International Conference on Afr-latin@s: Call for Papers

The afrolatin@ forum invites proposals for “Afro-Latin@s Now: Strategies for Visibility & Action,” a conference to be held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the CUNY Graduate Center and El Museo del Barrio on November 3-5, 2011.

   This three-day international conference will gather scholars, community leaders and artists to advance a dialogue on issues of importance to Black Latin@s in the United States as well as foster positive relations between Latin@s, African Americans and other peoples of color. Recognizing that studies of Afro-Latin@s are multidisciplinary, we seek proposals for papers, panels, performances (music or theater), film, and graphic arts from any branch of Afro-Latin@ studies.

   The goal of the conference--organized by the afrolatin@ forum, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The Center for the Humanities of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, El Museo del Barrio, and the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research-- is to promote dialogue and mutual understanding amongst and between Afro-Latin@s, the broader Latin@ and African American populations, and the general public including other peoples of color. The organizers want to expand and consolidate the network of educators and activists dedicated to these themes, and to begin defining the key educational and policy issues that bear on the recognition and empowerment of this population group.

   "The afrolatin@ forum--reads an statement on their website--works to build and strengthen research and activist networks among Latin@s of African descent in the United States. Our focus is on Black Latin@s in the United States and their relationships with other communities of color. This emphasis is guided by a transnational perspective that recognizes the centrality of race in understanding today's global reality and the struggle for social justice."

    Individual abstracts should be 250 words or less and should be submitted by Monday, May 16, 2011. Please include a five-line biography, and your institutional/organizational affiliation and contact information. Direct all submissions to Guesnerth Josúe Perea at gjperea@gmail.com or info@afrolatinoforum.org, or by clicking here.  For more information on the conference please click here.