In honor of Black History Month in February, we wanted to reach out to the ladies of Truth’s Table – a resourceful Christian podcast that is “Built by Black Women and for Black Women. Their mission is to center the issues, joys, and concerns of Black women while glorifying God. The podcast was started by Michelle Higgins, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina Edmondson. In this interview, we dive into progression in the Black community, current challenges, and motherhood.
We hope you as a reader can connect and share the mission of Truth’s Table with others. Now, let’s get into the interview!
MVW: There are many issues that impact black women in the church today. Reflecting on the past, how far do you think we’ve come when it comes to being black in America?
Ekemini: We’ve come a long way by the grace of God and the fierce activism and perseverance of the saints who have gone before us. Saints like Maria W. Stewart, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta Scott King, and countless others paved the path for us. They walked so that we can run and although there are still stumbling blocks in our path, they are not boulders and we are grateful for that.
Christina: I would agree with Ekemini. We know that progress is not inevitable and that all sin must be resisted. When we don’t see the warranted response to social sins which is repentance and restorative justice we expect to see social sins morph but not go away over time. At the end of the day, we aren’t wrestling with people or policies but principalities. Certainly, these principalities show up politically and relationally but we are still called to win our fellow image-bearers with truth and grace. We will strive against sin until we are in Heaven but we can rejoice now for every good redemptive hope or correction that we see.
Michelle: It’s true, the saints have come this far by faith *sings* leaning on the Lord!! But we know that the fight is not done. Blackness in the United States is still treated as novel or negative. Humanizing Blackness means continuing to decriminalize it. And the church has a long way to go in understanding intersectionality: colorism and gender identity for instance.
MVW: You all chatted about colorism on one of your episodes. We’re in 2019, yet this problem still exists. How can women who are victims of colorism overcome? How can we stop this form of discrimination?
Ekemini: As one who has dealt with colorism my entire life. The key is to stop internalizing the messages of inferiority that come from within our community and outside of our community. One way to do that is to find Scriptures that affirm who God has made you. You must speak the Word over yourself and pray that God would dislodge the lie within your soul that says “Dark is NOT lovely.” It is a lie from the pit of hell and it dishonors God when we do not love ourselves and delight in who God has made us to be. Melanin is glorious and God ordained it to be so.
Christina: Agreeing with God about the diversity of beauty within in his human creation is a starting point. The scripture compels us to ask the Lord to search us and expose and uproot our own biases. This is a daily prayer that brings awareness, lament, and transformation as we grapple with our own biases. Colorism ultimately is about the distribution of privileges, access, and acceptance, based on mythological standards. Every injustice requires us to ask ourselves what I am I willing to give up to make this right. What privilege, access, and acceptance am I willing to make explicit and forgo for the good of my neighbor and the dismantling of the lie of color based value.
Michelle: AMEN! Black Liberation ethics teach me that the value of freedom must first be taught in the home. Raising a generation of “color brave” babies is as critical to defeating colorism as representation and empowerment from local neighborhoods to national media.
Ladies of Truth’s Table (From left to right – Christina Edmondson, Michelle Higgins, Ekemini Uwan) Photo Credit: Brittany Fan
MVW: Talk a little about what it’s like to be a Black mother. Are there challenges that you face in today’s society? Why is it important to leave a legacy for your children?
Christina: Mothering is single-handedly the most humbling task I undertake daily. God has such a sense of humor in that he shows me much of myself in and through my children. As a mom of two black girls, I am always negotiating the balance of strength and empowerment with tenderness and compassion as I prepare them for a culture that is both racist and misogynistic.
Michelle: Last week I was in the grocery store with my two children, an old white woman rolled her cart up beside me and said, “We will never have any peace with all you n*****s and your loud n****r kids around here.” She lingered and stared at us for a minute or so. I am still walking my children through this. I am still walking through it. Stony the road we trod.
MVW: You all have recently started recording season 3 of your podcast. What can listeners expect?
Ekemini: You all can expect lots of joy and truth flowing from the table. We hope to model what the Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 6:10, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing…”
Christina: We have some episodes that are just pure fun this time around or at least they start that way. It’s helpful for people to know that we don’t just talk politics, theology, or injustice. We are whole people with many interests, insecurities, and joys.
Michelle: I am excited about our continuing un-named but very real campaign to normalize blessings in the storm. All of the laughter our sisters will experience with us is as real as the fears and frustrations we share. This season feels deeply grounded in faith – that blessed, powerful substance that enriches us with the evidence of things unseen.
MVW: Where can ladies find your podcast?
Truth’s Table: You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts.
You can also connect with Christina, Ekemini, and Michelle on their official Truth’s Table social media pages.
Twitter: @truthstable Instagram: @truthstable Facebook: @TruthsTable
To learn more about the mission visit truthstable.com
Thanks for reading Marvette! It’s certainly appreciated!