Yolanda Pierce: Black Church as Mother Tongue & Justice

Exploring "Black Church is My Mother Tongue" with Dr. Yolanda Pierce

We're excited to share an insightful interview with Dr. Yolanda Pierce, a renowned womanist theologian and the esteemed Dean of the Divinity School at Vanderbilt Divinity School. In this discussion, Dr. Pierce delves into her powerful article, "Black Church is my mother tongue," an excerpt from her impactful book, The Wounds Are the Witness.

In this video, Dr. Pierce articulates how the Black Church functions as a unique and profound "language." She explains that it's more than just a place of worship; it's a rich tapestry woven with distinctive speech, traditional hymns, powerful songs, and biblical narratives, particularly the King James Version, all infused with the vibrant cadences of Black speech. This "language" isn't merely about religious practice; it’s a foundational cultural expression that profoundly shapes faith.

Dr. Pierce also explores the certainty of God's justice embedded within this "mother tongue." She illuminates how, despite pervasive human injustice, the language of the Black Church instilled in her an unwavering belief in divine rectification. This conviction stems from the assurance that God’s past acts of healing and deliverance will be reiterated, making liberation and freedom from oppression an inevitable reality consistent with God's inherent nature. This perspective beautifully balances eschatological hope with the immediate, present help and deliverance of God.

Furthermore, Dr. Pierce, a deep believer in pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit), highlights the profound significance of the Pentecost story. She views Pentecost as a powerful metaphor for the church's potential—a space where individuals can fully embrace their identity, mother language, and cultural expressions, without needing to shed any part of themselves, to find true community and hear the divine voice in their own unique "mother tongue."

We encourage you to watch this compelling interview to gain a deeper understanding of Dr. Pierce's insights into faith, culture, and justice.