Critical Conversations: K(no)w Voice, K(no)w Power: Exploring Authenticity and Identity
This provocative session will explore themes and ideas from Touré’s book, Who’s Afraid of Post- Blackness: What it Means to Be Black Now, prior to his campus visit on October 10. It will challenge our perspectives through quotes from the book and question prompts, such as:
“It takes one sort of courage to ignore and defy the white gaze but another kind of courage entirely for a Black person to ignore and defy the Black gaze….” - Which is more powerful in influencing thought and action – criticism of an opposing outsider or criticism of those we consider to be on the same team?
"Not only is Black culture available to whites and others, but white culture, or any culture, is available for Blacks to use, deconstruct, and recontextualize at will." - Who owns culture: individuals or groups?
“I felt uneasy about being able to relate to white people because some voice deep in my mind told me maybe I shouldn't be okay with being liked by them because maybe that suggested something was wrong with me.” - Is being comfortable around a different race something that is taught or instinctual?
“Shut up, Touré! You Ain’t Black!” - Is identity based more on values or on biology?
Facilitated/Developed by: Mel Wininger, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of English, and students in W140, Reading, Writing, and Inquiry (Honors)
Open to all IUPUI faculty, staff and students - Light refreshments provided
Questions: Contact Dan Griffith at dgriffit@iupui.edu (317-278-4230)