Who Am I?

Who Am I? 

Navigating Identity and Belonging in a Complex World – A Black, Womanist, and Queer Theological Perspective

As you read, be mindful that the terms theology and theological simply refer to the study and understanding of God, faith, and their relationship to your world and life. Throughout the history of religious faith, human beings have always read Scripture in the light of their lived experiences. Your experience is just one among an infinite variety of perspectives.

Warning! What follows is NOT the last word of being and belonging to Christ Jesus. So, remember to keep returning for a fuller picture of the love, joy, and peace of the King of kings.

Identity is an ever-evolving journey, particularly for Christian youth who find themselves at the intersection of faith, culture, and social pressures. The quest to answer ‘Who am I?’ is not just personal but deeply communal and theological. It touches on questions of belonging, purpose, and the inherent tension between individual agency and communal expectations. As philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once said, ‘The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly the one you'll never have.’ For many youth, the future they dream of may seem distant, shaped by external expectations rather than an authentic, self-rooted vision. 

The Struggle for Belonging in a World of Divisions

For Black and queer youth, the struggle for identity and belonging is layered with the complexities of racial, gender, and sexual dynamics. In the context of Black theology and Womanist thought, as discussed by theologians like Anthony Reddie and Delores S. Williams, identity is not just a personal matter but a communal one. Reddie’s work explores how Black Christian identity is shaped by both a history of oppression and a theology of liberation, which calls on individuals to affirm their dignity and humanity in the face of systemic forces that seek to diminish them.

Reddie emphasises the idea of belonging to the community of faith, which is not simply about fitting in but about being fully known and loved in your authentic self. He argues that ‘faith without justice is a faith that does not speak to the real pain of the world,’ a sentiment that resonates deeply with Black youth who often find themselves at odds with a society that devalues their identity. This is a theological invitation to claim one's place within the church and broader society, not as an outsider but as one who is integral to the fabric of God’s creation.

A Womanist and Queer Theological Perspective

Womanist theology is a way of understanding God that centres the experiences of Black women and those who are often left out of the traditional church.

Womanist theology helps us understand how people’s identities are shaped by their experiences, especially for Black women and queer individuals who face multiple kinds of unfair treatment. Scholars like Delores S. Williams and Renita Weems encourage youth to see their identities not as a problem but as powerful tools to fight back against injustice. Williams teaches that it’s not just about surviving, but thriving and using one’s identity as a form of resistance.

Queer theology works in a similar way by challenging the way society and the church tell us how we should be based on gender and sexuality. Jarel Robinson-Brown, in his book Black, Gay, British, Christian: Queer the Church and the Famine of Grace, talks about the challenges Black queer youth face in church and society. He says these young people have a chance to change what it means to belong and to find their true identity, not by following society’s rules, but by creating their own way of being free and inclusive. He writes:  ‘The church, in its rejection of Black queer bodies, has left them in a famine of grace... Queer theology calls for a re-imagining of human flourishing that embraces all expressions of sexuality and identity, particularly those marginalised by both church and state. ‘

When you put Blackness, Womanism, and Queerness together, you get a way of thinking that values everyone, especially those who are often pushed aside. It’s about recognising and affirming all identities in a faith community, not trying to fit everyone into old, traditional ideas. This view shows that youth, especially those who are Black or queer, can find freedom by being themselves. Instead of being defined with society’s labels, they can redefine who they are and find belonging in a more inclusive church.

Faith in the Midst of Crisis

For Christian youth grappling with existential crises, faith offers both a grounding and a calling. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul writes, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This verse is a powerful affirmation that our identities are divinely created and that we are not defined by the chaos around us or by society’s standards. Instead, we are invited to take part in a larger narrative of justice, love, and community that transcends the limitations of identity imposed by the world.

Katie Geneva Cannon notes that womanist theology provides a space where Black women—and, by extension, Black queer youth—can develop an identity rooted in both resistance and belonging. Cannon’s vision offers a way for young people to see themselves as co-creators of their faith, living out a theology that affirms their existence as children of God, deserving of love and acceptance just as they are.

A Call to Action: Reclaiming Identity and Belonging

The challenge for youth—especially those navigating multiple layers of marginalisation—is to reclaim their sense of identity and belonging, both in the world and in the faith community. As theologians like Reddie and Beckford suggest, this reclamation is not about retreating from society but about standing firm in one's identity, shaped by both faith and lived experiences. This approach invites Christian youth to resist harmful stereotypes and oppressive systems, affirming that they are deeply loved and valued in the eyes of God.

Brené Brown puts it this way: ‘True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.’ However, you identify this is a radical call to embrace your fullness, unapologetically and boldly, within the Church and in the world.

Why?

In a world that often wants to define you based on your race, gender, or sexuality: How does society make you feel like you don’t belong sometimes? What does it mean for you to embrace your true self as a child of God? What does it mean to belong to a community that embraces all of who you are?

Share your thoughts—how do you navigate your identity and belonging in a world that often seeks to divide you? Let’s start the conversation. Your story is worth sharing.

References 

Williams, Delores S. Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk. Orbis Books, 1993. - This foundational text in Womanist theology offers insights into how Black women and marginalised groups engage with theology, especially in contexts of oppression and resistance.

Reddie, Anthony G. Theologising Brexit: The Church, the Nation and the Future of Europe. Springer, 2021. - Reddie’s work on the intersection of Black theology and socio-political contexts provides a rich framework for understanding the communal aspects of identity and belonging.

Robinson-Brown, Jarel. Black, Gay, British, Christian: Queer the Church and the Famine of Grace. SCM Press, 2020. - This book offers a personal and theological exploration of the challenges faced by Black queer youth in the church and society, emphasising the need for inclusion and spiritual freedom.

Weems, Renita J. Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible. Harper & Row, 1988. - Weems examines biblical stories through a womanist lens, offering insights into how Black women’s experiences shape their identity and faith.

Brown, Brené. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone. Random House, 2017. - Brown’s work on belonging provides a psychological and social perspective that complements theological reflections on the importance of self-acceptance and community inclusion.

Cannon, Katie Geneva. Katie's Womanist Theology: Faith, Sexuality, and Social Justice. Oxford University Press, 2011. - Cannon’s vision of womanist theology explores the intersection of faith, identity, and social justice, providing a framework for understanding the lives of Black women and queer individuals.

Yancy, George. Black Bodies, White Gazes: The Continuing Significance of Race in America. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2008. - Although not directly theological, this book examines race and identity from a critical standpoint that informs discussions on Black identity and belonging, particularly in religious spaces.