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New Media Interventions: Black Cultural Workers, Race, and Representation

Sun, May 28, 14:00 to 15:15, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 3, Aqua 309

Abstract

Questions of race and representation have long been central to media studies, yet much research and theorizing on these questions, from political economy to cultural studies, has centered an understanding of representation based in 20th century culture industries. While these frameworks certainly continue to be relevant, 21st century interventions from Black scholars like André Brock and Moya Bailey suggest that, within contemporary media landscapes, historically marginalized subjects are increasingly and unapologetically representing themselves. This paper suggests that as raced subjects, through 21st century modes and means of production, increasingly gain opportunities for self-representation, media studies scholars must reimagine materialist critiques. While critical theory is necessary to how we understand the concept of representation, I suggest we must intervene in some of the inflexible ways it is applied in the field if we are to avoid participating in the very repression of diverse voices it illuminates.

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