Periodically I'll get an email from someone who wants to know if they can be Wiccan if they're not of a Caucasian background. While one would think that the answer of "Yes, of course you can" would be obvious, it's not as simple as we would normally think. I think there tends to be a misconception in the Pagan community that we are all following the paths of our ancestors; therefore someone whose ancestors are not white couldn't possibly be following a path rooted in the traditions of mostly-white Europeans.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I've met Pagans - Wiccans, and other flavors -- of just about every racial and ethnic background you can think of. And as more people embrace a wider variety of beliefs, it stands to reason that a spiritual path that might have been exclusively made up of Old White Ladies sixty years ago is now a melting pot of men and women from a variety of backgrounds.
My friend Kazoo is a self-described "combo plate" of a variety of backgrounds. She's got a mom who's half Irish and half Puerto Rican. Her dad is from Somalia, but his mother is descended from Dutch settlers. Kazoo herself is Wiccan, and is married to a Jewish guy of Polish extraction. She's raising her kids as Pagans, and she says, "We show up at a Pagan potluck, and you can always tell who the new people are. They stare at us, and you can tell they're thinking "Who are all those brown people, and why are they here?" And then they realize I'm the High Priestess, and it's a bit of a jolt. You can see it when the lightbulb clicks on."
I'm pleased to see that there are a number of new blogs popping up here and there dedicated to this very topic. Not being a person of color, I can't offer much of a perspective on what it's like to be a non-white Pagan in a mostly-white community. However, there are people in the Pagan community who are writing about the subject, and offering a fresh new viewpoint.
Mrs. Ebonee has started The Life of An African-American Wiccan over on Blogspot, and Daughters of Eve on Patheos offers insights from several different contributors. There's a blogger named Lynn who offers insight from an African-American solitary over at Black Pagan. There are also an increasing number of Hispanic practitioners within the Pagan community, particularly among the Correllian tradition.
If you're aware of any Pagan or Wiccan blogs out there that focus on the issues faced by non-Caucasians in our community, feel free to add them in the comments. If you have your own Pagan blog, you can submit it for listing here: Share Your Pagan Blog
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I've met Pagans - Wiccans, and other flavors -- of just about every racial and ethnic background you can think of. And as more people embrace a wider variety of beliefs, it stands to reason that a spiritual path that might have been exclusively made up of Old White Ladies sixty years ago is now a melting pot of men and women from a variety of backgrounds.
My friend Kazoo is a self-described "combo plate" of a variety of backgrounds. She's got a mom who's half Irish and half Puerto Rican. Her dad is from Somalia, but his mother is descended from Dutch settlers. Kazoo herself is Wiccan, and is married to a Jewish guy of Polish extraction. She's raising her kids as Pagans, and she says, "We show up at a Pagan potluck, and you can always tell who the new people are. They stare at us, and you can tell they're thinking "Who are all those brown people, and why are they here?" And then they realize I'm the High Priestess, and it's a bit of a jolt. You can see it when the lightbulb clicks on."
I'm pleased to see that there are a number of new blogs popping up here and there dedicated to this very topic. Not being a person of color, I can't offer much of a perspective on what it's like to be a non-white Pagan in a mostly-white community. However, there are people in the Pagan community who are writing about the subject, and offering a fresh new viewpoint.
Mrs. Ebonee has started The Life of An African-American Wiccan over on Blogspot, and Daughters of Eve on Patheos offers insights from several different contributors. There's a blogger named Lynn who offers insight from an African-American solitary over at Black Pagan. There are also an increasing number of Hispanic practitioners within the Pagan community, particularly among the Correllian tradition.
If you're aware of any Pagan or Wiccan blogs out there that focus on the issues faced by non-Caucasians in our community, feel free to add them in the comments. If you have your own Pagan blog, you can submit it for listing here: Share Your Pagan Blog
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Hi Patti,
I’ve been following your blog for a long time and I really appreciate what you’re doing. I can understand the difficulties or challenges of finding a non-european Wiccan group or coven. Initially I had a group on Meet Up / Black Wiccans and Pagans but I also have a blog at http://castusblaidd.wordpress.com/ It is a work in progress (I’m sort of new to blogging) but it is up and running. Everyone is welcome but I will be focusing on some of the issues that black pagans face. Thanks for addressing this issue but I’d like to say that I have ALWAYS been made to feel welcome in any group or coven I have participated with.
Please keep at it with this invaluable tool you provide for our community.
Bright blessings!
I am new to wicca, but even still I find it hard to believe that some people would think people of color (any color) cannot be wiccan. In wicca there are many paths. I know one path worships the Egyptain dieties, who certanily aren’t caucasian. I have met individuals who worship Hindu dieties, who also are not caucasian. I even know a few who worship Native American spirits, who are not caucasian. Also where I live has a high Hispanic population. About 50% of all wiccans I have met so far have been Hispanic. Maybe Ive simply had the luck to be exposed to a more diverse group than just ‘White’. Either way I just cant get over my suprise that people have to be told this.
I believe that the true meaning of being pagan, wiccan, etc. is not what ethnic group you belong to but to remember that our current bodies are merely hosts. Bodies die regardless of color, sex or background. Our Spirits can not be undone but go on from one life to the next. We all have lived many life’s and will to continue to do so until we have become fully enlightened. At some point in time it is very possible to have been of another race. Always remember it is the spirit and not the body that counts.
Blessed Be and Live Free!
I am totally with you on this. I know many other people that are native american, hispanic and even a few black folks that follow one path or another. I guess we are just blessed to not belong to communities that don’t realize that people of color started out as something other than christians too.
“I know one path (group?)worships the Egyptian dieties,who certainly are not caucasian”- Well, a ‘modern’Egyptian would at least be ‘surprised’(if perhaps not a bit offended) if s/he was classes as ‘Caucasian’!Personally I have no problem, because like many pagans a major tenet of my belief is that of reincarnation – ergo if in this ‘life’ I happen to be caucasian, is it all that important one of my previous lives was (say) African?
Hey Patti,
Anyways. Kudos for another great post.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I never thought of this sort of thing. Indeed, that is a silly thing to think that Wicca is just a “white person thing.” The beauty of Wicca and Paganism is that it can encompass anyone, male or female, of any diverse background. There is no bias, no preference. The unity of the Pagan is very much a beautiful thing.
~R
You know, it is funny, but it never ocurred to me that there weren’t non-white members of the Wiccan community. Wiccan celebrates such diverse deities that it would be silly to deny anyone. I am a solitary and have never celebrated with a coven or even a gathering, but still. In school when we were taught about the development of homo sapiens we were taught that the only difference between the so called races was where their ancestors finally settled. The differences were caused by environment. My ancestors settled in the European areas where there was intense colds and lots of rain so I am what is normally called white. My great nephew is part black and hispanic. His father’s ancestors settled in hotter climates with a lot of heat, sun and little rain so his skin is much darker. That is all the difference there is as far as I am concerned.
I have been practising The Craft for a little over 10 years and the most people I found of color were online and even then it is rare. I have been in the military and still saw none of color… maybe it’s just where I have lived but even with that I rarely find people of pagan/wiccan. It’s not that I dont believe that people of color cant practice the faith but I don’t think there’s enough awareness of the situation.
What an interesting issue – one that (as many of pointed out already) doesn’t normally come to mind. Many of us Pagans consider ourselves to be the Statue of Liberty of religions – welcoming all people as the beautiful gods and goddesses they are.
Patti, I’m sure that you answer back wonderfully – I so much enjoy your work here. Feel free to recommend The Fifth Sacred Thing to them if they want a perfect picture of how open our hearts to all walks of life. There is a place set for them at our table, if they choose to join us.
(I love this book more than any other and I just recently found out through Starhawk’s blog that she’s in the process of turning it into a movie. I think there is a Facebook support page for any die-hard fans like myself.)
Thanks for cataloging my blog, Black Witch (http://thisblackwitch.wordpress.com) in the Pagan Blog section. I agree that it is really hard to be a minority in a fairly White majority religion, it’s really a surprise when met with people who are very “love and light” but will treat you as a walking stereotype anyways. It’s very annoying, in addition to if there is a lack of information for Pagans of different cultures, they feel way more lost than their White counterparts because they’re more than just a simple minority but a minority within a minority and that can be a recipe for trouble and even a tortured existence. To see more different faces in the religion, it is not a hollow saying to tell someone it’s okay to be not White and Pagan and to truly show the face of Paganism and its different interpretations different cultures.
When I lived in New Orleans I joined a coven- being the only person of e/a decent – some looked at me as if to say “wottha”, and others just welcomed me.
I remember being in one of the classes the group taught and one of the women said to me,”I use to live in Texas, and they hung black folks in my town. So don’t ever go there”.
I took that as a hint to not come around, anymore. When I told the elders what had happened – she was dismissed. They said,” we don’t tolerate that in this coven and if anyone else has any problems then there’s the door.”
Though it did leave me shaken and confused – being in New Orleans I then joined a house of voudon. And that was headed by a woman who was of jewish decent and was white… It was odd but it felt right… And there we had trouble makers too. Mainly for trying to do darker stuff – which was strictly forbidden…
So now I’m part of both worlds celebrating both my Europeon and african sides in wicca and voudon.
Until I became a healer – now I just celebrate it all – if it feels right and there’s no hate or anomasity then let it be…
kinda going the other way, from Scottish/German protestant heritage, I’m about as caucasian as it gets. So why am I so drawn to Vodou?
beats me…
Patti, thank you so much for addressing this topic. I am an african-american, solitary witch. I’m very happy to have recently discovered several blogs (Daughters of Eve, and Black Pagan) that discuss the issue of, as say someone said, being a minority with in the minority. It’s nice to know I’m not alone on the path.
Coming from a Jewish background, we too are rare among the Wiccans,but we are there. The Circle that I belong to is very diverse. Not only do we have black people (several in fact) but we have those of Latino descent. I am one of the few Jews, but bring the Jewish perspective into the classes that are taught.
Blessed Litha everyone.
Funny I did not know a soul/lifeforce had ethnic genetics; always thought that the lifeforce, ALL lifeforce, came from the ONE. Geez…..
Druid, How correct you are.. All that division stuff only gives some folks a reason to hate.. All lifeforce does come from the ONE..
Druid, As a person of color I feel the same way as you do – whether you are black or white, owl or wolf a soul is a soul, and seekers of the true spirit have the same goal without division. I applaud those who believe in spiritual unity. But, on the other hand, as a Pagan I also believe that the trek to the Divine Spirit is through the Ancestors the way the modern Celts, Druids, Asatru, Native American Indians, etc seek. It is like a travel through the veils where the Ancestors stand to greet you at the first gate.
Druid I am sure when you circle you often circle with people who are Druids or with similar ancestry. You do so without thinking and with very little effort. Druids have been around for a long time and your numbers are there. Goddess forbid-what if there were are no more Druids for you to circle with? Would you go out to seek other Druids? And, ask yourself why would you?
African American Wiccans (Wiccans with similar ancestry) as of now go to the internet not for division per say, but to seek the true Ancestral spirit of Paganism. Don’t get me wrong- for a long time I circled with majority Asatru. It is a wonderful circle. They love the African Ancestors. But diversity is what us Pagans do.
I don’t know what it’s like to be a person of color, since I’m as pale as paper. I didn’t realize that race could be an issue in any religion, since a person has the freedom to choose what religion they would like to be a part of.
I would have to say that I do know racist people, unfortunately, but they put on a show that most people would never know. I don’t know what is scarier, someone being openly racist, or someone who is good at hiding it.
Regardless, I think that freedom of religion applies to everyone, not just to white folk. I never assumed that we went by what our ancestors did, I suppose I assumed most followed the path that called to them. You don’t have to be white to enjoy a spiritually fulfilling path.
By the way, I apologize if there are errors in what I have said. Posting comments from my phone is almost impossible…
Brightest Blessings!
Aster
I am all form these forms. It is hard ebough being pagan then to have this matter added to the fold. i live in a small canda alberta community. I have no “come out of the closest” as to mt regiolion. This community is still very closed minded when it comes to being wicca. I am a sloitary wicca. It is hard at times . I have no one to talk to. so if anybody knows of ant blogs. or wedsites I live in northern albeta plase help me. thank you abd blessed it be.
Racism is most tragic. Many people suffer from it in ways that we do not even know. It would be good to help others in the very best way that we can! Peace!
It is very sad when people feel you are somehow unworthy to be in a religion due to your color. My husband encounters that alot in the Jewish community because he is black. He was once told by a Rabbi that there is no such thing as a black jew. What you believe has nothing to do with the color of your skin, I think it is just another way people try and make themselves “better” than someone else.
There are a lot more African American Pagans than you know. There is even a store.
http://www.thedarkmoon.org
You can go on twitter also
@AAWiccanSociety
I think that we also forget that white Western Europe does not have the market on magic and spirituality cornered. Wicca and similar forms of neo-paganism are not the only spiritual alternatives to the Abrahamic faiths. There will certainly be people of color drawn towards Wicca, and it is wonderful that they would apparently be welcomed warmly judging by the posts here. However, many people of color have grown up with their own magical systems and non-Abrahamic religions.
Asians- the Chinese in particular- live in a nominally atheistic country. However, their lives are intertwined with Traditional Chinese Folk Magic from cradle to grave. Even when they come to the US, they very rarely abandon their magical systems. It is too much a part of their normal lives. Wicca or another “Western” system would likely not even occur to them.
It is wonderful that people have spiritual options. However, to assume that others would naturally gravitate to Wicca and similar neo-pagan faiths when there are other very strong magical systems available to them is a bit presumptuous.
I believe we would be better served to step outside our comfort zones and learn about what other magical systems are out there. Even if you do not change a single view or belief, you at least know that your belief is strong enough to hold up in the face of the knowledge that others exist.
Magic is the result of an intensely personal relationship with the world/universe around the practitioner. There is no such thing as “one-size-fits-all.”
As a African American Ecletic Gothic Wiccan..yeah I am sight.
I do meet up with those who question me alot..I mean get questions about Sabbats, Esbats, and other things like I need to be tested..or they think I playing at being who I am..gets tiring and sad..Race is a human thing not a diety thing..if the Goddess accepts me and that is good enough for me. All that other stuff is from that mainstream religion and culture.(it really needs to be left behind).
I never thought about Pagans being a “white only” club. Most of us like to think we are following the religon of our ancient ancestors who were mostly European. In school we are taught “Western Civilization” as our history. This barely covers any history of Asia, Africa, or Australia. As with any Earth based religon we think that Native Americans, Chinese, and others follow thier ancestor’s beliefs. If this were the case we would believe that those of African decent might follow voudou. There are many black Christians, Muslims, even Jews. So why would Wicca be “white only.” There is much we do not know about what is beyond our world. Do we really think God is an old white guy with a long beard and brilliant robes somewhere in the clouds?
Blessed Be
I am Native American (Apache) and Hispanic. Our Native reigion is Pagan. I can’t even magine not being pagan. That’s what Native peoples are raised to be. Everything has a spirit. We honor the 4 directions, we have colors for the directions, the mirror is very close. I am Wiccan because it is so close, I can mesh the worlds without hardly a thought.
This is a very dusappointing article. Other races have their own pagan traditions. Wicca should be reserved for whites. White people have almost no place where they can come together and experience collective pride for their culture and ancestors. Wicca was one of rare exceptions. Now, thanks to Patti, we don’t have even this. I don’t see any point to be Wiccan then.
Oh my! This is so sad. A lady, a Wiccan, doesn’t see the point of being Wiccan if it’s not reserved for Whites. It’s like a Mormon who is disappointed because blacks were allowed into their priesthood back in ’78. I don’t know what to say. I am so taken aback by the complete lack of understanding. Maybe I don’t understand! I believe that any approach based on racial and ethnic pride is bound to fail. We are all one.
I don’t care if your different in color, race, creed, sex, and path, YOU are welcome in my circle. All I ask is that you be respectful of all who are in the circle. I welcome you with open arms. Blessed Be!
Hi, Melissa (21), I hope your back to read this.
I’d like that rabbi to read up un the Lemba tribe in South Africa and then tell a black person they cannot be Jewish.
Really??? There are lots of Hispanics in the Correllian Tradition?? Huh… must be why years ago I considered being adopted by them. Hah! Go figure! I learned something new today^_^
It makes sense that there are a lot of Hispanic pagans, beings how a lot of them are descended from Mayans…
Like many of the other post-ers here, I have never thought about skin color in conjunction with religion. I am very encouraged by the many postings of acceptance. This is one of the reasons I have decided to begin a pagan and/or wiccan path. Thank you!
As a Hispanic, I’m kind of “expected” to follow my ancestors on the Santeria path, but over time I began to feel comfortable following the Greek Pantheon. No regrets here.
As a Black pagan, I have never thought about myself as being a Black pagan. I have taken several courses in WIcca and found myself the only African American there, but I’ve always been welcomed with open arms. I feel more comfortable with the pagan path than I have with the Christian one, more welcomed for who I am as a person and not a seat filler for a pastor’s ego. I will admit that I have not met many Black pagans on my journey, but I’m not done yet.
uhhh… i think it doesnt matter what color or ethnic you are…
Pagan roots are not all European, it’s just that European rooted paths are more widely depicted in the media, imagery, etc. Pagans are very much rooted in Africa, Native Americans, Asia and everywhere else on this earth. Many of these paths had their history and centuries of knowledge destroyed when the Christian Europeans started trying to “discover” everything. Unfortunately, due to the over colonization of many ethnic ancestors, much of this information has been lost and replaced with Christian faith. I believe it is the natural and true path for all ethnic groups to be pagan. Otherwise, you are just following a foriegn religion (christianity) that was forced upon your ancestors
All those who preach diversity and multiculturalism should see this cartoon. It is excellent!
All those who preach diversity and multiculturalism should see this cartoon. It is excellent!
How Whites took over America
Dear Patti,
Thank you for this. I had no idea that racism was an issue at all in the Pagan/Wiccan community—no more than sexism, anti-gay-ism, or any other form of bigotry. I think of Paganism as the most INclusive religious movement in the world—enthusiastically welcoming and embracing Pagan traditions and people of all cultures, nationalities, races, genders, sexual preference, etc. Even other religious backgrounds. At least, that’s how we see it from the perspective of the Church of ALL Worlds.
Bright Blessings,
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
I think it depends on a number of factors. For some it is about following the ethnocenric religion.
A lot of people have mixed ethnic backgrounds. Sometimes, there are religious or spiritual systems that connect across cultures better than others…For instance, if a family’s history is partly somewhere in Africa or indigenous to North America then something more nature based or shamanic might sit well.
Christianity also started out as just another ethnocentric religion for Jews living in the Middle East, in an around Israel, Jordan and other nations in the vicinity both back then and now.
Many religions have the ability to be adapted to other locations. That does not really make them better or worse…but I do tend to believe that there are religions and people who make a better or more natural match.
One person sent a very light hearted approach to this issue which included the following simple advice: if you prefer Chinese take out food – then go Buddhist [or Confucian or atheist - Taoist], but if you like Indian take out food better then be a Hindu. No one said, if you prefer Kosher then be a Jew or a Christian, but …someone could have.