Stacey M. Floyd-Thomas
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Stacey M. Floyd-Thomas (born 1969) is an American author and educator. She is
associate professor Associate professor is an academic title with two principal meanings: in the North American system and that of the ''Commonwealth system''. In the ''North American system'', used in the United States and many other countries, it is a position ...
of
ethics Ethics is the philosophy, philosophical study of Morality, moral phenomena. Also called moral philosophy, it investigates Normativity, normative questions about what people ought to do or which behavior is morally right. Its main branches inclu ...
and society at
Vanderbilt Divinity School The Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion (usually Vanderbilt Divinity School) is an interdenominational divinity school at Vanderbilt University, a major research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is one of o ...
and the Graduate Department of
Religion Religion is a range of social system, social-cultural systems, including designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics in religion, ethics, or ...
at
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...
in
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
. Floyd-Thomas is a Womanist Christian social ethicist whose research interests include Womanist thought, Black Church Studies, liberation theology and ethics,
critical race theory Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic field focused on the relationships between Social constructionism, social conceptions of Race and ethnicity in the United States census, race and ethnicity, Law in the United States, social and political ...
,
critical pedagogy Critical pedagogy is a philosophy of education and social movement that developed and applied concepts from critical theory and related traditions to the field of education and the study of culture. It insists that issues of social justice and de ...
and
postcolonial studies Postcolonialism (also post-colonial theory) is the critical academic study of the cultural, political and economic consequences of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on the impact of human control and exploitation of colonized people and thei ...
. Specifically, her work addresses tripartite
oppression Oppression is malicious or unjust treatment of, or exercise of power over, a group of individuals, often in the form of governmental authority. Oppression may be overt or covert, depending on how it is practiced. No universally accepted model ...
and religious responses to these forms of oppression. Race,
class Class, Classes, or The Class may refer to: Common uses not otherwise categorized * Class (biology), a taxonomic rank * Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects * Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used d ...
and
gender Gender is the range of social, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of being a man (or boy), woman (or girl), or third gender. Although gender often corresponds to sex, a transgender person may identify with a gender other tha ...
are three social categories that contribute to the oppression of
black women Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
, and Floyd-Thomas' work addresses how religious commitments, particularly Christian sensibilities, work to either ameliorate these forms of oppression, or perpetuate them. Floyd-Thomas is executive director of the Society of Christian Ethics.


Training

Floyd-Thomas received her Ph.D. from
Temple University Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1884 by the Baptist ministe ...
in 1998. Her primary teacher and adviser was
Katie Geneva Cannon Katie Geneva Cannon (January 3, 1950 – August 8, 2018) was an American Christian theologian and ethicist associated with womanist theology and black theology. In 1974 she became the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyte ...
. Cannon, a former student of Beverly Harrison, continues to mentor and influence Floyd-Thomas' work and
pedagogical Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...
style.


Womanist thought

In the late 1960s and 1970s,
theological Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of an ...
education was fundamentally altered through the development of
black theology Black theology, or black liberation theology, refers to a theological perspective which originated among African-American seminarians and scholars, and in some black churches in the United States and later in other parts of the world. It contex ...
, most notably the work of theologian James Hal Cone. Cone, a professor at
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Unio ...
, espoused a theological program that connected the black liberation struggle to the
New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...
idea that God has a preferential option for the poor. Thus, God is "on the side of the oppressed." Placing this idea within the context of the historic struggle for black liberation from the oppression of
enslavement Slavery is the ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labour. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. Enslavemen ...
, Jim and Jane Crow laws, and continued
racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one Race (human categorization), race or ethnicity over another. It may also me ...
, Cone's work placed a premium on experience as a source for "doing" theology. Yet, the experiences reflected upon by Cone and others were notably absent of black women's voices. To a large extent, Womanist thought developed as the corrective to this within black theology and ethics. In the early 1980s,
Katie Geneva Cannon Katie Geneva Cannon (January 3, 1950 – August 8, 2018) was an American Christian theologian and ethicist associated with womanist theology and black theology. In 1974 she became the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyte ...
, Jacquelyn Grant, and
Delores Williams Delores Seneva Williams (November 17, 1934 – November 17, 2022) was an American Presbyterian theologian and professor notable for her formative role in the development of womanist theology and best known for her book ''Sisters in the Wildernes ...
were students at
Union Theological Seminary Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (shortened to UTS or Union) is a Private college, private ecumenical liberal Christian seminary in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, affiliated with Columbia University since 1928. Presently, Co ...
, whose teachers included James H. Cone, Beverly Harrison, and others. Just as Cone's black theology was noticeably absent of women's voices and experiences, Harrison's work centered around the perspective of
white women White is a racial classification of people generally used for those of predominantly European ancestry. It is also a skin color specifier, although the definition can vary depending on context, nationality, ethnicity and point of view. De ...
. In both cases, the experiences of black women were subsumed into the experiences of either black men or white women. Cannon, Grant and Williams, while appreciating the work of early liberationists like Cone and Harrison, sought a way to frame their own experiences as black women. They found such a frame in
Alice Walker Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker (born February 9, 1944) is an American novelist, short story writer, poet, and social activist. In 1982, she became the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which she was awa ...
's '' In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose'' (1983). Walker defined "Womanist" in a four-part definition, that set the black female experience in contradistinction to both white women and black men. Using this frame,
Womanist theology Womanist theology is a methodological approach to theology which centers the experience and perspectives of Black women, particularly African-American women. The first generation of womanist theologians and ethicists began writing in the mid to ...
and ethics was born through the work of Cannon, Williams, and Grant. Floyd-Thomas' work continues this Womanist scholarship started in theology and ethics.


Works


''Mining The Motherlode: Methods in Womanist Ethics''

Of Floyd-Thomas' contributions to Womanist thought, perhaps the most pivotal has been her ''Mining the Motherlode: Methods in Womanist Ethics.'' In this text, Floyd-Thomas firmly grounds Womanist ethical
methodology In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods. However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. A method is a structured procedure for bri ...
in Walker's definition of the term "Womanist" in order to highlight it as a unique and legitimate ethics within the larger discipline of Christian ethics, and provides an easy to use text for anyone wishing to do Womanist ethics. Paralleling the four-part definition provided by Walker, Floyd-Thomas names four "tenets" of Womanist ethics as "Radical
Subjectivity The distinction between subjectivity and objectivity is a basic idea of philosophy, particularly epistemology and metaphysics. Various understandings of this distinction have evolved through the work of countless philosophers over centuries. One b ...
, Traditional
Communalism Communalism may refer to: * African communalism, a system of interdependence in rural Africa * Christian communism, form of religious communism based on Christianity * Communalism (Bookchin), a theory of government in which autonomous communities ...
, Redemptive
Self-Love Self-love, defined as "love of self" or "regard for one's own happiness or advantage", has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity and as a moral flaw, akin to vanity and selfishness, synonymous with amour-propre, conceitedness, ...
and Critical Engagement." These tenets explore the relationship between Womanists' use of Walker's definition, and the various methodologies employed within Womanist ethics.


Other notable publications

Floyd-Thomas served as primary author/editor for other books. ''Deeper Shades of Purple: Womanism in Religion and Society'' collects various essays from many leading Womanist scholars and Womanist allies. ''Black Church Studies: An Introduction'' is a textbook that covers a range of disciplines that make up the interdisciplinary field of Black Church Studies. In 2010, she co-edited with theologian Anthony B. Pinn "Liberation Theologies in the United States: An Introduction." In 2011, Floyd-Thomas co-edited two books with
Miguel A. De La Torre Miguel A. De La Torre (born 6 October 1958) is a professor of Social Ethics and Latino Studies at Iliff School of Theology, author, and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Biography Born in Cuba months before the Castro Revolution, De ...
titled ''Beyond the Pale''—one subtitled ''Reading Ethics from the Margins'' (exploring twenty-four classic ethicists and philosophers from a Christian liberationist perspective), the other ''Reading Theology from the Margins'' (looking at thirty classic theologians) Her most recent publication co-authored with
Juan M. Floyd-Thomas ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of ''John''. The name is of Hebrew origin and has the meaning "God has been gracious." It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking countries around the world and in the Philippi ...
and Mark G. Toulouse, is entitled ''The Altars Where We Worship: The Religious Significance of Popular Culture''. Floyd-Thomas also serves as general editor of two-book series: Religion and Social Transformation (
New York University Press New York University Press (or NYU Press) is a university press that is part of New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 ...
) and 'Making It Plain': Approaches in Black Church Studies (
Abingdon Press Abingdon Press is the book publishing arm of the United Methodist Publishing House which publishes sheet music, ministerial resources, Bible-study aids, and other items, often with a focus on Methodism and Methodists. History Abingdon Press ...
).


Black Religious Scholars Group

The Black Religious Scholars Group is an organization founded by Floyd-Thomas, her husband Juan Floyd-Thomas, and Duane Belgrave while graduate students. It was conceptualized during a session of the Black Theology Group during the 1996 Annual Meeting of the
American Academy of Religion The American Academy of Religion (AAR) is the world's largest association of scholarly method, scholars in the List of academic disciplines, field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association, serving as a profess ...
/
Society of Biblical Literature The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), founded in 1880 as the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, is an American-based learned society dedicated to the academic study of the Bible and related ancient literature. Its current stated mis ...
Annual Meeting in
New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...
. The mission of the organization is to "promote meaningful dialogue and partnership between black religious scholars, the larger black community and its churches and community organizations in order to promote the goals of black religion—namely, liberation and human fulfillment in all areas of life.11th Consultation of the Black Religious Scholars Group Program. 2008. To this end, the BRSG functions "to make the academic work and activity of black religious scholars more relevant, committed and accessible to the larger Black church and community", and "to create opportunities for collaboration between black scholars, churches and community organizations in order to achieve the aforementioned goals of Black religion. This includes working together to address the many crises and quality-of-life challenges facing black communities Held every year to coincide with the annual meeting of the
American Academy of Religion The American Academy of Religion (AAR) is the world's largest association of scholarly method, scholars in the List of academic disciplines, field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association, serving as a profess ...
, the BRSG consultation seeks to achieve the goal of its mission through fostering dialogue between black scholars and local black church communities, and through the specific consultations that occur at various black churches throughout the country. BRSG consultations have been held in cities ranging from
San Diego San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
to
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
Also, the BRSG Consultation is a time where tribute is paid to black religious scholars who have contributed to the field of black religion while maintaining a commitment to black religion in practice outside of the academy. Past BRSG honorees include James H. Cone, Peter Paris,
Cornel West Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, theologian, political activist, politician, social critic, and public intellectual. West was an independent candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election and is an ou ...
, J. Deotis Roberts, Henry and Ella Mitchell, Jacquelyn Grant, Katie G. Cannon, Vincent Harding, Delores S. Williams, Robert M. Franklin,
Cheryl Townsend Gilkes Cheryl Townsend Gilkes (born 1947) is an American sociologist, womanist scholar, college professor, and ordained Baptist minister. Biography Cheryl Townsend was born on November 2, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the daughter of Murray ...
, Gayraud S. Wilmore,
Renita J. Weems Renita J. Weems (born 1954) is an American Protestant biblical scholar, theologian, author and ordained minister. She is the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Old Testament studies in the United States. She is the Dean of Gammon Theological Se ...
, Walter E. Fluker, M. Shawn Copeland,
Emilie Townes Emilie Maureen Townes (born August 1, 1955, Durham, North Carolina) is an American Christian social ethicist and theologian. She was Dean, E. Rhodes, and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society at the Vanderbilt University Div ...
, Luther E. Smith, Jr.,
Cheryl Kirk-Duggan Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan (born 24 July 1951) is an African-American Womanism, womanist theologian, professor, author, poet, and an elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She is Professor Emerita of Religion and Women's Studies and Direct ...
, Jeremiah A Wright Jr.,
Michael Eric Dyson Michael Eric Dyson (born October 23, 1958) is an American academic, author, Baptist minister, and radio host. He is a professor in the College of Arts and Science and in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University. Described by Michael A. Fletche ...
, James A. Forbes, Jr., Randall C. Bailey,
Teresa Fry Brown Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; ) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or reap", or from θέ ...
, Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Rev. Dr. James H. Evans, Jr., and others. Floyd-Thomas continues to serve as executive director of the BRSG. Other executive board members include Dr. Juan Floyd-Thomas, Rev. Dr. Duane Belgrave, Rev. Dr. Christine Wiley, and Rev. Dr. Dennis Wiley, co-pastors of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ in
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...


References


External links

* Floyd-Thomas'
curriculum vitae In English, a curriculum vitae (,
. * {{DEFAULTSORT:Floyd-Thomas, Stacey M. Living people 1969 births Christian ethicists Womanist theologians Womanist writers Vanderbilt University faculty Temple University alumni Vassar College alumni Emory University alumni African-American theologians American women academics African-American Christians American Christian theologians American women non-fiction writers 21st-century African-American academics 21st-century American academics