Cornbread and Communion

Liturgy

2019

Before black feminism and womanism named the ways we love each other, we found healing and safety at our sisters’ tables. Inviting kitchen tables cluttered with food and unopened mail, regal dining tables used for formalities and family affairs, well-worn counters with chopping blocks and broken combs, and the like, were the places where our hearts felt at home.

Our sisters have been our sanctuary and these tables, with their food and soothing drink, have been our altars. For we prayed, sang, cried, hoped, we gave and received counsel, at these same tables. And when our bodies—worn from our endless fights—needed rest, the chairs at our sisters’ tables held us. As we talk food and feminism, let us not forget the ways food has helped to sustain our faith in this call, in this action, in this activism. We have turned life-giving food into love-giving food. For through food we have healed others and most importantly, we have and continue to heal each other.

The work features Tanika I. Williams, Tessa John O'Connor, Stepha LaFond, Nordia Bennett, Tabatha Holley, Anais Sockwell, and Svaha Williams.

Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Photographer