Holding 'Em High: Womanist Theology's Winning Hand Inspired by Beyoncé's 'Texas Holdem

 Aint No Holdem in Womanist Theology.

  1. By Camille

  2. On February 11, 2024, Beyoncé made waves in the music industry with the release of "Texas Hold'em," a captivating pop-country anthem that harkens back to her Southern roots while honoring the rich contributions of Black artists to the genre. Beyond its infectious melodies and twangy rhythms lies a deeper narrative of empowerment and resilience—a narrative that resonates strongly with the principles of Womanist Theology. In this blog post, I graze upon the existence of empowerment woven into Beyoncé's song and explore how Womanist Theology amplifies the voices and experiences of Black women.


  4. To understand the significance of "Texas Hold'em," we must first and very, very briefly, trace the roots of country music. Emerging from musical traditions of African American folk music, blues, and gospel, country music embodies the diverse cultural heritage of the American South. Early pioneers like Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family drew inspiration from Black musicians, infusing their own sound with elements of blues and folk.

  5. Much like the strategic maneuvers of a poker game, Womanist Theology celebrates the agency and resilience of Black women. In a game of poker, players strategically navigate their hands to out play opponents and assert control over the game. Similarly, Black women navigate various systems of oppression, employing resilience and strategic thinking to challenge injustice and pave the way for liberation.

    At the heart of Womanist Theology is a celebration of the resilience and strategic wisdom of Black women, akin to the strategic moves made in a game of poker. Despite facing intersecting forms of oppression, Black women employ resilience and strategic thinking to challenge systems of injustice and create paths to liberation. An example of black women creating a path to liberation is by creating black owned businesses, black owned spaces create moments of innovation and ease of existence amongst those who look like you and have been historically discriminated against, a discrimination that continues to exist in various forms.

    In the exploration of  intersections of race, gender, class, and identity, womanist theology takes a holistic approach to liberation. Just as the aim of a poker game is to outmaneuver opponents and emerge victorious, womanist theology seeks to challenge and dismantle oppressive systems, advocating for the liberation of all marginalized communities.

    As we unravel the narrative of empowerment inherent in Beyoncé's "Texas Hold'em" and explore its resonance with womanist theology, we honor the voices and experiences of Black women. Through music and theology, we amplify the agency and resilience of Black women, paving the way for a more just and equitable society. In celebrating empowerment and resilience, we embrace the transformative power of collective action and community solidarity.

    My final though is this:  it's okay to introduce a little Beyonce into your day. Make way for Bey.

  6. Thank you for reading! YeeHaw

  7. Works Cited:

  8. Knowles, Beyonce.(2024). Texas Hold'em,  Act II. Parkwood and Columbia Records.

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