Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is soliciting papers for its 93rd Annual Conference. The conference theme foregrounds early twentieth century efforts to promote the vision that true democracy requires tolerance of cultural differences. Through painstaking research chronicling the historical contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of the United States, Carter G. Woodson played a prominent role in laying the foundation for a rethinking of American identity and for contemporary multicultural discourses. Submissions are encouraged that address the origins, evolution, and implications of various concepts of multiculturalism. The theme allows for broad and varied discussions of the implications of contemporary approaches to multiculturalism for people of African descent across the world.

ASALH invites scholars from all disciplines to make presentations in Birmingham on African and African American life, history, thought, and culture from the Atlantic coast of West Africa to the Caribbean Islands, Latin America, and the United States. Preference will be given to session proposals that address the specific conference theme; however, submissions addressing other important topics are invited and will be gladly received. ASALH supports and values all scholarship examining the history and lives of peoples of African descent.

ASALH will begin accepting proposals on October 31, 2007. The deadline for submissions will be May 19, 2008.

All proposals must be submitted electronically to ASALH. For information on how to make electronic submissions, please visit
www.asalh.org/93rdconvention.html

Chair: James B. Stewart, Penn State University
js8@psu.edu