Our encuentro seeks to deflate the dichotomy of university space/community space, by focusing on already existing practices, networks, strategies, tools, and concepts, that subvert the binary division between “university” knowledge and space, and “community” knowledge and space. This focus seeks to “connect the dots” and recognize a different set of definitions for “community,” “university,” and “knowledge,” definitions based on the fundamental awareness of a rich experience and history of radical spatial practices by Chican@s and other oppressed peoples. We recognize that these practices have always used creativity, imagination, performance, role-playing, conversation, storytelling, music, ceremony, and other art forms, to deconstruct the binary bases of dominant spaces, and to take the risks necessary to activate alternative, radical space. We also recognize that these practices function through the construction of networks of support that include multiple sites of knowledge production/exchange, and sharing of resources. This alternative space allows for connection, decolonization, re-humanization, and love and respect, and is based on a conscious engagement of all spaces as possible sites of resistance and learning, as well as on a fundamental understanding of all space as being connected.
Rather than looking for answers from within, holding more conferences, and “exploring” these topics with other academics, then, we propose that we need to be drawing from this rich history and its existing networks, and actively participating in it, together. We invite participants to activate the space of the conference through a participatory, “active learner” approach that will include workshops, art, music, performance, discussion, sharing, and listening. In the indigenous spirit of inclusivity, listening, and sharing, the CSUN Chicana/o Studies Graduate Student Association invites participation from all persons interested in working towards a raising of consciousness based on the fundamental resistance to, and rejection of, all forms of oppression, including neo-colonialism, capitalism, hierarchy, classism, homophobia, heterosexism, patriachy, and all other forms of gender and sexuality oppression, as well as general and institutionalized racism, environmental racism, ecological destruction, and the oppression of indigenous peoples.
THEMES:
-Community: Benefiting and building community; participating in communities in movimiento
-Recognizing, foregrounding, and activating bridges/networks of support, knowledge production/exchange, and cultivation
-Problematizing concepts of “university,” “knowledge,” “community,” and space
-Indigenizing, de-institutionalizing, decolonizing the academy
-Participatory, “active-learner” workshops, panels, and presentations
-Cultivating/Cultivation
-Art: performance, visual, storytelling, music, poetry, multimedia
FORMAT:
Encuentro activities will take place in a variety of formats which will overlap in a flexible setting designed for a cross-pollination of ideas, perspectives, communities, modes of expression, and spaces. Formats include, but are not limited to, paper and oral presentations, performances, and workshops. We are open to alternative and hybrid formats as well, and we invite proposals from all persons engaged in consciousness raising based on a fundamental rejection of all forms of oppression. We envision the involvement not only of graduate scholars and professors, but of youth, community college students, and other community members, grassroots activists and organizers, and artists and other cultural producers.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Contact us at: cgsadecsun@hotmail.com; mail to: Attn: CGSA, Chican@ Studies Dept. 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330; or call 818-631-1983.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND PROCESS:
There is no deadline for submissions as long as you give us notice within a fair amount of time. Please check our website for updates (http://www.csun.edu/~cgsa).
MORE INFORMATION:
cgsadecsun@hotmail.com