The (Un)Restricted Knowledge Speaker Series Begins, Sparking Interdisciplinary Exchange
On October 15th at “The (Un)Restricted Knowledge Speaker Series: Black Studies as a Living Archive”, CSUS brought together an interdisciplinary field of Black Studies Scholars who shared their work to a full house. Professor Shauna Sweeny (History), Professor Maya Harakawa (Art History), Professor I. Augustus Durham (English), and Professor Derefe Chevannes (Political Science) presented work from recent individual projects in Black Studies. Shauna Sweeney’s research linked the futurity of Black Studies to a wider Diaspora Studies movement, while Maya Harakawa connected archival work from the City College of New York to student organizing efforts spanning decades. I. Augustus Durham spoke from a chapter titled “Be Real Black For Me,” connecting the lyrics and words of Roberta Flack to Black Studies. Finally, Derefe Chevannes discussed his own journey through Black Studies, linking his personal experiences from Kingston, Jamaica, to wider political and theoretical trends of Black Studies. During the Q&A section, the professors fielded questions from the audience, asking them to elaborate on ideas like political consciousness and the role of Black Studies in a university system that can deny visibility and resources to their work.
On November 6th at the “The (Un)Restricted Knowledge Speaker Series: Borders, Migration, and Belonging in America,” Professor Emily Gilbert (Geography), Professor Russell Kazal (History), and Professor Cynthia Cranford (Sociology) debuted new work from their recent publications that examine how migration has shaped, and continues to reshape, Canada and the United States. Emily Gilbert unpacked new research regarding technology and surveillance at the US-Canada border, taken in the wider context of heightening sentiments towards a “Strong Border.” Kazal contextualized Canadian multiculturalism by looking at the case study of multiculturalism in Los Angeles. Both of their articles can be found on our research Page. Finally, Cynthia Cranford engaged with ethnographic research on systems of care and social reproduction within the medical system of California. Their work sheds light on the critical role of migration studies during a time when debates over immigration, border security, and national identity dominate headlines and the policy agenda.
Missed out on attending an event this semester? The (Un)Restricted Knowledge Speaker Series will be back in the winter. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with all events and happenings at the Centre for the Study of the United States.
