Workshop: Behind the Scenes with Memoria Decolonial

Session Submission Type: Skills- and Resource-Sharing Session

Abstract

Join Memoria (De)colonial and its community partners for an engaging workshop on the radical potential of public history. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the process of building a decolonial walking (de)tour—an approach that challenges dominant historical narratives and reimagines heritage from the ground up. Together, we’ll explore the theoretical foundations of a (de)tour, the role of digital humanities, and the insights gained through grassroots collaborations.

This workshop offers both practical and conceptual reflections on what it means to engage in decolonial public humanities in the Global South. From confronting colonial narratives and anti-Blackness to addressing community displacement and the impacts of a hyper-extractive tourism industry, each (de)tour tackles urgent, place-specific issues. These experiences aim to empower communities to reclaim their histories and contest imposed forms of heritage.

Memoria (De)colonial is an educational project that critically examines the colonial legacies embedded in Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage. We work to disrupt the coloniality of historical memory through public humanities initiatives. We develop critical participatory projects that transform the way history is told, remembered, and experienced—embodying history, rooting memory in place, and democratizing the production of public knowledge.

Sub Unit

• Annual Meeting of the American Studies Association

Chair

• Rafael V Capó García, The University of Puerto Rico