Cinematic Intersection (LoveCraft Country): “I Am”: Black Feminist Futures and Possibilities in the Academy

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

“Name it, where do you want to be, who do you want to be? Name it, name it!”~ Beyond C’est. This session is inspired by the story of Hippolyta Freeman as featured in episode 7 of LoveCraft Country. Titled “I Am,” the episode explores the theme of naming, particularly who gets to name Black womyn’s lives and experiences, as well as the dominating structures designed to prohibit them from limitless possibilities. In this session, panelists explore educational responsibility through a deeper understanding of Black womyn navigating the academy using afro-futurist, Black feminist, and critical race feminist lenses. Panelists also grapple with themes from across their work (i.e., educational law, inquiry and methodology, the professoriate, womens and gender studies, and pop culture) to discuss possibilities where Black womyn not only survive, but thrive and craft spaces of liberation and freedom in and beyond neoliberal educational spaces happy to benefit from their myriad contributions while simultaneously devaluing their humanity.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Natasha N. Croom, Clemson University

Participants

• Venus E. Evans-Winters, African American Policy Forum

• Treva Lindsey, The Ohio State University

• Esther O. Ohito, Rutgers University

• LaWanda W. Ward, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

Presenter

• Grace Gipson, Virginia Commonwealth University