Episode 157 :: Ally Henny :: Stories of Finding Your Voice When the World Says to Shut Up Part One
Simply Stories Podcast
English - June 23, 2023 21:42 - 1 hour - 102 MB - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsChristianity Religion & Spirituality christianity spirituality christianwomen creatives story storytelling Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Today I get to share with you my powerful conversation with the amazing Ally Henny. Ally is an author, a speaker, a minister, an advocate, and the vice president of The Witness, a Black Christian Collective which is an organization committed to encouraging, engaging, and empowering Black Christians toward liberation from racism. This week, Ally released her book I Won’t Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You which one reviewer poignantly and perfectly called “An unvarnished perspective on racism that calls Black women to find their voice.”
During our conversation today, Ally is going to share some of the insights from her incredible book as well as some of her experiences as a Black Christian woman who for many, many years felt constantly silenced but perpetually on display for public opinion. She shares how it feels for her to never be “off” because her responses in conversations, even her facial expressions are constantly being evaluated and judged. Or what it feels like to consistently be perceived as a potential threat or as someone who needs to be handled or managed. She unpacks topics such as society’s expectation of women being the burden bearers, the helper, and the nurturers in American society, but how that uniquely plays out for many Black women and its roots in systemic harm.
Ultimately, Ally shares a glimpse into the culmination of events that led to her finding what she calls her “holy hell no,” the sacred boundary that rose up in her and said I do not deserve to be treated this way and that racism does not have to be an accepted fact of life. Her book moved me so deeply and continued opening my eyes to experiences I’ve lived in ignorance of, and this conversation continues to remind me about the beauty and the power of not staying silent in the face of injustice and the heart of God to let ALL of our lights shine before men. This conversation goes so deep and wide, that this is actually part one of two episodes, and I can’t wait to listen and learn right along with you. Remember friend, no matter where you are in your journey, you matter and your story matters.
Connecting with Ally:
Book: I Won’t Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You
Sponsor for this Episode: Hopefuel
Use the code 'SIMPLY15' for 15% off
References:
The Witness Black Christian Collective
Chadwick Boseman (“Wakanda Forever!”)
The assassination of Fred Hampton
Sassy Black friend trope (examples: “Sex and the City,” “Save the Last Dance”,”Clueless,” etc.)
The idea during slavery that Black women could give birth and go back right out to the field.
(This is a fascinating read as well about the mindset towards enslaved women)
The history of medical racism, gynecology and struggle for Black women and also discusses the “science” myth that Black women were built stronger of enslavement rhetoric
Black maternal mortality rates
Serena Williams’ birth experience
The prevalent nature of smoking in the 20th century
Marketing menthols to Black communities specifically
Science Olympiad- “Reach for the Stars”
Liquor stores and fast food funneled disproportionately into predominately Black neighborhoods
Booker T. Washington and respectability politics
Ferguson, MO protests sparked by the shooting of Michael Brown Jr.
The gateway arch to the west, St. Louis, MO
Civil Rights Movement protests (these photos are from Nashville)
Scripture References:
Matthew 5:16- “Let your light shine before men.”
Job 38:11- Thus far and no more
Micah 6:8- “He has shown you o mortal what is good, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”
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