On April 18, 2017, Christian author Sarah Bessey took to twitter to open a discussion of misogyny in the church with the hashtag #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear. While it revealed much about the male privilege that is embedded in many ministries, it revealed an uglier truth: the conversation was largely by and for white women.
I guess #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear must have only applied to WHITE Christian women: https://t.co/YxDi8QuSqC
— D. Danyelle Thomas (@UnfitChristian) April 21, 2017
Despite the presence of women of color who tweeted within the hashtag, our voices were largely drowned out and marginalized. Subsequent media coverage of the Twitter conversation continued to erase our voices, featuring only one tweet from a woman of color (there were 27 tweets total). It reinforces that even in the church, feminism is still so white.
Triggered by the grievous oversight, Ekemini Uwan of Sistamatic Theology (@Sista_Theology) decided to end the silence. On Friday, April 21st, Uwan began #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear, a response to the ways Black Christian women suffer in public ministry and in the church.
Sistas, share your stories using the #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear. Even non-black WOC don’t understand how anti-black they can be.
— M.DivA (@sista_theology) April 21, 2017
Misogynoir & the Pulpit
Almost immediately, other Black women joined the chorus to share their experiences. Though misogyny is not exclusive to religious, many women took time to express the unique collusion of faith and patriarchy as ministers of the gospel.
We are glad you spoke at our conference.Please don’t mention our name with your talk so we don’t lose donors. #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— M.DivA (@sista_theology) April 21, 2017
Being disciplined for speaking directly while Becky (literally) is praised for being passive-aggressive #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Joan Nicole (@joan_nicole) April 22, 2017
“Race, gender, sexuality!! We’re working on it! Be patient. You can’t have everything all at once”#ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Optimus Fine (@sunnydaejones) April 21, 2017
It’s Black history month so we thought you’d have some ideas of what we should do #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— ILESHA GRAHAM (@cocospeaks) April 23, 2017
You are so articulate and poised. I thought you were going to get up there and scream, shout, and sass. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— M.DivA (@sista_theology) April 21, 2017
Maybe you should go back to school for a PhD so that you will have more respect among the men w/o MDivs. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— M.DivA (@sista_theology) April 21, 2017
Being disappointed by the ways Black preachers employ misogyny to get a shout from the congregation #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Joan Nicole (@joan_nicole) April 22, 2017
Misogynoir, Love, & Relationships
Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation if we didn’t get into the love lives of Black women. As it is everywhere, the church’s embedded sexism also works to pathologize the love lives of Black women. The hashtag included women who expressed their experiences with this as members and leaders of churches.
It’s your job to look good for your man and make sure he’s sexually satisfied or someone else will. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Mere-Mere Stravers (@mstravers) April 21, 2017
We need to make sure the men are served first. *after the women spent ALL DAY making the food.* #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Mere-Mere Stravers (@mstravers) April 21, 2017
Being threatened w/ perpetual singleness for not being willing to submit to a BM who already has it bad #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Joan Nicole (@joan_nicole) April 22, 2017
Being told to not bring up sexism because Black men have it hard enough in the world. #McScuseMe #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Joan Nicole (@joan_nicole) April 22, 2017
@sarahbessey Girl just wait for your Boaz #ThingsOnlyBLACKChristianWomenHear
— Prop (@prophiphop) April 19, 2017
Him: U just bought a house, own ur car & a doctor. You must not want to marry?
Me: *starts to explain self* ????#ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear— Vonnie G. (Dr. V) (@KonstantlyV08) April 24, 2017
It’s your responsibility to cover up so as not to entice the men in the church. #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— 8 is Great (@BlHistoryQueen) April 24, 2017
Women are at fault for being sexually harassed, they must’ve wanted it. #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— 8 is Great (@BlHistoryQueen) April 24, 2017
Racism, Politics, & The Church
There was a marked dissonance between #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear and #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear with the discussion of politics. Where white Christian women gave voice to the white male Christian privilege that is abundant in many Christian communities, the discussion among women of color highlighted that the guardians of white privilege are not always male. Moreover, it highlighted the tensions between parishioners and leaders regarding the silence of Black churches around current political issues.
White pastor: I’m voting for 45
Me: but he’s racist
white pastor: I haven’t seen any proof of that #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear— Jr. Arbovirologist (@KYT_ThatsME) April 23, 2017
Unarmed black man dies
*silence*
Abortion, veterans, gay people
*outrage emergency prayer meeting* SIGH #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear— Rose-Ingrid (@GraceDefined) April 22, 2017
Hearing sermons about being slow to speak when someone gets shot, but being told to speak for the unborn. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Armchair Commentary (@thearmchaircom) April 22, 2017
Church only caring that black people have abortions. Church silent on racism and white supremacy. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
— Armchair Commentary (@thearmchaircom) April 22, 2017
talking about racism is divisive. don’t you know that we’re all one in Christ? #thingsblackchristianwomenhear
— Cami Jones (@camijonesssss) April 22, 2017
“racism is a sin issue not a skin issue.” whaaaat does that even mean!? #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— Cami Jones (@camijonesssss) April 22, 2017
#ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear *Silence from white Christian friends about systemic racism*
— Lorrayya Williams (@epigenticschick) April 23, 2017
“Black Lives Matter? All Lives Matter? I don’t take a stance, because The only one who matters is Jesus!”#ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— Africana WomaNINJA (@MelanieCoMcCoy) April 23, 2017
#ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear ‘Racism can only be solved with Christ. There is no point in political activism.’
— Lorrayya Williams (@epigenticschick) April 23, 2017
why do you care so much about black lives matter? if they stayed in church then they wouldn’t have been shot #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— not here for it (@angelicatwin2) April 22, 2017
Why We Need #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear
I don’t get why you all had to make your own hashtag. #ThingsBlackChristianWomenHear
— DelaineTheBrain (@DelaineTheBrain) April 22, 2017
Certainly, there will be those who wonder why this conversation is necessary. For the women who excluded us from #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear and for the men who remain in vehement denial, Uwan shared the following:
Them: Why do you make everything so political?
Me: I’m a black woman. My very existence is political. #ThingsOnlyBlackChristianWomenHear— M.DivA (@sista_theology) April 21, 2017