I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation (Prophetic Christianity)

by Chanequa Walker-Barnes

Genuine racial reconciliation, then, does not begin with soothsaying. More often than not, it begins with a curse. Like Celie, victims of racial oppression must boldly proclaim the truth of their experiences and demand justice and accountability. And, as I will demonstrate shortly, oppressors must use that proclamation as a mirror in which to see the truth about themselves and as an opportunity for repentance. Indeed, many understandings of racial reconciliation emphasize repentance from White supremacy as the critical response to truth-telling. After all, it makes sense that repentance follows confession. However, placing our primary emphasis upon the transformative work that must happen for White Christians in racial reconciliation actually reinforces White supremacy. When we prioritize the narratives of women of color, we realize that the victims of racial oppression have considerable work of their own to do, work that is both independent of and connected to that of White repentance. This is the work of liberation and healing.