scholarly journals ‘Mama I Can’t Breathe!’: Black/African Women of Faith Groaning for Social Justice and Gender Equality

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-469
Author(s):  
Damaris Parsitau ◽  
Esther Mombo ◽  
Ini Dorcas Dah ◽  
Tatiana Wairimu Gitonga
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Slave Trade ◽  
Police Brutality ◽  
African Women ◽  
Black African ◽  
Transatlantic Slave Trade ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Church ◽  
Women Of Faith

Abstract This article explores some residual entanglements of colonialism, Christianity, and Afro-western engagement in Africa by using the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police and his cries for “breath” and “mama” as a framework for examining the following. First, we argue that one way in which the repercussions of the transatlantic slave trade remain evident in Africa is the continued police brutality and dehumanization of African citizens. Secondly, with the invocation of “mama,” we consider the plight of African women and colonial/postcolonial Christianity, challenging the African church’s silence on social justice issues, and complicity in the exclusion/oppression of women. We call the church to reckon with its silence, and we offer a corrective towards constructing a theological and missiological response to our cries for breath. While this article is based on African feminist reflections, it invites global participation and indicates wider implications for social and gendered justice.

Self-Objectification vs. African Conservative Features in the Selfies of Black African Women

2018 ◽  
pp. 103-130
Author(s):  
Endong Floribert Patrick Calvain
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
African Women ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Black African ◽  
Cultural Forces ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Self Objectification

Though popularly construed as a universal phenomenon, selfie taking is gendered and culturally determined. This could be evidenced by the fact that the two socio-cultural forces of conservatism and traditionalism continue to tremendously shape African women's style of taking and sharing selfies on social media. Based on a content analysis of 200 selfies generated and shared by Nigerian women on Facebook and Instagram, this chapter illustrates this reality. It argues that Nigerian women are generally more conservative than liberal in their use of selfies for self-presentation, self-imaging and self-expression in public spaces. Over 59% of their selfies have conservative features. However, despite the prevalence of conservative myths and gender related stereotypes in the Nigerian society, the phenomenon of nude or objectified selfies remains a clearly notable sub-culture among Nigerian women. Over 41% of Nigerian women's selfies contain such objectification features as suggestive postures; suggestive micro-expressions and fair/excessive nudity among others.

scholarly journals GLOBALIZATION: DO AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MATTER?

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Elijah Bitange Ndemo ◽  
Ben Mkalama
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
African Women ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Global Order ◽  
Women Entrepreneurship ◽  
Global Commerce ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Even with the increased number of women enterprises and efforts to help women entrepreneurs in Africa exploit the potential benefits globalization, gender inequalities (perception and treatment of women in Africa) still stand in their way.   This paper seeks to address three questions:  First, what the literature suggests with respect to re-thinking alternative analytical approaches to a new understanding of globalization, entrepreneurship and gender equality in global commerce.  This will be followed by the question on how Africa conceptualizes women entrepreneurship and lastly, if the current African conceptualization of women entrepreneurs could precipitate exploitation of opportunities that the emerging global order presents.  The literature suggests that women still have a long way to go in changing environmental forces and perceptions to fully exploit their potential in the global stage.  A new theoretical way of analyzing their progress is imperative.

scholarly journals The Church and Gender Equality in Africa: Questioning Culture and the Theological Paradigm on Women Oppression

2014 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 166-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ani Casimir ◽  
Matthew C. Chukwuelobe ◽  
Collins Ugwu
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Church

Joining The Conversation On Inclusive Masculinity Theory

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Borkowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Relations ◽  
Sexual Politics ◽  
Masculinity Studies ◽  
Conceptual Frameworks ◽  
Cultural Transformations ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Social Agendas

This paper is a response to Rachel O’Neill’s article “Whither Critical Masculinity Studies? Notes on Inclusive Masculinity Theory, Postfeminism, and Sexual Politics.” It is suggested that her interpretation of the inclusive masculinity theory devalues Anderson’s (2009) perspectives, which focus on democratization of gender relations. Scholars of masculinity work in different conceptual frameworks, contributing to diverse aspects of ideological, political, and social agendas. Thus, it is argued that Anderson’s research recognizes the cultural transformations related to social justice and gender equality and contributes significantly to the field of masculinity studies.

scholarly journals The Biblical exegesis of headship: A challenge to Patriarchal understanding that impinges on women’s rights in the church and society

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Baloyi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Feminist Theology ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Church And Society ◽  
Deep Meaning ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Church

The aim of this paper is to try and find out the real meaning of man’ s (male) headship of women, since that can help us to define the deep meaning of gender equality.  A brief historical background will be followed by exegetical remarks on Ephesians 5:21-22 which is one of the texts that explains something about the concept of “headship of man”. Secondly, the meaning will help us to shape our understanding as to how we should handle the issue of women’ s rights and gender equality in  African Christian churches and families.  The challenges that are faced by women because of the misunderstanding of the concept of headship will also be discussed. The movement of feminist theology and other movements are becoming vocal in African countries, because women feel that it is the church and the Bible which promote the subjection of women. Fiorenza (1986:67) says that oppression of women in society is a result of Christian male sexist theology.

Journey to Authenticity: Afrikan Psychology as an Act of Social Justice Honoring Afrikan Humanity

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-513
Author(s):  
Kevin Washington (Mwata Kairi)
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Slave Trade ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Psychic Trauma ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Transatlantic Slave Trade ◽  
Correct Understanding

The proper healing of a people is difficult without a correct understanding of those peoples’ experiences and their worldview. This is very true with respect to the healing of the shattered consciousness and fractured identity of what has been called the transatlantic slave trade encountered by Afrikan people in America and throughout the Afrikan Diaspora. My journey into healing the wounds of racism and oppression began when I was called a “nigger” in 1971 in first grade. Years of studying Black/Afrikan history and being informed by Black psychologists would inspire me to conceptualize racism as a mental disorder that should be classified as such in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Moreover, I advance a distinct psychology ( Ubuntu psychology/psychotherapy) of healing psychic trauma of Afrikans in America as well as throughout the diaspora and on the continent of Afrika.

Self-Objectification vs. African Conservative Features in the Selfies of Black African Women

2018 ◽  
pp. 798-820
Author(s):  
Endong Floribert Patrick Calvain
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
African Women ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Black African ◽  
Cultural Forces ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Self Objectification

Though popularly construed as a universal phenomenon, selfie taking is gendered and culturally determined. This could be evidenced by the fact that the two socio-cultural forces of conservatism and traditionalism continue to tremendously shape African women's style of taking and sharing selfies on social media. Based on a content analysis of 200 selfies generated and shared by Nigerian women on Facebook and Instagram, this chapter illustrates this reality. It argues that Nigerian women are generally more conservative than liberal in their use of selfies for self-presentation, self-imaging and self-expression in public spaces. Over 59% of their selfies have conservative features. However, despite the prevalence of conservative myths and gender related stereotypes in the Nigerian society, the phenomenon of nude or objectified selfies remains a clearly notable sub-culture among Nigerian women. Over 41% of Nigerian women's selfies contain such objectification features as suggestive postures; suggestive micro-expressions and fair/excessive nudity among others.

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