In an intimate setting marked by scholarly enthusiasm and intellectual fervour, the AVReQ Seminar Room recently played host to an extraordinary event, “Demystifying Frantz Fanon: A Conversation with Professors Homi Bhabha and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela.” The occasion marked the inaugural installment of the Theory 101 Lecture Series, a collaboration between AVReQ and the Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, aimed at fostering interdisciplinary dialogues and cultivating a rich intellectual community.
The event unfolded as Professors Homi Bhabha and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela engaged in a profound conversation, delving into the theoretical contributions of the iconic Frantz Fanon. Attendees, comprising students and scholars from diverse academic disciplines, were treated to a captivating exploration of Fanon’s work and its relevance in the 21st century, particularly within the African context.
Professor Bhabha, the Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, and Director of the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ), Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, brought their unique perspectives to the discussion. The event not only provided a platform to revisit Fanon’s key theoretical contributions but also facilitated a space for reflection on the applicability of Fanonian theory in our contemporary moment.
The genuine highlight of the event was the impromptu dialogue that unfolded after a technical glitch temporarily interrupted Professor Bhabha’s virtual presence. The ensuing discussion, fuelled by the passion and insights of the attendees, inspired Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela to express a deep desire to extend the conversation to more platforms.
As we eagerly anticipate this next chapter in the exploration of Fanonian theory, the Theory 101 Lecture Series has undeniably left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape, setting the stage for further interdisciplinary collaborations and generative conversations in the future. The AVReQ Seminar Room, once again, proves to be a crucible of intellectual excellence, where ideas flourish and connections deepen.
The legacy of Fanon lives on, not merely in the pages of his works but in the vibrant discussions sparked by scholars and students alike, ensuring that his ideas continue to resonate in the corridors of academia.
Captions:
Demystifying Fanon 1: Professors Bhabha and Gobodo-Madikizela setting the tone for the discussion with a series of provocations.
Demystifying Fanon 2: Full house: the conversation between Professors Bhabha and Gobodo-Madikizela, drew a packed house, echoing with enthusiastic minds eager for intellectual exploration.
Demystifying Fanon 3: Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, contemplating the 21st-century challenge of responding to Fanonian proclamation, “look a negro,” and exploring opportunities to redefine identity and assert, “I’m not your white gaze.”
Demystifying Fanon 4: SU, Sociology student, Jurgens Pieterse, critically reflecting on the paradoxical nature of whiteness (and white people) in relation to Fanon’s “white gaze” in addressing institutional racism.
