Final Thoughts

Abstract

Embracing the black and beautiful self is demanding, transformative, and rewarding. Is this not how Scripture works in our lives? The black women we have encountered in this book, the biblical one and those who have read her story, direct us to think about what it means to be human, a good creation, in a world heartbroken by sin that dehumanizes so many based on color, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, and sexual orientation. They direct us to think about our humanity in theological and holy terms. Generally, when we speak of theological anthropology, we reflect on Genesis 1:26–28 where the Creator declares that humans are created male and female—and good—in God’s image. We have heard, over and over again, the affirmation that human creation is good. And, in spite of humans’ infliction of pain and suffering on all forms of creation and the incarnation of the most blatant forms of body-denying and death-dealing theologies and practices, I stand by this affirmation. Nevertheless, I want to propose that we require an epistemological shift for a womanist theological anthropology. I am persuaded that we need to reposition both the “Song of Songs,” particularly 1:5–6, and black women’s hardwon declaration that “I am black and beautiful” to the center of this effort.