On October 3, 2021, the San Diego Public Library hosted a virtual program titled “Candice Marie Benbow Talks Red Lip Theology.” The event featured a conversation between Candice Marie Benbow, a writer, and theologian, and Melinda Guillen, a community activist and journalist. The program aimed to explore the intersection between faith and social justice, highlighting the perspectives of black women and the challenges they face in navigating systems of oppression. This essay will discuss the key narratives and themes of the program and their significance to our understanding of African American history, as well as provide a critical analysis of the event.
The program opened with a screening of the short film, “Red Lip Theology,” which introduced the central concept of the event. The film, directed by Candice Marie Benbow, featured several black women sharing their experiences of wearing red lipstick as an act of resistance against oppressive beauty standards. The film served as a powerful visual representation of the themes that would be explored throughout the program. Following the film, Candice Marie Benbow and Melinda Guillen engaged in a dialogue that delved into the nuances of faith and social justice from a black feminist perspective. One of the main questions posed by the program was how black women can find liberation through their faith, despite the ways in which Christianity has been used as a tool of oppression. Throughout the conversation, Benbow and Guillen highlighted the idea that black women have used their faith as a means of resistance and survival, often creating their own theological frameworks that center their experiences. The program emphasized the importance of acknowledging the diversity of black religious experiences and the need for black women to claim their narratives within religious spaces.

Another key theme of the program was the intersection between faith and social justice. The conversation explored how religion can be a powerful force for change, while also acknowledging the multiple ideologies and philosophies that had been used to justify systems of oppression. Benbow and Guillen highlighted the need for a nuanced understanding of the relationship between faith and social justice, one that recognizes the complexities of navigating oppressive systems and the importance of community organizing. The narratives and themes of Red Lip Theology are significant to our understanding of African American history in several ways. First, the program highlights the role of black women in shaping religious and theological discourse. Despite being excluded from mainstream religious institutions, black women have created their own spaces and developed their frameworks for understanding their faith. This tradition of black women’s religious leadership has a long history, dating back to the days of slavery when black women played a vital role in sustaining their communities’ spiritual practices. Understanding the contributions of black women to religious history is critical for a comprehensive understanding of African American history.

Additionally, Red Lip Theology emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in understanding the experiences of black women. The program recognized that black women face intersecting systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, and classism. Understanding how these systems intersect and impact black women’s lives is crucial for developing effective strategies for liberation. By centering the perspectives of black women, Red Lip Theology provides a unique and valuable contribution to our understanding of African American history.
In analyzing the program, it is important to recognize its limitations. While Red Lip Theology highlighted the importance of intersectionality, it did not fully explore the experiences of LGBTQ+ black women or disabled black women. The program also focused primarily on Christianity, without acknowledging the diversity of religious experiences within the black community. Furthermore, while the program emphasized the role of community organizing in social justice movements, it did not provide concrete strategies for how individuals can engage in activism. These limitations provide opportunities for further research and exploration into the themes and narratives presented in the program. For example, a future study could analyze the role of music in African American history and its significance in shaping cultural identity. Another study could explore the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on contemporary issues and activism. Additionally, the program highlights the importance of preserving and sharing African American history, as it provides a better understanding of the experiences and struggles of the community. This can be achieved through various means such as public programs, educational initiatives, and community engagement. Overall, the program serves as a reminder of the richness and complexity of African American history, and the importance of continued exploration and education on the topic.

Overall, the Red Lip Theology program offered an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood. The speakers and participants offered a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, creating a space for nuanced discussions and deep reflections. The program’s focus on the narratives and themes of black women’s experiences highlighted the need to center their voices and stories in discussions of African American history. One of the key narratives that emerged throughout the program was the theme of resistance and resilience. Speakers highlighted some of the ways black women have historically used their faith and beauty practices as tools for resistance against systemic oppression. From the use of hymns during slavery to the adoption of red lipstick as a symbol of power and resistance in contemporary times, the program emphasized how black women have creatively adapted and transformed their practices to assert their agency and resist oppressive structures.

Another important theme that emerged in the program was the idea of interconnectedness and community. The speakers emphasized the idea that beauty practices, particularly those related to hair and skincare, have been historically used to build community and connect with other black women. For example, the practice of braiding hair has been a longstanding tradition in many African cultures and has been used as a means of bonding and building relationships between women. Similarly, the program highlighted the ways black women have formed networks and communities around beauty practices like wearing red lipstick, creating a sense of solidarity and shared identity. The Red Lip Theology program was significant to our understanding of African American history because it highlighted the often-overlooked narratives and experiences of black women. Too often, discussions of African American history center on the experiences of black men or focus exclusively on issues of racism and discrimination. However, the program emphasized the need to center the experiences of black women, who have been doubly marginalized by their race and gender. By exploring the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood, the program offered a more nuanced and complex understanding of African American history, one that recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences. Furthermore, the program’s focus on beauty practices and faith traditions challenged mainstream narratives about black women and their bodies. Too often, black women’s bodies are objectified and sexualized in popular media and culture, reducing them to mere objects of desire or exotic curiosities. However, the Red Lip Theology program emphasized a multitude of ways black women’s beauty practices are rooted in cultural traditions and have deep spiritual and emotional significance. By reframing beauty practices as forms of resistance and empowerment, the program challenged the dominant narrative that black women’s bodies are simply objects to be consumed.

In conclusion, the Red Lip Theology program provided a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood. Through a diverse range of speakers and participants, the program highlighted how black women have historically used their beauty practices and faith traditions as tools for resistance, resilience, and community building. The program’s focus on the narratives and themes of black women’s experiences offered a more nuanced and complex understanding of African American history, one that recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences. By centering the experiences of black women and reframing beauty practices as forms of resistance and empowerment, the Red Lip Theology program challenged mainstream narratives about black women and their bodies, offering a more nuanced and empowering vision of black womanhood.

References

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Benbow, C. M. (2018). Red Lip Theology. [Video]. San Diego Public Library. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPJOtkLb-c8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=SanDiegoPublicLibrary

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