Olave Nduwanje Basabose moderates conversation series on African identity and resistance

On Thursday 2 March, the series kicks off with a conversation on organising by racialised communities. A significant number of people living in Belgium are part of communities that have experienced generations of the violence of racialization. Racialization is a political process that involves assigning a group a racial/ethnic identity for the purpose of institutionalizing socio-political domination, economic exploitation, police repression and cultural marginalization. But where there is institutional violence, there is organized resistance. Olave will investigate and explore the history of organized resistance against racism in Belgium. With journalist Pat Patoma and community organizer Ayoub Bouda, she will seek to better understand how racialized communities have historically (and presently) worked together towards their collective socio-economic emancipation and liberation.

On Wednesday 8 March, International Women's Rights Day, we will discuss the struggle for gender and sexual diversity in modern Africa. The guest speakers will be Shakiro and Nick Arnaud Giriyuja. Shakiro is a well-known trans woman, blogger, make-up artist and LGBTQIA+ activist in Africa. After nearly being killed by repeated violence in Cameroon, where homosexuality and trans identity are punishable, she was granted a humanitarian visa by Belgium. Nick Arnaud Giriyuja is also a political refugee and queer activist with a focus on the hosting and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ migrants in Belgium.

On Thursday 16 March, it will discuss the coloniality of ethnicities, tribes and clans. The speakers will be announced soon.

Conversations on Facing Violence takes place in the Beurscafé, starts at 7pm each time and is free.

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