Such wonderful archival research.

^

So by the 30s “racial” categories are no longer as fluid or complex?

Fascinating— thank you Suzanne

Name it....

In the USA Black is now pretty much a fixed racial category defined by the one drop rule, but elsewhere in the diaspora and on the continent blackness is not fixed. In parts of the continent we - Kaia, Suzanne and myself -would not be seen as black. In Cuba recently I was called ‘la mulatta’ in Martinique ‘la chabine’ (light skinned). Recognizing differences in skin color can result in colourism and discrimination; but can it also bee seen as a recognition of differences in experience resulting from skin color, as well as ancestral differences.

Kaia’s pandemic blog and reporting for Ark Republic from Italy has been so amazing and such a resource.

^ yes!

I’m so happy we’re talking about faculty experiences in Italy! Especially for BIPOC faculty.

Suzanne, thank you for sharing such rich history. Kaia, I'd love to hear what you think about how the electorate perceives the identity of Kamala Harris.

This is a fascinating conversation, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the idea of a potential movement to reclaim some fluidity of black identities in the U.S. and whether there is already any movement in that direction. As someone with Caribbean and Chinese heritage, I’ve often been frustrated with the fixed nature of how Black identity is approached in the U.S. so this discussion is really refreshing

So perhaps much more anxiety about being seen as darker skinned, therefore more overtly racist!

Italy

Have there been any movements/efforts to have those figures removed?

yes jeanine

I was teaching in Florence so long ago (2003 and 2004) and I was always uncomfortable about the reverence with which we were supposed to approached these objects.

Thank you so much for tracing this path out! And 100% about hair/any boundary...don't touch

Thank you, Suzanne and Kaia! This has been a wonderful event. I love the conversation format. I learned so much!

Here’s a link to the exhibit/conference Suzanne mentioned: https://lapietra.nyu.edu/project/re-significations/

Casual but also deeply “thingyfying” of living black bodies.

I am so happy to be part of this conversation. Thank you Suzanne and Kaia.

I wonder what we can do as a faculty to care better for our BIPOC faculty and students as they work and study abroad? I don’t think this is a question for you to respond to, but there are such violences and micro aggressions that get buried under the “privilege” of teaching in Florence and we need to acknowledge and attend to this.

Thanks for those comments Kaia

There’s a fascinating story of Black identity, complicated family histories, and the whitening of past lineage on NPR’s “Code Switch.”

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/30/885179622/we-arent-who-we-think-we-are

interesting! Thanks for sharing that narrative

Thank you David

Carley thank you for that question

Agree! Thank you thank you

^ agreed!

Me too!!

Almost everyday in Florence I was asked if I was Brazillian

But then, when I went to Brazil, everyone there thought I was Brazillian…

thank you so much suzanne and kaia - great conversation.

Yes drinks!

Thank you SO MUCH Kaia and Suzanne for facilitating today’s conversation!

This was great! Thank you Suzanne and Kaia

This was fantastic, and I hope we have more of this. Thank you Suzanne and Kaia!

Thank you Suzanne and Kaia, that was a great conversation!

This was wonderful. Thanks Kaia and Suzanne!

Thank you Suzanne and Kaia! This made my day!

thank you, suzanne and Kaia—this was wonderful.

And Danika and Lara - thank you!

Thank you so much everyone.

Thank you Suzanne!

Thank you so much Kaia and Suzanne! Such an important conversation.

DRINKS

What a wonderful event - Kaia and Suzanne, AMAZING!

This was such a good beginning to these conversations!

Thank you Kaia and Suzanne…wonderful conversation. I learned a lot and mainly your insights and experiences.

Thanks so much Suzanne and Kaia! Great to see you both and learn so much today,. So deep!

Thank you so much!