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January 01, 1970

Roger S. Nam

About Roger S. Nam

Roger Nam, Ph.D., is Professor of Hebrew Bible at Candler School of Theology/Emory University. His research interests include Ezra-Nehemiah, Northwest Semitics, diaspora studies, and ancient economies. He is the author of Portrayals of Economic Exchange in the Book of Kings (Brill, 2012) and The Theology of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (Cambridge University Press, 2023). He is presently working on two books: an Ezra-Nehemiah commentary for the Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox) and The Economics of Diaspora (Oxford University Press).

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  1. As an African-American woman professor, my authority is often questioned or even challenged directly. Despite my credentials, experience, and expertise, power is not granted to me as it is granted to some other faculty. If we did have a faculty bathroom, someone would question whether I had permission to use it.

  2. Thank you for your post Dr. Nam. I must confess I have never had access to one of those “professor only” bathrooms my entire career– of course, I’ve only been at one seminary my entire career. I share a bathroom with my students in Detroit and whoever else is on our floor. Segregated bathrooms for some who have the are just an illusion of power. As you must know, it is more complex for some. I remember being at an Assoc of Theo Schools conference for new profs and a white male suggested that we all lay our authority and power down by allowing students to call us all by our first names. A white female stood up in the back of the room and said I will lay mine down when I get some. We all applauded– the women and minorities. Yet, for sure we still all have some power and authority over our students, especially when it comes to grades, and we ought to guard against abusing it even with students who challenge our right to be there and our competency on the basis of our gender and/ or race.

  3. Hi Nyasha, You make a great point – the components of ascribed power is complex, and much of it is based on systemic injustices. I need to remind myself that while in Korea, I am suddenly part of the majority – culture. Unfortunately, I know that your last sentence isn’t a joke, that’s terribly sad that a tenure track professor would have to face that.

  4. Now that’s a powerful story, Dr. Smith! I do recognize that the formation of power for faculty members is quite complex. I speak purely from my own experience. I remember as a seminary student in Seoul in the 90s, I was so amazed at the respect and honor given to professors. It is absolutely unthinkable to call professors by their first names here. By the way, I still haven’t used the “professor only” bathroom yet! It just weirds me out. With that said, I’m sitting in on a 5-hour symposium on the subject of Vatican II tomorrow (I’m at a Jesuit Institution), there will be lots of coffee, so…

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