The Winona State University CLASP Lecture Series will host “Why the Past Matters: Racist Ideologies in 18th Century Discourses of Knowledge” with Elizabeth Zold at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, in Stark Auditorium 103. The event is part of the 2015-16 University Theme, Equity as a Human Right: Building Inclusive Community.
Zold will focus on the racist descriptions and ideologies found in the 18th century British discourses of knowledge, specifically those surrounding travel narratives. Specifically, Zold will focus on construction of African peoples within travelogues, the depictions of whom helped to further promote and justify the transatlantic slave trade. Using several modern examples, Zold will show the ways in which racist ideologies and descriptions appear in present-day U.S. culture.
Zold is an assistant professor of English at Winona State University. She has been published on teaching 18th century travel literature and on the representations of 18th century texts in high school textbooks and has an article forthcoming on motherhood and travel in the 18th century.
This event is part of WSU’s 2015-16 University Theme, Equity as a Human Right: Building Inclusive Community. Equity as a Human Right is about upholding people’s rights, valuing diversity, challenging intolerance, and making institutional change around issues of social justice. For WSU and its communities, partnering around a university theme has proven to be an effective strategy for bringing faculty, staff, students, and community members to the engagement table. The year-long focus will enable students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider Winona and Rochester communities to explore the intersections of identities, cultures, and abilities.
This event is free and open to the public and is available for stream via ITV in UCR ST 116 on the Rochester campus.
For more information, contact David Speetzen at DSpeetzen@winona.edu.
