Date of Award

2-18-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Laura Gordon, DMin

Second Advisor

Gregory Tate, DMin

Third Advisor

Winford Amos, DMin

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the effects of systemic oppression on the well-being of Black mothers in Memphis, Tennessee. It posits that systemic oppression causes trauma that negatively affects Black motherhood and familial stability. Research shows that maternal mental illness may negatively affect child development, behavior, and cognitive and socio-emotional development.3 Black literary history has revealed the importance of Black mothers for family development.4 It has shown how Black mothers used religion to support themselves emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually during times of travail.5 This work theorizes that a trauma-informed theological approach will liberate Black mothers in Memphis, Tennessee, from the effects of systemic oppression.

Section one examines the history of systemic oppression within the framework of colonization and chattel slavery in Memphis, Tennessee. It asserts that systemic oppression is an apparatus constructed by four pillars of power that maintains cycles of intergenerational mental and social instability. Section two describes various solutions to the social approaches designed to serve those suffering from systemic oppression. These approaches, along with serving suffering, confront political power systems. This section concludes by introducing liberation theology and its impact on different social movements. Section three presents the thesis. It engages the ministry problem through a historical lens, focusing on the ministry of Jesus Christ through the exegesis of liberation theologians. It delves into the works of Howard Thurman, James Cone, and Deloris S. Williams that reveal the cognitive processes of the oppressed and the political connotation of the gospel of Christ. Section four describes the artifact I promised I’d tell. Blue Momma, why are you so blue? A written testimony of mental illness and delivery, a self-help testimonial book with a workbook. Section five is a sample of the artifact and workbook. Section six is the postscript, which reads of the inspiration behind this academic venture.

3 Emily Lowthian et al., “Maternal Mental Health & Children's Problem Behaviors: A Bidirectional Relationship?” Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Vol. 51, No. 11 (2023).1611-1623.

4 Delores S. Williams, Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, eBook, (1993).

5 Ibid.

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