Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

The Day God Saw Me as Black by D. Danyelle Thomas is nothing short of transformative. This audiobook delivers a profound critique of white supremacy within the Black Pentecostal religious experience, all while weaving deeply personal meditations that challenge, uplift, and liberate. It’s a powerful work that’s as much about faith as it is about unlearning and reimagining the world around us.

Thomas’ narrative voice is sharp, reflective, and unflinchingly honest. She doesn’t shy away from the complexities of race, gender, class, and sexuality within the church and broader society. Her critique is incisive yet empathetic, offering listeners a space to confront difficult truths while envisioning the possibilities of a faith free from the constraints of white supremacy and respectability politics.

The audiobook format elevates this experience even further. Narrated by the author herself, Thomas’ delivery is imbued with authenticity and passion, making every word resonate. Her cadence shifts between contemplative and fiery, perfectly mirroring the dual nature of the book as both a cultural critique and a personal testimony. Valerie Boyer’s narration complements this beautifully, adding a second voice that enhances the book’s layered perspectives.

Themes of decolonization and reconciliation run deep throughout the work. Thomas masterfully bridges the theoretical with the personal, illustrating how systemic oppression infiltrates even the most sacred spaces. Her exploration of faith as a tool for both oppression and liberation is deeply moving, challenging listeners to question inherited beliefs while envisioning what true freedom in faith could look like.

Favorite moments? Too many to count, but one standout is Thomas’ reflection on what it means to be seen—truly seen—in a spiritual context, particularly when the church has often been complicit in erasing or marginalizing identities. These moments are intimate yet universal, offering a sense of solidarity and hope to anyone who has ever felt unseen or misunderstood within their faith community.

The writing is stunning, effortlessly balancing the academic with the poetic. Thomas has a way of turning even the heaviest topics into something digestible, without losing the weight of their importance. The shifts between critique and meditation keep the narrative dynamic, ensuring that listeners are both challenged and comforted.

Final verdict? The Day God Saw Me as Black is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, race, and liberation. Whether you’re questioning the role of the church in perpetuating systemic inequality or seeking a more inclusive, liberated spirituality, this audiobook will leave you inspired and deeply reflective. It’s a rare work that feels as much like a call to action as it does a balm for the soul. An absolute triumph.

As a Black Woman who grew up heavily churched in the Baptist and Pentecostal faiths while attending Catholic Schools, I promise you that this is the book that I needed. The Day God Saw Me as Black helps you make sense of everything you were taught about faith and Christianity against the backdrop of deconstruction while living in a society that makes you question the validity and sovereignty of God. Reading this reminds me that I am seen, I was born the way I should have been, and it confirms my current value system and beliefs. This book belongs on your bookshelf because it's so much more than a pretty cover. And the forward of this book will blow your mind. Excellent book.

Danyelle's text is a masterclass of truth!! She wrote about what many of us don't share and don't speak on, This was a beautiful analysis of the black church

Wow! I don't think I've ever been more seen in a novel. This is such a fantastic exploration of the intersectionality of Christianity and black feminine identity. The author holds no punches and takes these topics in a direction that I feel is often not publicly discussed in earnest. I appreciated her ability to grasp the fullest of what her life in the church and its teachings have meant for her holistic development and becoming the fullest version of herself.

Many times in real life, any questioning of the inconsistencies in the interpretation of the theology as well as the application to current societal norms are met with dismissal and relegated to a box of "don't question God", versus the reality of questioning the interpretations that man has implemented. I applaud the author of having this conversation out loud and well as being real about who she is as a person and how she presents with her faith.

The conversation about the influence and role that other afro-based spiritual systems have played in our current freedom and their subsequent demonization was much appreciated. The way the church also practices rituals but decides which ones are acceptable and sanctified while othering the energy of the original rituals and ceremonies that have shaped them is truly mind-boggling and hypocritical Thank you for your honesty.

I can't express how much I appreciated the links you made between the teachings we receive about sex in the church and how women eventually grow to view themselves and their bodies. The dirtiness that is inherently placed on women (and children), with no thought to the damaging effects that these teachings has on it's subjects after they have been violated by the very men that the pulpit elevates and protects is heartbreaking.

At a young age, I grappled with the idea that I was born into sin and eventually abandoned the acceptance of that teaching altogether as an adult. This book really helped to put into words a lot of the feelings I had towards reconciling faith with the other parts of my identity. I would absolutely recommend this book to others as I believe it is an important discourse that should be faced head-on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio arc of the book.

I just completed D. Danyelle Thomas', The Day God Saw Me as Black. I must say this book did not disappoint. The narration was done in a manner that my attention was transfixed. As a junior high school student, I went to a COGIC church, I saw all that Thomas talked about; the emotions & experiences she wrote about were very relatable.
The Day God Saw Me as Black is thought provoking, and led me to question organized religion and it power structure.
Thank you netgalley for my ARC copy. I look forward to reading more by D. Danyelle Thomas.

#Netgalley #TheDayGodSawMeasBlack #WomenInTheBlackChurch #NetGalley #Christanity

Thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for this arc in exchange for a honest review. What a well thought out and intentional read on this subject. As someone who is focusing on my liberation of my faith, this book really spoke to me on so many levels and I really appreciate the authors thoughts on this topic and the flow of the book is so good.

D. Danyelle Thomas delivers a profound exploration of Black identity, spirituality, and the decolonization of faith. Through candid storytelling and a blend of cultural critique and personal reflections, Thomas invites readers to reimagine their spirituality beyond Eurocentric interpretations of Christianity. The book speaks to the healing and liberation found in reclaiming one’s faith from oppressive structures, celebrating Blackness as sacred and deserving. Thomas's writing is both intimate and empowering, making this work a compelling read for those interested in faith, cultural identity, and the resilience of the Black experience. Each chapter could be it's own standalone text as deserves it's own deep dive and exploration. There are so many gems within and between the lines.

As a Black woman finding peace in religion can ne a struggle. The intersection of Black and woman means that a lot of what is taught to us in religion is also used to subjugate us for being Black and a woman. With this book. I felt seen. The author's experiences mirror so many challenges I've faced and even those that's re not directly related are very relatable. This is a book that need to be read and then read again.

Beautifully written and narrated. This was a book I didn’t know I needed in my life and will forever be grateful. 🫶🏾 I highly recommend this book for black women who are going through a spiritual and healing transition. The book dissects the perspectives in the black community through the establishment of religion and how it affected the treatment and other decisions that were made socially and politically towards minorities. I could feel the voice of my missing mother figure, sister, and best friend reminding me and encouraging me of the potential that I have to be my full authentic self. This author showed up and showed out with the receipts when discussing how race, gender and sexual class inhibits the growth and the fight against oppression.

Ms. Thomas presents a glimpse into the Black Christian church as she also challenges - with intellectual and braveness - the ways that the Black Christian church upholds patriarchy, capitalism, and hegemonic gender and sexual limits.

Having someone question the power of institutional religion through both practices and embedded beliefs is not new. What I did find refreshing and new was Ms. Thomas’ presentation of ways of finding faith and truth in new, communal approaches that honor all identities and while loving and honoring God.

In my “which five people would you want to gather around the dinner table this weekend” scenario, Ms. Thomas definitely would make the list.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

In "The Day God Saw Me as Black," D. Danyelle Thomas takes the reader on a courageous and transformative journey through the intersecting landscapes of race, religion, and identity. With a fearless voice and unyielding conviction, Thomas challenges the status quo, dismantling the oppressive structures of white supremacy within the Black Pentecostal religious experience.

Through a masterful blend of critique and meditation, Thomas invites readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of systemic racism, misogyny, homophobia, and classism embedded within the fabric of Christianity. Drawing upon her own experiences as the daughter of a pastor and theologian, Thomas fearlessly interrogates the ways in which religious indoctrination has normalized suffering and pain, particularly within the Black community.

One of the book's most powerful aspects is Thomas's exploration of the intersectionality of oppression and the urgent need for decolonization in spiritual practice. She eloquently argues for the reconciliation of ancestral veneration with Christian theology, offering a compelling vision of true spirituality rooted in liberation and empowerment.

Thomas's prose is both evocative and deeply personal. She merges together intimate reflections with incisive cultural critique. She navigates complex theological and social issues with a clarity and compassion that is both refreshing and inspiring. Through her writing, she challenges readers to confront our own internalized beliefs and biases, urging us to reimagine a faith that is inclusive, affirming, and just.

At the heart of "The Day God Saw Me as Black" lies a profound sense of love—for oneself, for one's community, and for the divine. Thomas's reflections on the tender bond she shared with her late father, a pastor who grappled to balance the demands of being a father and church leader while she was little, struck me deeply. Her journey toward healing and reconciliation serves as a testament to the healing power of love and forgiveness. Of her father she writes: "Daddy chose me in the best way he could before closing his eyes." - instant tears!

In her critique of prominent figures within the Black church, such as Juanita Bynum, Pastor Kim Burrell, and Bishop Eddie Lee Long, Thomas demonstrates a fearless commitment to truth-telling and accountability. She refuses to shy away from difficult conversations, challenging readers to confront the ways in which the church has been complicit in perpetuating harm.

"The Day God Saw Me as Black" is a groundbreaking work that defies categorization, transcending genres to offer a profound meditation on faith, identity, and liberation. It is a book that demands to be read, discussed, and ultimately, embraced as a catalyst for change. Through her luminous prose and unwavering courage, D. Danyelle Thomas emerges as a visionary voice for the 21st-century African American Progressive Faith community—a lighthouse of hope in a world desperately in need of healing and transformation.