Visiting Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Dallas
Dr. Gonzalez, who organized the event, introduced the topic and presented background information using examples of how the idea of race obscures the international and local perception of the Mexican people as persons with the capacity for self-determination. The notion of a certain national Being becomes an obstacle, for foreigners and locals when it is necessary to think about Mexico as a modern, multi-national, and linguistically diverse country.
Weber Chair of Social Science and Professor of Political Science, Kalamazoo College
"All American Antisemitism through Replacement Feminism"
Conventional considerations of antisemitism rely on antiquated notions of “left” versus “right” with an occasional mix of “jihadist” antisemitism and overlook the frequently overlapping themes and alliances. Dr. Elman's presentation examined, in brief, the cooptation of the women’s movement by reactionary forces within and beyond the United States and the dangers posed by this shift.
Dr. Katya Gibel Mevorach
Professor of Anthropology & American Studies, Grinnell College
"Challenges Teaching about the Intersecting Phenomenon of ‘Racism and Antisemitism'"
The discourse of whiteness and privilege, coupled with lived experiences of acts of violence and definitions of pedagogic microaggression pose challenges in creating syllabi and conversations in both the classroom and everyday conversation. Dr. Gibel Mevorach's talk focused on ways to address this as well as the persistent obsession with the relationship of Jews and Blacks.
Dr. Navras J. Aafreedi
Assistant Professor of History at Presidency University, Kolkata
"The Impact of the Hindu Caste System on Abrahamic Religious Communities in India"
79.8 percent of India’s total population of 1.3 billion is considered Hindu. The Hindu society is divided into four varnas (classes) in a hierarchy in which the Brahmins (priests) are at the top. Each of these four varnas is further subdivided into a number of jatis (castes). Those who are not considered part of any of these classes are seen as falling out of the class system and have been subjected to the worst forms of social discrimination for centuries to the extent that they were considered untouchables. Untouchability is prohibited in modern India and is punishable by imprisonment, yet it has not ended yet. The discriminatory caste system has left a strong impact on the social structures of all three Abrahamic religious communities in India.
