speeches and then not really acting - it needs systemic change. And I do think that allies are people who do not name themselves as allies, but are recognised as such as the people they are supposed to be supporting. It is not something to claim but to earn.
I really appreciate this. It has got under my skin in the right way.
This truth hits home. Thank you for demonstrating - by articulating it - how to disrupt, name and call white women (like me) to right relationship and action. Justice requires courage, risk, and taking a stand despite what it costs us. Gratitude.
I hear you now that I am an invisible old white woman of privilege. Wow—I will seek to understand better and truly stand tall where I am. Thank you for your boldness, clarity, and wisdom.
Truth.. all of it. Another reason not to go to "white church" with colonized "church brain" people who embrace so much comfort (they don't want that disrupted!). I'm convinced a lot of it goes down to childhood brainstem formation and our model of Western prosperity that does not want to "rub" with anyone/anything that's not exactly like them. So, class elitism is also deeply woven into this, justified by "church model helping" of vulnerable group vs. doing life and community activism "with them". It's all perverted and follows 4th century Christian imperialistic ways... No one in business follows a 4th century model; but then, that's where we Westerners "separate our ideals"!!
It sure is! There’s this expectation that non-White men wait their turn, take it slow, and work for change at a pace that is comfortable for White men. White women often live by that approach and they expect people of color to do the same.
Yes, to all of this. We’re socialized to connect our resources to white men, instead of turning toward other women. It’s fawning on a massive scale. Your wisdom that we’ve never broken out of the cult of womanhood is so powerful. Thanks for all of this.
Powerful words. Thank you for your clarity and courage.
'White Christian women are often incapable of working for the liberation of Black women and other marginalized peoples because they have not reckoned with their own oppression.'
Wow. This is really interesting stuff. I'm trying to work out how much is unique to an American context versus what the picture is in Europe, but as I can relate to a lot of the 'good girl' impulses and having spent a lot of my life (my twenties especially) looking to the approval of the Christian white male celebrity, I think I probably have to reckon with this myself.
I think disability has forced me into being more contentious than I would naturally be, and I am often reminded of the invisible barriers that I bump into.
I think in Europe/Britain the racism in churches is very much there - it's just not as openly spoken about as it is in America. That is changing, though, with people like Chine MacDonald leading the way here, and Ben Lindsay and Azariah France-Williams speaking up as men.
I think - I think - in Britain we need more volume on this. I feel like there are conversations, but they're not reaching the right people- I suspect they are being shut down. Church of England is especially proficient at paying lip service with speeches and then not really acting - it needs systemic change. And I do think that allies are people who do not name themselves as allies, but are recognised as such as the people they are supposed to be supporting. It is not something to claim but to earn.
I really appreciate this. It has got under my skin in the right way.
This truth hits home. Thank you for demonstrating - by articulating it - how to disrupt, name and call white women (like me) to right relationship and action. Justice requires courage, risk, and taking a stand despite what it costs us. Gratitude.
I hear you now that I am an invisible old white woman of privilege. Wow—I will seek to understand better and truly stand tall where I am. Thank you for your boldness, clarity, and wisdom.
Truth.. all of it. Another reason not to go to "white church" with colonized "church brain" people who embrace so much comfort (they don't want that disrupted!). I'm convinced a lot of it goes down to childhood brainstem formation and our model of Western prosperity that does not want to "rub" with anyone/anything that's not exactly like them. So, class elitism is also deeply woven into this, justified by "church model helping" of vulnerable group vs. doing life and community activism "with them". It's all perverted and follows 4th century Christian imperialistic ways... No one in business follows a 4th century model; but then, that's where we Westerners "separate our ideals"!!
#DefundWhiteChurch
This reminds me of white women who criticized Zohran Mamdani as too ambitious.
I’m realizing this is just a “nice” or “gentle” or “well behaved” version of the bigotry spewed by so many of us white men.
It sure is! There’s this expectation that non-White men wait their turn, take it slow, and work for change at a pace that is comfortable for White men. White women often live by that approach and they expect people of color to do the same.
I have a lot to learn and I think of myself as an ally…still learning and
Still listening to your words Dr.
Yes, to all of this. We’re socialized to connect our resources to white men, instead of turning toward other women. It’s fawning on a massive scale. Your wisdom that we’ve never broken out of the cult of womanhood is so powerful. Thanks for all of this.
We’re socialized to connect our resources to white men, instead of turning toward other women.
Whew!