The phenomenon of self-silencing in Black women, especially within the context of the divine order narrative in many Black church spaces, can be seen as a form of spiritual acculturation that has profound consequences on their identity, voice, and overall integrity. When Black women internalize the belief that male leadership is divinely ordained, they may adapt to this structure by silencing their own voices, suppressing their leadership gifts, and conforming to a system that does not fully recognize their agency. This adapting out of integrity—where the need to fit into a spiritual or cultural framework leads to the erosion of their own authentic voice and spiritual power.
Spiritual Acculturation and Self-Silencing
Spiritual acculturation refers to the process by which individuals adjust their spiritual beliefs, behaviors, and identities to fit within a dominant religious or cultural system. In the case of Black women in churches where patriarchal or hierarchical leadership is emphasized as part of a divine order, this often means internalizing narratives that limit their leadership roles and subordinate their voices to male authority.
This process of spiritual acculturation may manifest in several ways:
- Internalization of the Divine Order Narrative:
- Black women in these settings may be taught (or absorb through church culture) that male authority is divinely ordained, and that their role as women is to support, rather than lead. This teaching is often framed as biblical, with references to scriptures about male headship and female submission.
- Over time, Black women may come to see their silence as an act of faithfulness—believing that by suppressing their own leadership potential or dissenting voice, they are honoring God’s will. This self-silencing becomes a spiritual discipline, reinforcing the idea that their primary spiritual duty is to follow, not to lead.
- Adaptation as Survival:
- For many Black women, self-silencing is a way of adapting to a system where their leadership is not fully recognized or valued. In order to survive and avoid conflict within the church, they may choose to conform to these expectations, even when it conflicts with their inner sense of calling or gifting.
- This adaptation may be framed as spiritual humility, but it often comes at the cost of their spiritual integrity—the alignment between their internal sense of purpose and their external expression of it. Over time, this can lead to a deep sense of spiritual dissonance.
- Loss of Agency and Voice:
- As Black women adapt to the expectations of the divine order narrative, they may lose touch with their own spiritual authority and sense of self. Their ability to speak out, offer leadership, or challenge unjust systems is diminished, not just by external pressures but by the internalization of these beliefs.
- This self-silencing becomes a form of self-erasure, where they are present in the church community but invisible in leadership and decision-making. Their voice becomes marginalized, and over time, they may begin to doubt their own capacity for leadership or spiritual insight.
Adaptability and Coherence: Have They Adapted Themselves Out of Integrity?
The key tension here is between adaptability and coherence—a theme we’ve discussed in both biological and social systems. Black women who have adapted to a spiritual system that places them in subordinate roles may have done so at the expense of their own coherence—the integrity of their identity, voice, and sense of spiritual purpose.
Adaptability as Survival, Coherence as Integrity
- Adaptability in this context is often a form of survival. In order to avoid conflict, maintain social and spiritual acceptance, and navigate the power structures of the church, Black women may choose to conform to these expectations. This adaptation allows them to remain part of the spiritual community but at the cost of their own authentic expression of faith and leadership.
- Coherence, however, refers to the alignment of one’s internal beliefs, values, and identity with one’s external actions and expressions. When Black women adapt to a system that does not fully recognize their worth or leadership potential, they may experience a breakdown of coherence—their internal sense of calling or gifting becomes disconnected from their external role in the church.
Signs of Adapting Out of Integrity:
- Spiritual Dissonance:
- Over time, Black women may feel a deep sense of spiritual dissonance—a conflict between their internal sense of spiritual purpose and their external behavior. They may feel called to leadership, but their actions reflect subordination and silence. This dissonance can manifest as spiritual frustration, burnout, or even a crisis of faith.
- Erosion of Voice and Power:
- The longer Black women adapt to this structure, the more they may lose touch with their own voice and spiritual power. Their silence becomes habitual, and they may start to internalize the belief that they are not qualified or worthy of leadership, reinforcing a cycle of marginalization.
- Disconnection from Authentic Spirituality:
- As Black women continue to suppress their true gifts and potential, they may feel increasingly disconnected from their own spirituality. This can lead to a sense of spiritual alienation—they are present in the church community but do not feel fully seen or valued for who they are.
Coherence as Integrity
Maintaining coherence means living in alignment with one’s values, identity, and sense of purpose. For Black women in these settings, self-emancipation—or the process of reclaiming their spiritual voice and leadership—is key to restoring coherence. This involves:
- Reclaiming Voice: The first step in restoring coherence is reclaiming their voice—speaking out about their experiences, their calling, and their spiritual gifts. This may involve challenging the divine order narrative, particularly its implications for women’s leadership.
- Authentic Leadership: Coherence also means stepping into authentic leadership, where Black women can lead not as a concession from male authority but as co-equal partners in spiritual leadership. This requires shared leadership models where women’s voices are equally valued.
- Healing from Spiritual Acculturation: Part of the process of self-emancipation is healing from the internalized beliefs that have led to self-silencing. Black women may need to engage in personal and communal reflection to unlearn the spiritual narratives that have kept them in subordinate roles.
Healthy Adaptation vs. Self-Silencing
Adaptation does not always mean compromise of integrity. Healthy adaptation in spiritual settings involves finding ways to engage with the system while maintaining one’s authentic voice and identity. For Black women in Black church spaces, this might mean:
- Creating spaces where women can affirm one another’s gifts and leadership potential, allowing them to process the spiritual and emotional challenges of navigating a patriarchal system.
- Engaging in relational leadership models where men and women lead together, not in competition but in complementary roles, ensuring that coherence is maintained both individually and collectively.
- Redefining divine order to include egalitarian interpretations, where spiritual authority is not gender-based but rooted in spiritual maturity, gifts, and callings.
The Tension Between Adaptability and Coherence
Black women in church spaces who have internalized the divine order narrative and adapted by self-silencing have indeed experienced a loss of coherence—their adaptation has come at the cost of their spiritual integrity. While adaptation is often necessary for survival within rigid systems, the long-term effects can lead to spiritual dissonance, eroded leadership potential, and alienation from one’s authentic self.
Restoring coherence involves a process of self-emancipation—reclaiming their voice, reasserting their spiritual gifts, and challenging the structures that have required their silence. This can be done while still maintaining a focus on shared leadership and oneness—a model where relationships between men and women are built on mutual respect and spiritual equality, allowing for both healthy differentiation and interconnectedness. In this way, Black women can begin to adapt back into integrity, creating a system of spiritual leadership that honors both their gifts and their role in the community.
