Seeing Together
Motivated by the enduring legacy of racial segregation, theol ogian Erica Whitaker seeks to make “whiteness” in churches visibl e. She proposes pathways toward ecclesial reform, reconciliation and an antiracist Christian moral vision.
In her dissertat ion Whitaker examines how “whiteness” shapes predominantly white Baptist worship spaces in the United States and how it influences Bap tist theology and church life. Her work addresses urgent issues of sy stemic racism, Christian nationalism and ecclesial complicity.
“Here, whiteness refers not simply to race,” Whitaker says, “bu t to a cultural and visual system that presents white norms as neutra l, pure, and authoritative. My study explores how whiteness functions as an often-unseen organizing structure that can distort Christian u nderstandings of God, creation, authority and belonging.”
“My most important conclusion is this: whiteness often works best when no one notices it. When som ething feels “normal” or “just the way things are,” we rarely question it. But in many white churches, ideas, images and leadershi p styles have quietly centered white experiences and treated them as the standard for everyone. That has real consequences for who feels s een, valued, and close to God.
“Simply noticing this problem is not enough. White scholars and churches must take responsibility f or changing it. That means listening seriously to Black voices and ot her people who have experienced racism. It also means rethinking thin gs that may seem small - like pictures of a white Jesus - but actuall y shape how we imagine God and authority.”
More information o n the thesis
DESCRIPTION: Motivated by the enduring legacy of racial segreg ation, theologian Erica Whitaker seeks to make “whiteness” in chu rches visible. She proposes pathways toward ecclesial reform, reconci liation and an antiracist Christian moral vision. In her dis sertation Whitaker examines how “whiteness” shapes predominantly white Baptist worship spaces in the United States and how it influenc es Baptist theology and church life. Her work addresses urgent issues of systemic racism, Christian nationalism and ecclesial complicity. “Here, whiteness refers not simply to race,” Whitaker says, “bu t to a cultural and visual system that presents white norms as neutra l, pure, and authoritative. My study explores how whiteness functions as an often-unseen organizing structure that can distort Christian u nderstandings of God, creation, authority and belonging.” R eal consequences “My most important conclusion is this: wh iteness often works best when no one notices it. When something feels “normal” or “just the way things are,” we rarely question it . But in many white churches, ideas, images and leadership styles hav e quietly centered white experiences and treated them as the standard for everyone. That has real consequences for who feels seen, valued, and close to God. “Simply noticing this problem is not enough. Whi te scholars and churches must take responsibility for changing it. Th at means listening seriously to Black voices and other people who hav e experienced racism. It also means rethinking things that may seem s mall - like pictures of a white Jesus - but actually shape how we ima gine God and authority.” More information on the thesis See ing Together END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR