The aim of this panel is to look at how spatial mobility and the reference to a territorial homeland (‘real’ or ‘imaginary’) influence the processes of appropriation, reappropriation and disapprioriation of colonial memory in the African diasporas. In a context of the liberation of subalterns memories, many authors consider that slavery and colonization have become since the 2000s, the controversial memorial repositories in both Europe and the United States as in Africa. However, processes of selection, denial and invisibility remain, particularly in old European cities. The emergence of new migratory routes, particularly overseas, can sometimes be associated to liberating acts from social actors fleeing multiple discriminations they have experienced or are afraid of in Europe.

Argument

The aim of this panel is to look at how spatial mobility and the reference to a territorial homeland (‘real’ or ‘imaginary’) influence the processes of appropriation, reappropriation and disapprioriation of colonial memory in the African diasporas. In a context of the liberation of subalterns memories, many authors consider that slavery and colonization have become since the 2000s, the controversial memorial repositories in both Europe and the United States as in Africa. However, processes of selection, denial and invisibility remain, particularly in old European cities. The emergence of new migratory routes, particularly overseas, can sometimes be associated to liberating acts from social actors fleeing multiple discriminations they have experienced or are afraid of in Europe. Beside ‘subalterns claims’, contested memories and modes of questioning national accounts, we are particularly interested in the expression of patterns of social differentiations towards the colonial memory. These different ways to interact with the colonial past will be explored taking into account: the migration path, the circulation within a given diasporic space and multiple social affiliations.

Scientific responsability

Convenors:

• Sarah Demart, CEDEM , Liege, Belgium/ Marie Godin, CMRB - University of East London/
• Gertrude Mianda Chair/ School of Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies York University (Toronto).

Submission guidelines

Propositions of paper (tilte + abstract of no more than 200 words) should be sent

before 25th April 2014

to: sarah.demart@ulg.ac.be

The panel takes part in the ASAUK biennial conference, to be held at the University of Sussex and will run from 2pm on Tuesday Sept 9th to 3.30 pm on Thursday 11th September 2014.