The Role of Black Women in the Church: A Wakandan View of Flourishing

From Christ and Pop Culture:

 “As bell hooks has pointed out, “When black people are talked about the focus tends to be on black men; and when women are discussed the focus tends to be on white women.” The same goes in evangelical spaces: black male pastors are called to speak on issues of race and justice. White middle-class women speak on gender and biblical womanhood. Complementarian or egalitarian, the voices are mainly white, male, or both.

Black women are almost never the first chosen models for what is considered a “desirable Christian leader.” Black women are too outspoken, too difficult, too obstinate, or too angry. The challenge of walking the tightrope between marketability and total truth-telling leads many black women to either opt out of or be erased from public ministry. Few prominent evangelical leaders mentor young black women, which mean our talents are less likely to be identified and highlighted to the types of groups and publishers needed to thrive in public ministry. There is generally a low view of justice and compassion ministries among evangelicals, so black women called to these areas have trouble finding employment or a market for their expertise. Yet, when opportunities do arise, the voices elevated are once again white or male.”