This conference explores the relationship between racism and antisemitism. The urgency of this task has been made evident by the emboldening of racist and nationalist movements across the globe. In the UK, tangled and tense debates within the Labour Party around accusations of antisemitism have further underscored the need to think creatively and critically about these issues.
In the past, the studies of racism and antisemitism were closely linked, and in some cases were inseparable. In recent decades, however, a parting of ways has become evident, and today, scholars of racism and antisemitism are all too rarely in dialogue with one another.
The conference sets out to explore the limits and possibilities of bringing together the studies of racism and antisemitism. In particular, it will explore the theoretical dimensions of this broad issue, with sessions on Critical Theory, Intersectionality Theory, Whiteness Studies and Postcolonial Studies.
10.00 – 10.20am – Tea & Coffee, Registration
10.20 – 10.30am – Introductory Remarks
10.30am – 12.00pm – Panel 1: Critical Theory
Jack Jacobs, CUNY
Christine Achinger, University of Warwick
Discussant: Esther Leslie, Birkbeck
12.00 – 12.45pm – Lunch
12.45 – 2.15pm – Panel 2: Intersectionality/Whiteness
Avtar Brah, Birkbeck
Anoop Nayak, Newcastle University
Discussant: Gail Lewis, Birkbeck
2.15 – 2.30pm – Tea & Coffee
2.30 – 4.00pm – Panel 3: Postcolonialism
Bryan Cheyette, University of Reading
Satnam Virdee, University of Glasgow
Discussant: Margarita Aragon, Birkbeck
4.00 – 4.30pm – Concluding Discussion
David Feldman, Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism, Birkbeck
This conference has been organised by: Brendan McGeever, Birkbeck, University of London; Ben Gidley, Birkbeck, University of London and Aaron Winter, University of East London.
Read the event blog here.