SYMPOSIUM - Post-Racial States: Talking Race Matters, 4th December 2009 [30.09.2009]
Post-Racial States: Talking Race Matters
4th December 2009
10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
University of Technology, Sydney, Building 2, Level 7, Room 110
Post-Racial States is a one-day symposium which seeks to contribute to public discussion about race after Obama and the apology by asking whether a “post-racial” climate produces the tolerance and racial equality it suggests.The symposium takes its name from a term, “post-racial”, used to describe the media and political environment in the United States following the election of Barack Obama. As the first black president of the United States, media commentators suggested Obama’s election created a “post-racial” climate where discussions of race or racial issues are now obsolete. Similar events in Australia, such as the national apology to members of the “stolen generations”, have also contributed to the idea that the work of anti-racism, highlighting discrimination and inequality based on race, ethnicity or nationality, has been significantly advanced.
The symposium asks whether we can say there is such a thing as a “post-racial” state, media or political environment. Does the idea of a “post-racial” state overlook the continuing occurrences of racial discrimination, the negation of Indigenous sovereignties, and the importance of anti-racism projects in exposing and challenging institutional and social racisms?
Confirmed speakers include:
• Professor Chris Cunneen – University of New South Wales
• Dr. Paula Abood – community cultural development worker, writer, editor, activist and filmmaker
• Dr Tanja Dreher – University of Technology, Sydney
• Dr Gillian Vogl – Macquarie University
• Nicole Watson – University of Technology, Sydney
• Rashmi Kumar – Co-President, Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA)
• Maria Giannacopoulos – Macquarie University
• Mehal Krayem – University of Technology, Sydney
• Elaine Laforteza – Macquarie University
• Lara Palombo – Macquarie University
The symposium is hosted by the Trans/forming Cultures research centre at the University of Technology, Sydney and the Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association (ACRAWSA).
Admission is free. The symposium is open to all interested parties, both academic and non-academic. Attendees must register their attendance by November 20th with the symposium convenor and postgraduate representative of ACRAWSA, Dr. Holly Randell-Moon: postgraduate@acrawsa.org.au.
