Our first event is a co-sponsored event with the Elliot Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology (University of St. Michael's College), the Dominican Institute of Toronto, and SSHRC funding through the Research Administration Committee (University of St. Michael's College). On Friday September 23, 2022, from 3-5 PM at Charbonnel Lounge (Elmsley Hall at the University of St. Michael's College; 81 St. Mary's Street, Toronto), Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim will be giving a lecture entitled, "Invisible: Towards a Theology of Visibility."Dr. Kim is a Korean-American liberation theologian, who serves as Professor of Theology on the faculty of the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana (USA). She is a graduate from University of St. Michael's Faculty of Theology (PhD, 2001), and Knox College (MDiv, 1995). She is the author and editor of 20 books and is a much sought-after lecturer. Among her most recent publications are:
Invisible: Theology and the Experience of Asian American Women (2021); Hope in Disarray: Piecing our Lives Together in Faith (2020), and Intersectional Theology: An Introductory Guide, co-authored with Susan Show (2018) and Planetary Solidarity: Global Women's Voices on Gender an Climate Justice, co-edited with Hilda P. Koster (2017). Dr. Kim also regularly writes for Baptist News Global, Sojourners, Faith and Leadership, and Wabash Center and have published in TIME, The Huffington Post, Christian Century, US Catholic Magazine and The Nation. She is the host of Madang podcast which is hosted by Christian Century and an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister. For more information on Dr. Kim: https://esr.earlham.edu/faculty-staff/grace-kim/Invisibility persists throughout the Asian North American story. On the one hand, xenophobia has long contributed to racism and discrimination toward Asian Americans. On the other hand, terms such as perpetual foreigner and honorific whites have been thrust upon Asian Americans, minimizing their plight with racism, and erasing their experience as racial minorities. Invisibility is not only a racial and cultural issue, but also a profound spiritual issue. The Western church—and its theology—has historically obscured the concerns of Asian North Americans. Their experiences provide a window to understand how other groups and individuals are also made invisible and marginalized. This lecture will explore Invisibility as a theological and spiritual concept and see how we can work towards inclusion, liberation and embrace through a Theology of Visibility.We hope to see you all there!
