[SydPhil] Invitation to Symposium: Critical Perspectives on “Transrace” (29th of Nov)

[Adam Hochman]

INVITATION TO SYMPOSIUM: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON “TRANSRACE”



This symposium brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to critically assess the concept of transrace and discuss its controversial emergence. Speakers will deconstruct the idea of transraciality, asking whether it has any value when it comes to understanding processes of racialisation, the politics of racial assignment and the role of diversity and inclusion in society. Key questions include:



* What is “transrace”?

* Are claims of transraciality new, or is this merely a new term for an old concept?

* Is it ethical to attempt to change one’s “race”, whether through social and psychological transformation or through physical alteration? Is it possible?

* Do the answers to these questions depend on which group one wishes to transition from and to, or on the motivations of the particular individual?

* Does the concept of “transrace” problematise racial classification, or does it reify race?

* What are the ethical duties of people that are read as “racially” ambiguous?

* What is the relationship between “transrace” and “passing”?

* What role does ethnicity play in claims of transraciality?

* How can the social justice interests of affirmative action and reparations programs be balanced with the dignity interests of individuals who wish to self-classify?

* What are the differences between the North American and the Australian context when it comes to the politics of racialisation and the question of identity choice?



These are just some of the questions we will be asking at “Critical Perspectives on “Transrace””, which is taking place at Rigpa Sydney (158 Australia Street, Newtown) on the 29th of November, 9am-5:30pm.



International guest speakers include Associate Professor Ann Morning (NYU), Professor Camille Gear Rich (USC) & Assistant Professor Rebecca Tuvel (Rhodes). Local speakers include Dr Yves Saint James Aquino (MQ), Dr Albert Atkin (MQ), Dr Bindi Bennett (USC), Dr Adam Hochman (MQ) & Taylor-Jai McAlister (MQ).



Please RSVP to adam.hochman at mq.edu.au<mailto:adam.hochman at mq.edu.au> by the 15th of November.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.sydney.edu.au/pipermail/sydphil/attachments/20191106/e3e72623/attachment-0001.html>