Liberation Theology Con’t 4.11.17

Religion, Race and Identity

MLK Jr, Black Theology and Black Church — article What is Cone’s argument about the relationship between King, the black church, and scholarship? King Interview (6 min) Who is King’s audience in this video? How do his answers reflect that? (411) How does Cone argue that King’s actions demonstrate his connections to the black church? SCLC & Ebenezer Baptist (412) Critique of Civil Rights Movement and Southern white ministers (415) Cone’s argument about oppression: “Freedom is not a gift but must be taken” (416)

Cone, King & Black Theology Cone differs from King in the following ways: Believes that any mean, not just non-violence, should be used to achieve freedom Believes that “the people who benefit from the unjust social, political, and economic order are not likely to be the ones who will change it radically (416) “…groups seldom, if ever, can transcend their interests for the sake of another” (416) Contends that differences between he and King are understood better within the context of the Black Church

freedom and hope Significance of the “eschatological hopes freedom” found in King’s diction (417) Cosmic peace? Who does this appeal to? How do you this this is King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” sermon? Key to understanding King’s theology is understanding the relationship between style and meaning (417) Meaning is found in the way the word is spoke, as well as the effect upon those who hear it Style is reflected in sermon oration

Womanist THeology Delores Williams (1937 - ) MA Columbia University, PhD from Union Theological Seminary Book: Sisters in the Wilderness (1983) Reimagines the story of Hagar; “illuminates the importance of issues of reproduction and surrogacy in black women’s oppression”

Womanist theology Womanist — term derived from Alice Walker’s (The Color Purple) writings Expanded by Williams and others Extension / response to Cone’s Black Liberation theology and feminism Definition as given by Walker and Williams “Allows women to claim their roots in black history, religion, and culture” Female center Speaks to feminism’s problem with intersectionality

Intersectionality "The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” Malcolm X - May 22, 1962 Intersectionality: study of intersections between forms or systems of oppression, domination or discrimination race, religion, nationality, class, sexuality, physical ability, age

DElores WIlliams’ Article Emphasizes black women’s culture and way of being in the world Affirms black women’s historical connection with men through love and shared struggle of survival Two principal concerns: survival community building and maintenance Womanist determination to love themselves “Deep shade of difference between feminism and womanism” Gives womanist theorists freedom without being deigned by work of white feminists Rejects homophobia, colorism, classism, promotes male-female equity

Womanist theology & Method Four elements of Christian Womanist Theology Multi-dialogical intent Liturgical Intent Didactic Intent Commitment to imagery and metaphorical language Importance of “the spirit” of Black communal worship “If Christ Identified himself with the poor and the oppressed, then today he identifies in particular with black women, triply oppressed by racism, sexism and poverty” Rabouteau, 129