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Sexuality and the Black Church Womanist Perspective: Empowering Black Women through Intersectional Liberation

Kelly Blair

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Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective

by Kelly Brown Douglas

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	884 KB
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Print length	:	176 pages

The intersection of sexuality, religion, and Black women's identity has long been a topic of fascination and debate. The Black Church, a central institution within the African American community, has played a significant role in shaping Black women's experiences of sexuality, both positively and negatively.

This article explores the complex relationship between sexuality and the Black Church through a Womanist perspective. Womanism, a theological and social movement that originated in the experiences of Black women, offers a unique lens through which to understand the ways in which Black women's sexuality is shaped by both the Church and by the broader socio-political context.

Historical Context

The history of sexuality in the Black Church is deeply intertwined with the history of race and gender in America. During slavery, Black women were often seen as sexual objects, and their bodies were subjected to violence and exploitation.

After emancipation, the Black Church became a space where Black women could find refuge and support. However, the Church's teachings on sexuality were often based on patriarchal and heteronormative assumptions, which limited Black women's ability to express their sexuality freely.

Womanist Perspective

Womanism is a theological and social movement that emerged in the 1980s as a response to the limitations of both feminism and Black theology. Womanism centers the experiences of Black women and emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, which recognizes that Black women's experiences are shaped by multiple factors, including race, gender, class, and sexuality.

From a Womanist perspective, sexuality is a sacred and integral part of Black women's identity. Black women's sexuality is not something to be feared or repressed, but rather something to be celebrated and embraced.

Intersectional Liberation

One of the most important aspects of the Womanist perspective is its emphasis on intersectional liberation. Intersectional liberation recognizes that Black women's experiences of sexuality are not monolithic, but rather are shaped by a variety of factors, including race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.

To achieve intersectional liberation, it is necessary to address the multiple forms of oppression that Black women face. This includes challenging racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.

The Black Church and Intersectional Liberation

The Black Church has the potential to be a powerful force for intersectional liberation. By embracing a Womanist perspective, the Church can create a more welcoming and inclusive space for Black women of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The Black Church can also play a role in challenging the broader social and political forces that oppress Black women. By advocating for policies that promote economic justice, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights, the Church can help to create a more just and equitable world for all Black women.

The relationship between sexuality and the Black Church is complex and ever-evolving. However, through a Womanist perspective, we can begin to understand the ways in which Black women's sexuality is shaped by both the Church and by the broader socio-political context.

By embracing intersectional liberation, the Black Church can become a more welcoming and inclusive space for Black women of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Church can also play a role in challenging the broader social and political forces that oppress Black women, and in creating a more just and equitable world for all.

References

Cone, J. H. (1994). The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1),139-167.
Hill, L. M. (2002). The Black Church in the African American Community: Issues and Trends. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press.
hooks, b. (2004). Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.
Lorde, A. (1978). The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House. In Sister Outsider (pp. 110-114). New York, NY: Crossing Press.