Weathering Dark Times, Emerging Stronger: An Interview With Candace Gorham, AHA President

Candace Gorham is the President of the American Humanist Association. She spoke with Canadian humanist and journalist Scott Douglas Jacobsen for a recent interview.

Gorham is a licensed mental health counsellor and author of The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion–and Others Should Too and On Death, Dying, and Disbelief. She is a former ordained minister turned atheist activist, researcher, and writer on religion, secular social justice, and the African-American community. She is also a member of the Secular Therapist Project and The Clergy Project.

Gorham discussed the state of humanism post-election, particularly within African American communities. She discussed the general tone of distress among humanists due to Trump’s popular vote win and its implications for America. She emphasized the need for proactive activism, combating Christian Nationalism, and supporting affected communities. Gorham highlighted the unfamiliarity with humanism among Black communities and the opportunity for growth by reaching out and supporting those leaving religion but seeking meaning. She also noted the potential challenges with misinformation and the popularity of alternative beliefs like astrology and crystals.

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Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today [Editor’s Note: this interview took place in November 2024], Candace Gorham joins us to discuss various aspects of humanism in the immediate aftermath of the American election. The Republicans appear to have won significantly, which is concerning for many humanists, given their policies and the people within their circles.

Over the past few days, what is the general tone and feeling within American humanist communities based on what you are observing?

Candace Gorham: I would start with my immediate circle of friends and family. Many people are troubled, and there is a palpable sense of despair. I met with some staff today, and confusion and distress were evident. People are puzzled by how former President Trump managed to win again despite being considered offensive by many. The most unsettling aspect for many is that he won the popular vote this time, which has left people questioning their neighbors’ and friends’ beliefs.

Previously, when Trump won the electoral college but not the popular vote, it was easier to rationalize it as a quirk of the system. However, this time, there has been talk of a “red wave” and the unexpected loss of many Democratic strongholds. As I mentioned, people are mostly disturbed about what this signifies for the United States today. What does this say about the country we live in? It is distressing.

Jacobsen: Political activism, policy advocacy, and related efforts are also questioned. What is your approach to addressing this situation from a proactive, activist perspective for the American Humanist Association?

Gorham: Many members of our organization are eager to fight and engage in policy work, advocacy, and volunteerism. From our staff to our chapters and affiliates, individuals are ready to stand up and contribute to meaningful efforts. We are currently working on determining how we can best support them.

When I say “we,” I am referring to leadership, as we focus on finding ways to support our members and anyone seeking our assistance. How can we provide support in this moment of shock and despair? Furthermore, what can we do moving forward when it is time to engage in sustained activism? We have the staff capable of leading that charge, especially with our new Executive Director Fish Stark.

Jacobsen: Some issues will be more immediately relevant when targeting different areas for this work. Where do you see the most immediate impacts for humanist communities? Will it be focused on reproductive rights or LGBTQ+ rights? Or will it focus more on direct church-state separation and related issues?

Gorham: Yes, I would say that we need to find that balance again because so many people—women, LGBTQ+ individuals, men who support women’s rights—are affected and hurting in their everyday lives. As an organization, the AHA wants to craft a way to support people in dealing with their feelings of angst. At the same time, we want to provide a space for them to channel some of that energy. One of the significant focuses—without putting words in our Executive Director’s mouth—is fighting against Christian Nationalism.

Jacobsen: So, is that where we will see more of the work being done—focusing on church-state separation and combating White Christian Nationalism that has become pervasive and is part of why we are where we are today?

Gorham: Yes, that will be a major focus moving forward.

Jacobsen: As a licensed mental health counsellor, what would you recommend for young people who are experiencing their first major political shocks to consider for maintaining their mental health while potentially using that energy to become more proactive rather than staying in despair?

Gorham: Yes, I will share what I’ve been reminding myself today. The United States has been through ugly, dark times—nasty and frightening. Yet, we have survived and, in many cases, strengthened and improved. I keep telling myself that the institutions built over time—our Constitution, our organizations, and the structures that uphold American ideals—have been battered, bruised, and tested before. I am hopeful that they will hold once again because they have withstood challenges in the past. I encourage people to remember that we have weathered dark times before and emerged stronger, continuing to move forward and improve.

On a more personal note, I advise people to do what I did last night: have my daughter come over and spend time with friends, family, and support groups. Engage in activities that keep you connected and away from being alone, watching cable news, or endlessly scrolling through TikTok and feeling more overwhelmed. Surrounding yourself with supportive people or those who want to take action and who want to be involved in activism is essential. Whether it’s volunteer work or attending a march (and I am sure there will be many in the months to come), finding ways to channel anxiety and frustration can make a significant difference. It may help you feel more empowered and better able to cope.

Engage in activities; don’t just watch what is being discussed or happening passively. Participate in some way, even if it’s something as small as getting together with friends for a book club or similar activities. Or, if you feel up to it, do activist work, get out there on the streets, canvass, knock on doors, and do whatever you can.

Jacobsen: You wrote The Ebony Exodus Project—it’s been eleven/twelve years. So, what is the current status of what we can call The Ebony Exodus Project?

Gorham: In general, the number of Black women who identify as spiritual, religious, or Christian is still high, especially if we include not just Christianity but spirituality and belief in a divine entity or supernatural beliefs. At the time I wrote The Ebony Exodus Project, about 86% of Black women in America identified as Christians. From what I recall from the most recent Pew report I read, even though it’s a few years old, those numbers are still in the 80% range.

Anecdotally, from my experience as a Black woman in the Black community and from conversations with other women I know, there is a shift happening, particularly among younger women—by younger, I mean fifty and under. These women are moving away from organized religion and are creating their spiritual meanings and practices. One of the things I find interesting is that even among non-believers or those who consider themselves atheists, there is an increasing belief in horoscopes and crystals.

This trend, which I consider somewhat supernatural, is what I am seeing everywhere, and it distresses me even more than the Christianity I left behind. At least with Christianity, there were tangible aspects you could challenge, like the Bible or scientific claims. But how do you challenge horoscopes or crystals? Suppose someone believes that a crystal on their forehead will cure a headache. In that case, engaging them in critical thinking becomes more challenging.

I even have family members who, for lack of a better term, I describe as “woo-woo.” They are into crystals, horoscopes, and similar things. I always push back and ask, “Have you read anything about this beyond a TikTok video? Have you considered opinions from someone who doesn’t believe that horoscopes are real?”

And many people, and this ties back to the election, face the issue of disinformation and misinformation in America and probably worldwide. People get their news from social media in little one- to three-minute sound bites, memes, and similar formats. They need to get a complete picture of what is happening around them. This is also true when it comes to religion and supernatural beliefs.

Jacobsen: What about the state of humanism generally within an African American context? Is there increasing comfort and space for individuals coming out of the Black church? Or is it a repetition of past community mistakes, where there isn’t an open, authentic space for people to bring their cultural narratives and individual stories into a humanist space, leaving behind religion while taking on humanist values in the context of their subculture within the United States?

Gorham: I would say that a significant portion of the Black community is still largely unfamiliar with humanism and humanist thought. I remember when I was younger, in college, learning about humanism in the context of 17th and 18th-century writers who discussed it. At that time, I thought, “Oh, humanism. This isn’t Christian. This is the belief that we only have each other and must do good among ourselves.” It wasn’t considered a Christian way of thinking, so the term “humanism” was, and to some still is, a dirty word.

It’s almost synonymous with atheism for some people. Humanism is still a “dirty word” for those who know what it means, while the vast majority probably don’t even know the term. I believe this area has growth potential—how we reach out to more diverse communities that may have never heard of humanism. When I first got into the movement and wrote The Ebony Exodus Project twelve years ago, I often heard Black people say, “I never even heard the word atheist.” They didn’t know what it meant. Humanism is even less known. When I tell people, “Yes, I’m an atheist, but I’m also a humanist, and my humanism informs my ethics,” I often get, “Well, what’s that?”

People are starting to become more familiar with the term “atheist” or “non-believer,” but “humanist” is still not widely recognized. This is a major opportunity for our organization. Even those who believe in horoscopes and crystals still want a moral compass to guide them in understanding good, bad, right, or wrong. They may turn to astrology because they crave something that helps them build meaning.

When the American Humanist Association finds a way to communicate with these individuals effectively, it will be a significant breakthrough and a valuable resource. Many in the Black community are moving away from structured religion but are still seeking something to fill that void. That’s where we can step in and start to provide that support.

Jacobsen: That’s a good point. Regarding culturally identifiable figures, there are you, Ayanna Watson, Mandisa Thomas, Sikivu Hutchinson, and Debbie Goddard. There aren’t too many individuals who are necessarily recognizable as Black women humanists. It’s improving in terms of having leading voices, but to your point, incorporating more is necessary. Do you have any upcoming literary works or activities that people should be on the lookout for?

Gorham: As the new president, I’m trying to get my bearings with the organization. I’m new, and we have a new Executive Director. Much work needs to be done to get things rolling again. I’m not currently focusing on anything outside of that. I do have some book ideas percolating in the background. Still, I have yet to start on any of them because my current focus is supporting our new Executive Director and helping achieve some of his goals.

Jacobsen: Candace, thank you for your time and the opportunity to talk.