On #BlackLivesMatter #BritainIsNotInnocent

The SOAS Festival of Ideas, Decolonising SOAS Working Group, & Centre for African Studies have coordinated a discussion Black Lives Matter.

Abstract

In light of recent anti-Black violence at the hands of the American state, the world has erupted in protest against systemic racism. The Black Lives Matter movement, which was a fringe organization over the past decade, is now leading the charge and discussions about defunding the police. At SOAS we know that silence is violence. Objectively, Black Lives Matter!

We at SOAS want to honour the African-descended Americans George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others who have reignited the movement against state sanctioned violence against minority populations. Here in the UK, we are reminded of the loss of Black and Asian lives due to police brutality and institutional racism. We remember Mark Duggan, Stephen Lawrence, Azelle Rodney, Anthony Grainger, Joy Gardner and others unnamed. That is why we are coordinating a discussion entitled On #BlackLivesMatter #BritainIsNotInnocent.

Coordinated by the SOAS Festival of Ideas, the Decolonising SOAS Working Group, and the Centre for African Studies this event will take place on Friday 17 July from 3-5pm GMT. A panel of leading experts will explore the histories of the Black Lives Matter movement, examine ongoing coloniality, scrutinise how whiteness operate in contemporary discussions regarding the BLM movement, and contextualise the global anti-racist movements in education.

Our presenters include:

Dr. Ousmane Sene, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, English Department
Alana Lentin, Western Sydney university, Critical Race Studies
Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White
Triple Cripples

The event is free to attend but registration required. Register here.

Organiser: SOAS Festival of Ideas, the Decolonising SOAS Working Group, and the Centre for African Studies

Contact email: Stephanie Guirand (at sg96@soas.ac.uk) and Maya Goodfellow (at mg70@soas.ac.uk)