Ithaca College

 Christopher House, communication studies assistant professor and former predoctoral diversity scholar, recently co-authored a paper with politics major Amanda Morales.  Titled, "Crying for Justice: The #BlackLivesMatter Religious Rhetoric of Bishop T.D. Jakes", the paper was accepted for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association in Philadelphia.

 This study examines the underlying theological motivations and rhetorical strategies that inform the #BLACKLIVESMATTER (BLM) rhetorical theology of Bishop T.D. Jakes. Using Jakes’ Huffington Post letter, “A Father’s Cry for Justice,” written in response to the 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown, Jr. as a case study, I argue that by “pulpitizing” mediated spaces, Jakes is modeling a new form of black church leadership in the BLM era. This essay demonstrates how Jakes’ rhetorical theology offer religious rhetorical assets in support of the BLM movement and can be used as interventional strategies and models for other religious leaders.

House and Morales worked together on this scholarly project as part of the 2016 Summer Scholars initiative.  Congratulations to student and mentor on this accomplishment!