Womanist Musings: Underrepresented and Overlooked in Religious Academia
The realm of religious academia has historically been a bastion of patriarchal and predominantly White institutions, leaving Black women scholars particularly marginalized. Despite their significant contributions to theology and religious studies, Black women in religious academia often find themselves undervalued and overlooked. This blog delves into the multifaceted challenges Black women face, exploring systemic biases, intersectionality, and the need for institutional change to foster a more inclusive academic environment.
Historical Context: The Long Road to Inclusion
The Legacy of Exclusion
The exclusion of Black women from academic institutions dates back to the era of slavery and segregation. Despite the abolition of slavery in 1865, educational opportunities for Black women were severely limited. For instance, Georgiana Rose Simpson, who earned her Ph.D. in 1921, was a pioneer, yet her achievement did not pave the way for widespread inclusion.
The Slow Progress Toward Tenure
It took several decades for Black women to gain a foothold in academia. Dr. Eileen Jackson Southern, who became the first African-American woman to achieve full professorship with tenure at Harvard in 1975, highlighted the prolonged struggle for recognition and advancement. This historical delay underscores the systemic barriers Black women have faced and continue to face in religious academia.
Systemic Barriers in Religious Academia
Intersectionality and Double Discrimination
Black women in religious academia experience discrimination on multiple fronts. The intersection of race and gender creates unique challenges that are often overlooked in discussions about diversity and inclusion. Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality illustrates how these overlapping identities exacerbate the marginalization of Black women, making it difficult for them to navigate academic spaces dominated by white men.
The Culture of Patriarchy and White Supremacy
Religious academia is not immune to the pervasive culture of patriarchy and white supremacy. These entrenched systems uphold barriers that hinder the progress of Black women scholars. The devaluation of their work, biased tenure processes, and exclusion from decision-making roles are just a few examples of how these systems manifest in academic settings.
The Tenure Track: An Uphill Battle
Disparities in Tenure and Promotion
Achieving tenure is a significant milestone in an academic career, yet Black women are grossly underrepresented among tenured faculty. According to recent data, only 2.1% of tenured associate and full professors at U.S. universities are Black women. This disparity highlights the systemic biases that persist in the tenure and promotion processes.
The Importance of Mentorship and Support Networks
Mentorship and support networks are crucial for navigating the tenure track. Black women often lack access to these resources, further exacerbating their challenges. Institutions must prioritize the establishment of mentorship programs that specifically address the unique needs of Black women in religious academia.
Contributions of Black Women Scholars
Groundbreaking Research and Scholarship
Despite the barriers, Black women scholars have made significant contributions to religious academia. Their research often intersects with social justice, exploring themes of Liberation Theology, Womanist Theology, and the role of the church in combating systemic oppression. Womanist Theology, with these additional perspectives, are invaluable for a holistic understanding of religious studies.
Bridging Academia and Community
Black women scholars often bridge the gap between academia and the community, using their research to address real-world issues. This community-engaged scholarship challenges the traditional ivory tower model of academia and highlights the relevance of religious studies in addressing contemporary social issues.
The Need for Institutional Change
Creating Inclusive Environments
Institutions must take proactive steps to create inclusive environments for Black women scholars. This includes revising hiring practices, promoting diversity in leadership positions, and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities. An inclusive academic environment benefits not only Black women but the entire academic community.
Addressing Implicit Bias
Implicit bias training is essential for faculty and administrators to recognize and address the subconscious prejudices that impact decision-making processes. By raising awareness and promoting equitable practices, institutions can begin to dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder the advancement of Black women in religious academia.
Conclusion: Moving Forward
The underrepresentation and undervaluation of Black women in religious academia is a complex issue rooted in historical and systemic inequalities. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes institutional change, support networks, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. By valuing the contributions of Black women scholars and creating equitable opportunities for advancement, we can move toward a more inclusive and just academic landscape.
Amanda Golden-Peace, The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2024
Bibliography
Crenshaw, Kimberlé. "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics." University of Chicago Legal Forum, vol. 1989, no. 1, 1989, pp. 139–167.
Himmelsbach, Vawn. "The Tenure Track Process in Academia." The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2019.
Southern, Eileen Jackson. The Music of Black Americans: A History. W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.
Additional Resources
Blogs
"Black Women in Academia" - Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
"The Academic's Guide to Intersectionality" - Inside Higher Ed
Articles
"The Role of Mentorship in the Advancement of Black Women in Academia" - Journal of Diversity in Higher Education
"Intersectionality and the Struggle for Tenure" - American Educational Research Journal
Videos
"The Intersectionality of Race and Gender in Academia" - TEDx Talks
"Breaking Barriers: Black Women in Higher Education" - YouTube