Dana Michelle Harris, Ph.D.

In this talk, Dr. Harris explores how Black feminist discourse constructs ethos and how Black women assert credibility in advocacy. Classical rhetorical traditions, particularly Aristotle’s concept of ethos, often exclude marginalized voices. In response, Black feminist thinkers reshape notions of authority by prioritizing lived experience, resisting intersecting systems of oppression, and engaging in activism. This redefinition, evident in the work of 19th-century figures like Maria W. Stewart and Harriet Jacobs, challenges dominant narratives and rejects respectability politics. Rather than treating ethos as an individual trait, Black feminist rhetoric presents credibility as a collective practice, where knowledge emerges from experience at the margins. This perspective continues to shape contemporary activism, influence digital discourse, and advance social justice movements.