The Black Room: Revisiting “Blackness” in the Global 21st Century in conjunction with: The Institute of International Studies, The American Cultures Center and The Department of African American Studies presents:
“Who We Be: The Colorization of America”
Jeff Chang, Author/Activist
December 3rd, 4-6pm
Maud Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall
Lecture Abstract:
Race.
A four-letter word. The greatest social divide in American life, a half-century ago and today. During that time, the U.S. has seen the most dramatic demographic and cultural shifts in its history, the "colorization" of America. But the same nation that elected its first Black president on a wave of hope (another four-letter word) is still mired in endless culture wars. How do Americans perceive race now? After eras framed by words like “multicultural” and “post-racial,” do we understand each other any more clearly? Join us for this event with Jeff Chang to hear about the stories and ideas behind his much-anticipated follow up to Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. From the dream of integration to the reality of colorization, Who We Be: The Colorization of America remixes comic strips and contemporary art, campus protests and corporate marketing campaigns, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Trayvon Martin into a powerful, unusual, and timely cultural history of the idea of racial progress.
The Sponsors:
The Black Room: Revisiting “Blackness” in the Global 21st Century:
http://iis.berkeley.edu/programs/the-black-room-revisiting-blackness-in-the-global-21st-century
The Institute of International Studies: http://iis.berkeley.edu/
The Department of African American Studies: http://africam.berkeley.edu/
The American Cultures Center