¿Y Nosotros Qué?: Acknowledging the AfroLatin@ Immigrant
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Graduate Center of the City University of New York
The social experience of Afrolatin@s differs in important ways from that of the general Latin@ immigrant population. This panel will seek to describe that unique reality, and to analyze and respond to the blatant invisibility of AfroLatin@ immigrants in the US. Why are AfroLatin@ immigrants not quantified, or even acknowledged, in the current immigration debate, and what are the consequences of this erasure, both for AfroLatin@s and for the relations between Latin@ immigrants and the African American community? How can we be sure to include AfroLatino voices and realities in the overall immigrant struggle? How might Afrolatin@ immigrants and advocates help bridge gaps of language, culture and historical experience, and link diverse communities involved in present-day immigrant reform movements?
Graduate Center of the City University of New York
The social experience of Afrolatin@s differs in important ways from that of the general Latin@ immigrant population. This panel will seek to describe that unique reality, and to analyze and respond to the blatant invisibility of AfroLatin@ immigrants in the US. Why are AfroLatin@ immigrants not quantified, or even acknowledged, in the current immigration debate, and what are the consequences of this erasure, both for AfroLatin@s and for the relations between Latin@ immigrants and the African American community? How can we be sure to include AfroLatino voices and realities in the overall immigrant struggle? How might Afrolatin@ immigrants and advocates help bridge gaps of language, culture and historical experience, and link diverse communities involved in present-day immigrant reform movements?
Guesnerth Josué Perea is co-founder of AfroColombia NY, and the Director of Programming and Communications for the afrolatin@ forum. His research has been published in Let Spirit Speak! Cultural Journeys through the African Diaspora, and his insights on social media as a tool for change appear in Just BE Cause: Ah Ha Moments To Inspire the Next Generation of Change Makers. He has been a speaker on issues concernig Afrolatinidad at many events, most recently presenting at the LATISM Conference. Josué holds degrees in Latin American history and theology.
Christina Greer is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fordham University - Lincoln Center campus. Her recently published book, Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream, investigates the ethnically diverse Black populations in the US. She finds that both ethnicity and a shared racial identity matter, and also affect policy choices and preferences for Black groups. Christina has a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University, and is a board member of Project Vote and an ardent supporter of FIERCE in NYC and Project South in Atlanta, GA.
Janvieve Williams has centered her academic and professional life on working on issues pertaining to women, youth and children. She is also a media and communications specialist who served as executive director of the Latin American and Caribbean Community Center. The human rights organization focused on spreading democracy and racial justice throughout the Americas, particularly for Afro Latinos. Janvieve is one of the founders of Ginger Moon, a mother owned, worker cooperative.
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Alan A. Aja is Assistant Professor and Deputy Chair in the Department of Puerto Rican & Latin@ Studies at Brooklyn College - The City University of New York. He has a doctorate in Public & Urban Policy from the New School, and a Master of Arts in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. Prior to entering academia, Alan worked as a labor organizer in Texas and conducted human rights and environmental education research in Latin America. His research and publications focus on racial disparities, ethnic enclaves, intra-group colorism, immigrant incorporation, inter-group relations, Latino political power and race-based affirmative action. He has done extensive research on Afro-Cubans in Florida, and is completing work on a new book.
Opal Tometi is the Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) an organization that educates and advocates for immigrant rights and racial justice with African-Americans, Afro-Latinos, African and Caribbean immigrant communities. A resident of New York City, she also supports BAJI’s flagship program, the Black Immigration Network (BIN), a nationwide network of Black-led organizations, programs and individuals uniting for racial justice and migrant rights. Tometi is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants who migrated to Phoenix, Arizona in the 1980s. She has been organizing for immigrant rights for over 10 years.
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