Introduction to the Rhetoric of Race Blog Series

Welcome to a new chapter here at annettemadlock.com. Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing a series of papers I’ve written for my course, Rhetoric of Race, part of the Certificate in Religion and Practical Theology program at Memphis Theological Seminary.

This series is more than an academic exercise; it is an exploration of how language, history, and theology intersect with lived experience. The rhetoric of race shapes not only our public discourse but also our faith communities, our institutions, and our personal narratives. By engaging with these texts, I hope to spark reflection, dialogue, and a deeper understanding of the ways words can both wound and heal, as well as divide and unite.

Each post will present one of my papers in its original form, offering readers a window into the questions, tensions, and insights that emerged through study and reflection. My aim is not only to share scholarship but also to invite you into conversation, because the work of dismantling harmful narratives and cultivating liberating ones is always a communal endeavor.

I invite you to journey with me through this series, to read with an open mind, and to consider how the rhetoric of race continues to shape our shared world. May these writings serve as both mirror and map: reflecting where we are and pointing toward where we might go together.