The Use and Abuse of Identity for (Public) Life

 A discussion with Samir Gandesha

August 17, 2019

2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

7000 SFU Harbor Centre

515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

The question of identity has become urgent for activism in the West though the issue has been important in many other parts of the world as well in a variety of forms.

Political Identities form in opposition to oppression (or, reactively, as perceived victimization) and demand recognition, rights, and equity (or aggressively promote their denial). They also divide, become separated in privilege, get co-opted, and become instruments of domination. Can identity struggles lead to fundamental social transformation or must they necessarily be limited to the horizon of recognition and reform? Can the empowerment of identity be woven into solidarity or must it necessarily be doomed to fragmentation and the sustenance of the status quo?

Samir Gandesha’s introductory lecture and discussion, from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm will be open to all. Following a short break there will be a more focused discussion with a limited group of 25 preregistered participants.  

To register RSVP Chinmoy Banerjee, cbanerjee@telus.net.

Organized by South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) and the Institute for the Humanities, SFU.