Ex-black, that is what the American writer and cultural critic Thomas Chatterton Williams calls himself provocatively. Williams argues that while there is a lot of attention for the fluidity of gender and sexuality, when it comes to race we are still stuck in binary concepts. Should we stop using racial terminology?
Growing up in the United States, son of a black father from the segregated South en and a white mother from California, Thomas Chatterton Williams never questioned his identity: he was black. This was so fundamental to his self-conception that he never rigorously reflected on its foundations. But his experience of living in France and becoming the father of two white-looking, blonde-haired children led him to question long-held convictions about race and identity. During Vrijdenkersfestival we invite Williams to discuss his quest to unlearn race. Did we bring in the Trojan horse with racial terminology, or is thinking in ‘black’ and ‘white’ the only way to address and fight racism?
About Vrijdenkersfestival
In honnor of the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam, we reflect on our understanding of freedom and what it means to us. Freedom is inextricably linked to Amsterdam; in the 17th century, the city already served as a safe haven for freethinkers and dissenters. In collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam, BIMHUIS, and Podium Mozaïek, De Balie is organizing Vrijdenkersfestival for the fifth consecutive time. Between October 31 and November 3, various programs will be presented exploring this theme through debates, theater, and other art forms.
Twenty years ago, Theo van Gogh was murdered. His last words were, ‘Mercy, mercy. Can’t we talk about it?’ Although the Netherlands was deeply divided after the murder, Van Gogh’s plea can be seen as a call to action. How do you keep the conversation going in a country where people seem to be finished talking with each other?
Twintig jaar geleden werd Theo van Gogh vermoord. Zijn laatste woorden waren ‘Genade, genade. We kunnen er toch over praten?’ Hoewel Nederland na de moord diep verdeeld raakte, kan Van Goghs smeekbede als opdracht gelezen worden. Hoe hou je het gesprek gaande in een land dat met elkaar lijkt uitgepraat? Tijdens het Vrijdenkersfestival richten we
Is the UvA a bastion of wokeness? Does the VU let both its Palestinian and its Jewish students down? Were the blockades of Amsterdam University College an expression of academic freedom?
Twintig jaar geleden werd Theo van Gogh op straat in Amsterdam vermoord. Een gebeurtenis die Nederland voorgoed veranderde.
