We invite you to join us for an invigorating 4-part series, sponsored by LSTC Learning Communities, that explores the topic of intersectionality. 

Dr. Thomas will lead this course for 4 Sundays, beginning January 7 from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CST. Or you can join Wednesday’s session beginning January 10 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CST.

Dr. Linda E. Thomas is Professor of Theology and Anthropology at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). Her research and teaching interests focus on cultural anthropology and its intersection with theology, ethics, and African-American and gender studies, with the aspiration to teach women and men to think critically, diversify their epistemological perspectives, and pursue social justice in a wide variety of contexts. In addition to fieldwork in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, her publications include the books Under the Canopy: Ritual Process and Spiritual Resilience in South Africa (the University of South Carolina Press, 1999) and Living Stones in the Household of God: The Legacy and Future of Black Theology (Augsburg Fortress, 2004). She is also co-editor of the Palgrave Macmillan series “Black Religion/Womanist Thought/Social Justice” and was chosen to deliver the 2007 Taylor Lectures at Yale University.

Session Summary:
The concept of Intersectionality considers overlapping oppressions, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, ableism, and many other things, as they are experienced and suffered by marginalized persons. This concept is a vital tool to name multiple, intersecting oppressions for the systemic violence they cause and to propose solutions for a more just society. An example of applied Intersectionality would be naming the triple oppressions faced by a poor transgender woman of color. This woman would face discrimination based on her race, gender identity, and class from being exposed to the conditions of poverty. Thus, this 4-session course will explore Intersectionality to critique the ongoing oppressions of marginalized persons in the United States today. Special emphasis will be given to Intersectionality as it corresponds to Womanist theology, that is, theological reflections about God done from the lived experiences of Black women in the United States, in order to consider an anti-oppressionistic hermeneutic for the Trinity and parish life.

We encourage students, community members, leaders in faith, and members of the academy to join us!

Session 1: Introducing Intersectionality
Sunday, January 7 
Wednesday, January 10 

Session 2: Theological Intersectionality, Womanist Theology, and Anti-Oppressionistic Hermeneutic
Sunday, January 14 
Wednesday, January 17 

Session 3: Theological Intersectionality, Womanist Theology, and Anti-Oppressionistic Hermeneutic
Sunday, January 21 
Wednesday, January 24 

Session 4: Theological Intersectionality in the Parish
Sunday, January 28 
Wednesday, January 31 

We look forward to you joining us!