Dear alumni/ae and friends, I’ve been trying to understand evil all of my life. Not individual acts of sin, but what I call systemic evil—racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and more—just about any negative “ism” either has, is, or will catch my eye as a Christian social ethicist. This means that I peer into the ways in which our society can produce misery and suffering in relentlessly systematic and structural ways. And I have learned, sadly, that even those of us who wish to eradicate evil, can get caught in its trap as we sometimes rely on expediency or blaming or ignoring, and more as an easy way to achieving rather inept reconciliation—that is not reconciliation at all. We become complicit in maintaining a miserable status quo that maims and destroys lives. And if we do this long enough, we can and do grow this into a complicit society that allows hatred to flourish in the lost and in the found as it nurtures hatred through everyday actions and inactions.
This is my pessimistic side showing as I cast an alarmed eye at the ways in which we are becoming a society that does not care for the least of these. But I know, as do many of you, that we are called to live lives of justice, hope, peace, and love. These transformative notions help us to lean into the good, the constructive, the bass notes of courage and give us the plot lines we must follow to help make the various worlds we live in better. Indeed, we are called to live our lives out of the possibilities and not our shortcomings. And most importantly, we do this work together—each of us—as we refuse, stubbornly refuse, to give up in the present as we continue to build a more vibrant future. Best,
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Emilie M. Townes
Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School Distinguished Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society
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Vanderbilt honors James Lawson with a new institute
With Reverend Lawson’s endorsement, Vanderbilt Divinity School and the College of Arts and Science seek to honor his legacy through the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University. Read more >>
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Watch the video for the James Lawson Institute for the Research & Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University
Dean Emilie Townes, Professor Phillis Sheppard, and Dean John G. Geer discuss the James Lawson Institute at Vanderbilt University. Watch here>>
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Divinity School welcomes new faculty focused on Latinx studies
Yara González-Justiniano is the new assistant professor of religion, psychology, and culture. González-Justiniano, who will focus on Latinx studies, brings a wealth of experience in theological and cultural study and nonprofit program leadership.
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The Art of Healing Exposition
‘Art of Healing Exposition,’ featuring 250 pieces of art, writing, sculpture, and film are displayed across Vanderbilt’s campus, including at the Divinity School until Dec.16, 2022.
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Check out our Alumni publications
For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez. In her book, Mojica Rodríguez offers wisdom and a liberating path forward for all women of color.
The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life’s Promise by Carol Orsborn. Dr. Orsborn's book is the healing vision of a woman who is a scholar in the fields of adult and spiritual development as well as a lifelong seeker.
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"My Mother Is a Peaceful Ghost": a poem by alumna Lisa Dordal, MDiv’05, MFA’11
Lisa Dordal holds a master of divinity and a master of fine arts in poetry, both from Vanderbilt University, and teaches in the English Department at Vanderbilt.
Her second collection of poetry, Water Lessons, is forthcoming in April 2022.
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Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam leads discussion on the positive role faith can play in politics
"Rather than allowing faith to fracture our politics, it should be used as a guiding force to help unify our communities," said former Gov. Bill Haslam.
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James Lawson Institute at Vanderbilt University: Research on Nonviolent Movements
Three scholars gather to discuss their research on nonviolence in social movements and the implications for effective strategies for social transformation. Thursday, October 21, 2021, 5:30–6:45 PM CDT, held virtually.
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2nd Annual Kelly Miller Smith Foundation Symposium
A symposium to share inspiration, practical ideas, and resources that can immediately be put into action to bring equity, fairness, and true blindness to America’s justice system. Thursday, October 28, 2021,1:00–3:00 PM CDT, held virtually.
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Churches and Cooperatives Toolkit and Solidarity Circles Launch
Join the Wendland-Cook Program and the Southeast Center for Cooperative Development in a conversation on how clergy and faith leaders of religious institutions can join the solidarity and cooperative economy. Wednesday, November 17, 6:30–7:30 PM CST, held virtually.
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