"A Clarion Call for Black Women"

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The aftermath of the 2024 election is a defining moment for Black women, compelling us to confront the profound influence of institutional religion on our lives and choices. For generations, Black women have been pillars of faith communities, often finding a sense of belonging, resilience, and identity within these spaces. Yet, this alignment with institutional religion has come at a cost. While churches and religious structures have been sanctuaries, they have also imposed expectations that often restrict our autonomy, shaping our identities to fit within the confines of certain doctrines and hierarchies. This dual role of the church—as both refuge and restraint—deserves renewed scrutiny.

This recent election starkly illuminates the incongruity between our deep loyalty to these institutions and the ways they reflect that loyalty in practice. Despite the majority support for a figure associated with moral and societal conflicts over a qualified Black female candidate, Black women remain deeply enmeshed in religious institutions. This outcome speaks volumes about how these institutions, in their current forms, may uphold frameworks that still do not honor Black women’s full humanity. They shape political and social norms that implicitly or explicitly support the very systems that have failed to uplift, respect, or fully empower 

Black women.

The persistent loyalty to religious institutions—while they tacitly endorse a society that disregards Black women’s autonomy and voices—presents a painful paradox. For Black women, a reflection on this loyalty reveals a clear need for spaces of spiritual liberation, where religious affiliation does not dictate social or political allegiance. By questioning these long-standing affiliations and seeking spaces that prioritize personal autonomy and respect for our unique identities, Black women can move toward a more authentic, self-determined spiritual journey, breaking away from systems that have neither empowered nor protected our full personhood. This shift is essential not just for spiritual freedom but for reclaiming a holistic sense of identity that is free from institutional constraints.

Our Spiritual Roots Run Deep

The roots of this loyalty run deep. Historically, religious institutions provided one of the few spaces where Black women could gather, find solace, and affirm their worth amid a world that devalued them. But over time, this reliance has often restricted the development of personal spiritual autonomy. With so much faith placed in these systems, the disappointment is profound when they fail to uphold the values they preach—love, justice, and integrity—especially for those who have given so much to sustain them.

When the choice is between a morally compromised leader and a Black woman of integrity, and the institution aligns with the former, it’s a painful message: no matter how strong our faith, dedication, or contributions, our worth may still be undermined by a preference for the familiar structures of power and privilege that exclude us. This dynamic isn’t just a single incident; it reflects a pattern of erasure that reveals how institutional religion, for all its stated values, often holds allegiance to structures that do not truly honor Black women.

This moment challenges us to reconsider our spiritual landscapes. By examining our attachments to institutions that have historically marginalized us, we may find a path toward building spaces and practices that center our autonomy, spiritual freedom, and worth. Creating such a shift isn’t about abandoning faith but about reshaping our spiritual identities outside of institutions that have shown they are unwilling or unable to reciprocate our loyalty with genuine respect. This introspection can lead to a reclamation of our spiritual journeys, empowering Black women to define and lead their own spiritual narratives, free from systems that prioritize their loyalty without acknowledging their inherent value.

Dr. Dorothy W. Parker (Transformation Specialist)