How Can I Do This Work Well? Toward a Womanist-Accomplice Hermeneutic

This article examines the dynamics of reading and drawing upon womanist interpretations as primary sources as a white man to create a womanist-accomplice hermeneutic. The author begins with personal notes about why he has chosen to work with woman-ist interpretation and ethics as primary interlocutors in his work, including his experiences with a Black sister and how working with womanist interpreters fulfills the work his soul must have. He then examines the ethics and obligations of primarily interacting with womanist interpreters in his work. After this analysis, he lays out his praxis of challenging traditional interpretations and including womanist ethics and interpretations, expanding to other forms of minoritized criticism to ensure his work is inclusive and challenges whiteness while expanding the discourse to the benefit of minoritized groups. The article ends with a short analysis of Ruth 2:2 through the author’s womanist-accomplice hermeneutic.