„Getting in trouble, necessary trouble: A Discussion on Black Lives Matter”
Under this headline, 53 participants joined the Inter.Reading Book Club’s final online event in cooperation with the Center for Inter-American Studies (C.IAS), the Austro-American Society of Styria (ÖAG) and the alumni UNI graz, on January 29th, 2021. Three speakers were welcomed to the panel to discuss and reflect upon their work and research in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement:
- Sabine Bröck is Professor of American Studies at the University of Bremen, Germany, who teaches English-speaking cultures and transnational/transcultural studies.
- Elka Stevens is Professor at Howard University, USA and focuses in her research on Fashion Industry, African American Dress, visual and material culture by approaching issues of gender, identity and global culture through an artist lens.
- Nicole Wyche Huffman is a brand and marketing specialist from the USA, who as a queer Black woman has come to consult on matter of inequality and leads the Black Lives Matter Working Group.
In the course of 90 minutes, the audience and panelists discussed institutional issues in the context of the BLM movement, the question of individual as well as collective support, systemic problems and potential future social justice solutions. The audience was guided by these three high-class speakers and the insights from their respected field provided a chance not only for the book club members but for all participants to critically reflect on the BLM movement and social justice in general. The bridge between academic theories and BLM activist work provided an ideal approach to broaden our knowledge on the issue and left the audience with valuable insights.
If you want to participate in our book club next term, please send an email to Dagmar.Wallenstorfer(at)uni-graz.at! We are looking forward to seeing you there and to more great events coming up this spring!