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dreaming_ace's review
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of essays. It was interesting to get a glimpse of the experiences of someone who grew up in a church setting since that is not my experience.
I also enjoyed the authors voice in these essays and leaning a bit more about the experience that many of those I go to church with had growing up.
As someone who is white I can forget just how special the congregation I attend (a predominately Black LGBTQ+ affirming church in the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination that welcomes all people) really is. It is all too easy to take what you are surrounded with for granted.
Note: While the opening chapter referenced makeup as well as the table of contents over all that is not the point or focus of the book. I think based on the contents page I thought it would be integrated more into the essays. (which was fine since I don't wear makeup but still surprised me)
I also enjoyed the authors voice in these essays and leaning a bit more about the experience that many of those I go to church with had growing up.
As someone who is white I can forget just how special the congregation I attend (a predominately Black LGBTQ+ affirming church in the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination that welcomes all people) really is. It is all too easy to take what you are surrounded with for granted.
Note: While the opening chapter referenced makeup as well as the table of contents over all that is not the point or focus of the book. I think based on the contents page I thought it would be integrated more into the essays. (which was fine since I don't wear makeup but still surprised me)
prettypious's review
5.0
I’m mad at myself for shelving this instead of reading it immediately. This book was EVERYTHING we thought it would be and after following her so long on Twitter and remembering how some of these events were experienced by her in real time, it’s refreshing to see her internal thoughts and reflections on those various moments. I’ve read Sisters in the Wilderness and I truly believe similarly years from now we will identify Red Lip Theology as in the bank of seminal texts about womanist theology, Black women’s relationship Christianity and God, and Black women’s experiences. The essays are very well written and insightful and most importantly relatable. I love this crop of Gen X older millennial Black authors that have been writing about their lives AFTER surviving PWIs and GATE Black onlyisms in K-12. I’m happy this book exist for young Black women including and especially those in the church and those that are constantly trying to understand and build their relationship with God for themselves and stand independently against the powers of patriarchy and racism that is sometimes normalized in religion. Highly recommend
trapwomanistcyborgwitch's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Review coming closer to publication date.
Review
Representation in media is of paramount importance to me as a Black church girl. When my mother passed away, my reason for living vanished. She was my blueprint/map of black womanhood. My whole entire life. So, I was lost for some time but then I started reading a lot of Womanist/Black Feminist texts and I found myself again! Books like Dr. Britney Cooper’s Eloquent Rage and Dr. Tamura A. Lomax's, Jezebel Unhinged gave me the representation/praxis I had been looking for. To add to this group of books that changed my life, is Red Lip Theology. I started following Ms. Benbow from Twitter many years ago and I have really seen her come into herself as a very gifted theologian and writer. This book is no exception. It is EXCELLENT. With Lipstick Theology she created a 21st-century womanist framework that is relatable to the everyday Black woman. In this book she is fearless! She talks about a lot of taboo subjects such as grief, purity culture, leaving church, mean girl academia and questioning who God is regarding Their deity and theology. She also deals with the significant issues of racism, sexism, misogynoir, and sexual assault. My favorite essays in this book are “We Should All Be Womanists,” “Black Lace Teddy’s and Other Pieces I Rock Under the Anointing,” and “Why I Left the Church.” But most of all, this book is a love letter to her beautiful and transcendent mother. I related the most of this because my mother died a few years ago and I was also lost and trying to explain to people-what I was going through was extremely difficult. This book, among the others that I mentioned before, calls out all the sins of the church against Black women and gives us space to wrestle with our spirituality. I gave the book a 4.5. It was almost perfect. I just wish that I had an index and a selected bibliography list. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I HIGHY recommend it. Thank you, Candice, NetGalley and Convergent for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
Review coming closer to publication date.
Review
Representation in media is of paramount importance to me as a Black church girl. When my mother passed away, my reason for living vanished. She was my blueprint/map of black womanhood. My whole entire life. So, I was lost for some time but then I started reading a lot of Womanist/Black Feminist texts and I found myself again! Books like Dr. Britney Cooper’s Eloquent Rage and Dr. Tamura A. Lomax's, Jezebel Unhinged gave me the representation/praxis I had been looking for. To add to this group of books that changed my life, is Red Lip Theology. I started following Ms. Benbow from Twitter many years ago and I have really seen her come into herself as a very gifted theologian and writer. This book is no exception. It is EXCELLENT. With Lipstick Theology she created a 21st-century womanist framework that is relatable to the everyday Black woman. In this book she is fearless! She talks about a lot of taboo subjects such as grief, purity culture, leaving church, mean girl academia and questioning who God is regarding Their deity and theology. She also deals with the significant issues of racism, sexism, misogynoir, and sexual assault. My favorite essays in this book are “We Should All Be Womanists,” “Black Lace Teddy’s and Other Pieces I Rock Under the Anointing,” and “Why I Left the Church.” But most of all, this book is a love letter to her beautiful and transcendent mother. I related the most of this because my mother died a few years ago and I was also lost and trying to explain to people-what I was going through was extremely difficult. This book, among the others that I mentioned before, calls out all the sins of the church against Black women and gives us space to wrestle with our spirituality. I gave the book a 4.5. It was almost perfect. I just wish that I had an index and a selected bibliography list. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I HIGHY recommend it. Thank you, Candice, NetGalley and Convergent for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
africanbookaddict's review
5.0
This is such a completely honest collection of essays. I always deeply appreciate Black women who are able to articulate the intersection (or lack thereof) between Black feminism, womanism, sexuality and the Black church/theology in their work. Together, these are really complex issues that do not traditionally intersect, according to various OFF interpretations of the Bible. I listened to this via Audible, and Benbow's performance is phenomenal. I first got to know about Benbow via her 2016 Lemonade syllabus that went pretty viral back when Beyonce's album (Lemonade) was released. Benbow is truly resourceful and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Her mother in heaven must be so proud of her co-masterpiece, that is her daughter.
missus_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
tatyanarush's review
2.0
The author and I have different views as a Christian, however this book was an interesting read. I didn’t agree with a lot of what she said and feel like she lacked support in her writing for things she stated.
krisybella's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
cailynacollins's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. It definitely helps identify and explain many emotions and the journey many black church girls go on. The writing was very accessible while simultaneously capturing the message the author was simultaneously trying to convey.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexism, and Homophobia