University of California, Berkeley

Spring Edition 2006 Vol IV, Issue 2 Hierarchies of Color Conference Words from the Director The CRG Presents Transnational Perspectives on Modern Day the Social and Cultural Significance of Skin Color Slavery: In Our Own Country? he mandate given to T the Center for Race and Gender by UC Berkeley was to focus on two intertwined dimensions – race, and gender. In recent weeks and months, a truly shocking situation has Participants included (from left to right): Tanya Hernandez, Philomena Essed, been uncovered, layer by rot- Trina Jones, Verna Keith, Evelyn Nakano Glenn, Waldo Martin, Taunya Lovell ten layer, which shows how Banks, David Palumbo-Liu, Lourdes Martínez-Echazábal, Aisha Khan, Eduardo race and gender have been Bonilla-Silva, Paola Bacchetta, Kamala Kempadoo, Jyotsna Baid, Edward Telles, Chancellor Birgeneau gives the -- and still are -- manipulated Joanne Rondilla, Maxine Leeds Craig, Percy Hintzen and Robyn Magalit Rodri- opening address at the CRG’s Dec guez (Jim Block) by the most powerful political 2-3 Hierarchies of Color Conference. and commercial groups in our Coverage on pp 12-17. (Jim Block) O n December 2-3, 2006, as Prop 209 have created. society for their own greedy the Center for Race and Birgeneau emphasized the monetary purposes. Unfortu- Gender hosted “Hierarchies of importance of the CRG’s work nately, this incredible situation Color: Transnational Perspec- in collaboration with the newly has been in part enabled by tives on the Social and Cultural initiated Berkeley Diversity persons in our own backyard. WHAT’S INSIDE Significance of Skin Color,” a Research Initiative for sup- My guess is that a poll of conference that emerged from porting diversity, equity and UC Berkeley students asking, 2 - New Works by the work of the CRG sponsored inclusion on campus. “This “what is the Commonwealth of Affiliated Faculty Colorism Working group. The conference is an absolute para- the Northern Mariana Islands?” working group, made up of digm for the research needed to 3-5- Thursday Forums would produce mostly vacant faculty and graduate students move us forward on diversity.” stares and shrugged shoulders. from various UC campuses, has 6 - Book Talk Coverage of the Colorism Con- The same would be true of the met over the last several years ference continues on page 12. vast majority of Americans. 7 - Alondra Nelson to explore the societal impact of Rachel Quinn Yet thousands, even millions of skin color. The conference grew us, unknowingly are wearing Faculty Spotlight: 8 - from the research and discus- garments made in this “com- Sandra Smith sions that resulted from this monwealth” – made by young interaction. 10-11 - Undergraduate Asian women, held in condi- Chancellor Birgeneau Grant Recipients tions of virtual slavery, subject opened the conference by re- to sexual and physical harass- 12-17 - Hierarchies of marking on the necessary work ment, unprotected by wage, Color Conference of racial inclusion that lays hour, health or other protec- ahead for Berkeley--in particu- tions--all working long hours 18-19 - Filipino Sympo- lar he noted that September’s under grim circumstances. sium incoming class of 800 engineer- The Commonwealth of ing students did not include a 23 - Announcements the Northern Mariana Islands single African American. He (CNMI) is a United States went on to say that the dimin- territory in the mid-Pacific ishing diversity on campus is about 1,200 miles north of the CRG Director Evelyn Nakano Glenn an example of the “educational Philippines. It consists of 14 apartheid” that initiatives such speaking on skin-lightening at the Hierarchies of Color Conference. Jim Block —continued on page 21 CENTER FACULTY AND STAFF Center for Race and Gender New Works by CRG Affiliated Faculty University of California, Aihwa Ong, Anthropology pace with these changes. gender, and American Berkeley Neoliberalism as Exception: We still tend to believe that citizenship in the first third 642 Barrows Hall Mutations in Citizenship and police behavior is shaped by of the twentieth century Berkeley, CA 94720-1074 Sovereignty, a monolithic professional with a particular focus on Phone: 510-643-8488 Duke University Press, 2006. subculture, to which all recruits the experiences of Asian Fax: 510-642-9810 This book offers either assimilate or fall victim. American women in http://crg.berkeley.edu an alternative view of That belief has made it hard accessing and losing formal neoliberalism as a malleable for us to see the ways in which citizenship. EDITOR & LAYOUT technology of governing that the new diversity of police Johnny George is taken up in different ways workforces has altered the (2) (Editor with Mary by different regimes, be they dynamics of law enforcement. Dudziak) Legal CONTRIBUTORS authoritarian, democratic, Borderlands: Law and the Michael Barnes, Ruha Benjamin, or communist. Ong argues Margaret W. Conkey, Construction of American Jim Block, Iyko Day, Janet that an interactive mode of Anthropology Borders, Johns Hopkins Duong, Johnny George, Donna citizenship is emerging, one “Dwelling at the Margins, University Press, 2006. Hiraga-Stephens, Evelyn Nakano that organizes people—and Action at the Intersection? Where legal rights are at Glenn, Diana Halog, Gladys distributes rights and benefits Feminist and Indigenous issue, borders and territory Nubla, Jeff Packman,Tianna to them—according to their Archaeologies, ”Archaeologies, continue to play a powerful Paschel, LyFranshaua L Pipkins, marketable skills. As the v.1 n. 1, 2005, 9-59. role, especially as certain Trisha Tiamzon, Rachel Quinn, seam between sovereignty This article is about the spaces, such as Guantanamo Glenn L Robertson and citizenship is pried apart, possible intersections between Bay, Cuba, are marked To sign up for our mailing list: a new space is emerging what may be considered by the US government as e-mail majordomo@listlink. for Non-Govermental feminist and indigenous outside legal restraints on berkeley.edu with the following Organizations (NGOs) to archaeologies. Two dimensions government power. Yet command in the body of the advocate for the human of archaeological interpretation the law also extends the message: rights of those excluded by that are integral to both United States beyond its subscribe centerrg-list neoliberal measures of human feminists and indigenous literal borders, through, for worthiness. scholars are the place and role example, efforts to export To subscribe to Faultlines of “experience,” and the uses democracy. This edited send an e-mail to: David Alan Sklansky, Boalt of oral traditions and story- collection focuses on the [email protected] with School of Law telling. Two additional aspects relationship between Law your mailing address “Not Your Father’s Police of archaeology are discussed and American Studies to ask Department: Making Sense where intersectionality once territory becomes less of the New Demographics of and collaboration may be critical to scholarship in the ADVISORY COMMITTEE Law particularly fruitful: the discipline, what constitutes Alice Agogino Enforcement,” Journal understanding of gender roles the frame of American Thomas Biolsi of Criminal Law and and in the archaeology of Studies? Steve Crum Criminology, v. 96, Spring space. By suggesting that both Angela Harris 2006. archaeologies are working Rachel Moran, Boalt Charles Henry This article explores the towards the transformation School of Law Percy Hintzen nature and extent of the of archaeological practices, (1) “Whatever Happened Elaine Kim demographic transformation this review aims to encourage to Racism?” St. John’s Law Colleen Lye of the police workforce. The further development of Review, v. 79 n. 4, 2005, 899- Beatriz Manz virtually all-white, all-male transformative coalitional 927. Laura Pérez police departments of the consciousness. At the height of the Martin Sanchez-Jankowski 1950s and 1960s have given civil rights movement, Tyler Stovall way to departments with Leti Volpp, Boalt School of anti-discrimination laws Charis Thompson large numbers of female and Law focused on eradicating Barrie Thorne minority officers, often led (1) “Divesting Citizenship: On racism, that is, individual Nelson Maldanado Torres by female or minority chiefs. Asian American History and animus toward members of Khatharya Um Openly gay and lesbian the Loss of Citizenship through other racial groups. Today, officers too, are increasingly Marriage,” UCLA Law Review, surveys of public opinion becoming commonplace. But v. 53 n. 2, 2005. our beliefs about the police The article examines the have had trouble keeping intersection between race, —continued on page 20 FEBRUARY FORUM Martin & Raiford: Revolution’s Media and Cultural Affect n February 9 the over the signs of blackness. O Center’s Afternoon One of the primary Forum featured presentations features of photography by Leigh Raiford, Assistant Raiford emphasized was its Professor of African ability to record rather than American Studies, and simply depict reality—to Waldo Martin, Professor of serve, according to poet and History. Their papers shared physician Oliver Wendell a focus on the historical and Holmes, as a “mirror with political capacity of media— a memory.” What this specifically photography means, she explained, is that and music—to negotiate a photography is a medium complex dialectic between that is always in dialogue radical Black cultural politics with the past. Therefore, Leigh Raiford & Waldo Martin (J George) and commodity-based popular African American attempts culture. Professor Raiford’s to positively resignify a clear message about the text headings—for example, presentation recounted the meaning of blackness 1965 murders of James “Free Angela”—these both the limitations and through various photographic Chaney, Andrew Goodman, celebrity photographs possibilities of the medium of forms and manipulations and Michael Schwerner, summon an era of black photography in the history of are nevertheless made members of the Student radicalism and serve a hybrid black cultural politics while intelligible by a history of Nonviolent Coordinating purpose of commemorating a Professor Martin explored images included in what she Committee (SNCC) who radical past while repackaging issues of cultural affect called the “shadow archive,” were abducted and killed Davis and Newton as icons produced by R&B and soul a term coined by Allan during Mississippi’s Freedom of revolutionary style music of the 1970s and their Sekula to refer to the sum Summer, a campaign rather than revolutionary political role in Black radical of images that accounts for organized to increase black social change. Despite the social movements. Both one’s position in a socially voter registration. The 1965 clear commodification of presentations advanced new prescribed hierarchy. For manipulation of the 1910 black radicalism by Vibe ideas and questions on the instance, 19th century photograph not only puts photographers, Raiford historical relation between portraiture, a popular means the SNCC murders onto cautioned against the racial politics, form, and for African Americans the historical continuum of wholesale dismissal of this cultural affect. to remake themselves by violent white repression, it pop cultural homage to the Professor Raiford employing visual tropes of also inscribes new meaning icons of the Black Power began the forum with a uplift and respectability, was into the original photograph movement. She emphasized paper entitled “Restaging inseparable from a shadow by re-presenting the three instead the power of these Revolution: The Black archive that included images lynched men as stand-ins contemporary images to Panther Party and of lynching, criminality, for Chaney, Goodman, and speak to a political desire Photographic Memory,” and sexual and scientific Schwerner. to connect with a radical which focused on theorizing objectification. Raiford also pointed to past. Photography, Raiford a progressive potential of Looking to more recent more ambivalent negotiations concluded, is a repository of photography for Black examples of African with images from the shadow cultural values and meanings cultural politics. In spite of American photography, archive, particularly in that shift over time and can photography’s limitations— Raiford examined the role contemporary fashion spreads provide us with clues to insofar as the current of the shadow archive in featured in the popular urban further define black cultural hypervisibility of black bodies contexts of black social music and cultural magazine, politics. often serves as a false proxy protest. In particular, she Vibe. In these fashion Waldo Martin followed for racial equality—Raiford noted the political potential spreads contemporary black with “Be Real Black for Me: emphasized the importance of the shadow archive celebrities, such as Cynda Representation, Authenticity, of recognizing that African in a 1965 photographic Williams and Nas, pose as and the Problem of Modern Americans have historically reproduction of a 1910 Black Panther revolutionaries Black Cultural Politics,” capitalized on the unique lynching of three unnamed such as Angela Davis and a paper that explored the properties of photography men, under which the word Huey Newton. Featuring history and politics embedded to resignify the meaning of “Mississippi” is written. stars in brand-name in an early 1970s song “Be the black body that had been The effect of reframing the revolutionary drag and dehumanized by centuries of original photograph, Raiford positioned under provocative —continued on page 9 white domination and control explained, is that it sends 3 MARCH FORUM Music, Race, and Nation: Music Scholars at the CRG Forum n March 2, the Center overlooked by those who O for Race and Gender lump them into more general revealed its musical side categories such as “fusion,” and hosted presentations “ smooth jazz,” or “world by two UC Berkeley music.” Building on the music scholars, Francesca variety of contradictory ways Riveira and Kevin Fellezs. Hiroshima is classified and Rivera, a PhD candidate in citing comments made by the Ethnomusicology and Fellezs, band’s leader that valorized a President’s Post Doctoral diversity, Fellezs pointed Fellow in Music, presented out that although their music does defy easy categorization new writing from their current Kevin Fellezs & Francesca Rivera (J George) research projects. United by by the music industry, it still the theme “Music, Race, and manages to reach a broad project is based primarily on ignored these elements or Nation,” both focused on the public. Using this point, ethnographic fieldwork, her described them in a way that relationships between music- and questioning the common presentation focused on masked their ties to Africa. making, discourses about conflation of commercial the place of blackness in Rivera concluded her talk music, and the negotiation of success and poor music, Panama’s national imaginary by noting that Garay’s work racial identities in two distinct Fellezs concluded that, rather through the close reading of established the paradigms contexts. than falling into a “liminal an influential text written in by which music and race are Dr. Fellezs began the space” between dominant 1930 by Panamanian statesman discussed in Panama today; program with his paper, genre typologies and racial and composer Narcisco Garay. the tamborito is embraced “Hiroshima: Performing categories, Hiroshima carves According to Riveira, Garay’s as Panama’s national music a Hybrid Identity” which out a position for itself as a collection of folk songs was and dance, while its African situates the successful Asian- “central part of a continuum” conceived and written during a derived characteristics American fusion band within of categorizations, bridging period of intense searching for continue to be occluded, along discourses of jazz authenticity differences with its own national identity in Panama. with blackness more broadly, and cultural diversity. distinctly hybrid identity. Referencing two critical events from typical constructions of Fellezs argued that this of the time, the violent uprising national music and identity. group of Japanese-American of an indigenous group and Following the two musicians combines elements [Hiroshima] a treaty limiting Panama’s presentations, the panelists of “traditional” Japanese control of the Canal, Rivera fielded a variety of questions music with a variety of challenges contextualized Garay’s work related to their particular “American” musical styles racialized notions and politicized his inclusion studies, but the discussion and in the process, challenges of indigenous practices and tended to focus on some of racialized notions of musical of musical his conspicuous exclusion of the broader implications of the categories as well as black/ categories as well those that might be marked as paper topics. For example, white binaries that pervade “foreign.” Hiroshima’s relevance for much discourse on race in the as black/white For Garay, the cultural young Asian Americans was United States. Fellezs pointed binaries that influence of Africa, which queried in comparison to out that, despite—or perhaps came to Panama via Afro- other musics such as Asian- because of—their commercial pervade much Caribbean immigrants from American hip-hop. Similarly, success, Hiroshima has been discourse on race in the West Indies, fell into the lasting impact of Garay’s largely ignored or disparaged the latter category and was work was discussed further. by jazz critics who view the US. therefore omitted or obscured When asked about the status them as “inauthentic” in in his text. Rivera illustrated of other African-derived comparison to other Asian- this argument by juxtaposing practices in Panama, Rivera The second paper of American jazz musicians a contemporary recording of noted that these musics, the afternoon was given working in more avant-garde Panama’s national music and while sounding much like the by Francesca Rivera, who settings. On the other hand, dance, the tamborito, with tamborito, lack its discursive presented a chapter from her he noted, the identities of Garay’s description of it from construction as “national” and dissertation, Mucho Mas que 1930. She pointed out several are therefore, marked as black band members and their un Canal: Musical Emblems clear sonic markers of African and “not Panamanian.” proficiency on Japanese and the Construction of the musical instruments such as musical influence and then Nation. While Rivera’s larger Jeff Packman koto and shakuhachi are often illuminated how Garay either PhD Student, Music 4 DECEMBER 2005 FORUM Representations and Articulations of Gender and Nation in India global economy. in sexual norms, with the fear Radhakrishnan went on to fo- that women adopting global or cus on how this image of a global Western sexual norms is a serious India is lived out through gender threat to the nation and reason to and class. Her focus was couched remain in India. in the literature on gender and Radhakrishnan closed her pre- nationalism including Nira Yuval- sentation with the initial image Davis’ (1997) work that empha- from the magazine, “Is the hand sized the centrality of gender covering the face a challenge to and meaning in nation building American tech workers, or the projects, and Partha Chatterjee’s new veil? Is it a symbol of as- work on India’s nationalist serting national assertiveness and period, at time when the middle- autonomy, or a symbol of a new Huma Dar and Smitha Radhakrishnan (J George) class woman was viewed as the form of restrictive womanhood? embodiment of India’s superiority The answers to these questions he December 2005 CRG media attention centered on to the West. “Chatterjee’s work are necessarily unclear. That in T Forum featured Smitha outsourcing in the US and the helps us to see that the invoca- imagining a new India, a global Radhakrishnan, a PhD Candi- growing high tech sector of tion of a sacred, spiritual core in India, is a process that inherently date in sociology and Huma India. Radhakrishnan saw a gender terms can be an effective is encoded in terms of gender and Dar, a PhD Candidate in South juxtaposition of globalization, nation building tool.” Using data class.” and South Asian studies. Their cultural politics, nationalism from 60 in-depth interviews she talks centered on the theme and gender within the image. conducted with professional IT “Representations and Articula- Radhakrishnan moved on women, Radhakrishnan demon- tions of Gender and Nation in to address dynamics under- strated that these ideas are still India.” Both talks focused on pinning the representation relevant contemporarily. cultural politics and mainstream of India as an Information Radhakrishnan saw women portrayals of particular groups- Technology (IT) success and in high tech industries as global -portraits motivated by the de- discussed the central con- and making up a population that sire to gain or impact political tradiction of the image. The makes the nation look global. capital nationally and globally. tech boom centers on urban Her other resolution to the central Radhakrishnan began her areas such as Bangalore, contradiction of the identifica- talk “‘Global Indian’: Women with a 500% growth of the tion of the new India with a tiny and the Cultural Politics of IT IT industry over the last five elite is based on this gendered India,” with observations on years; however, this industry center, “The public face of Indian an image from the cover of only represents 0.2% of the IT is a woman, so that the IT Cover of Wired, February 2004 Wired Magazine, “Her palm is workforce. The central ques- revolution of India signals a covered in Mehndi, a traditional tion she posed was, “How gender revolution too. A gender Huma Dar’s talk entitled form of decoration in India does this tiny elite come to revolution looks and sounds a lot “Gendering Kashmir and En- and the Middle East that has symbolize a new India both more broad base than if we just Gendering the Terrorist” centered become popular in mainstream for a broad international audi- saw the IT base as elite men.” on the representations of the media culture. At a closer look, ence and an urban domestic Radhakrishnan pointed out that Kashmir people in cinema and we find the Mehndi is not the audience?” She resolves this women articulate their ability literature. She demonstrated how floral and abstract designs that contradiction by theorizing to be simultaneously global and the mainstream dialectic on Kash- usually cover the palms of In- and analyzing a concept of Indian through discourses of mir is infused with politically dian brides and Bollywood star- Global Indianess defined by, restraint. Particular aspects of a motivated misrepresentations that lets. The Mehndi includes soft- “A hybrid nationalism that global lifestyle are made compat- in effect reposition the history and ware code. The headlines read, infuses a sense of national ible with what interviewees called efforts of the Kashmiri people to ‘Kiss your cubicle goodbye, belonging with a sense of core ‘Indian values’ which are assert their independence. tech jobs are fleeing to India global belonging.” Middle commonly tied to the notion of She began with words at- faster than ever.’” Radhakrish- class women working in the family. She went on to discuss tributed to Jawaharlal Nehru, the nan called attention to a number IT industry are the key agents gendered restraint using examples first Prime Minister of India, on a of dynamics played out in the and icons of this new India, from the interviews. Two areas visit to Kashmir in 1940. “I wan- image, including the projec- and simultaneously embody of this restraint were in consumer dered about like one possessed tion of a feminized, sexualized the sanctity of national cul- values--spending is linked with and drunk with beauty, and the image of India at a time when ture and the profitability of a being a good Indian woman--and -continued on page 21 5 CO-SPONSORED EVENTS Shifting the Geography of Race and Reason in Three New Volumes n February 17 the Center such as: “What is Latin O hosted a launch of three American philosophy?” or edited collections that chart “Does Africana existentialism exciting new ground in Latin exist?” The problem with American, Caribbean, and prolegomenal discourses, African diasporic social Gordon explained, was thought. Presenters included that their engagement was Lewis Gordon, Laura H. caught up in a level of formal Carnell Professor of Philosophy abstraction that often eclipsed at Temple University, who the real issues of race or introduced two of the three gender difference. Thus the volumes, Not Only the Master’s three new books usher in a Ramón Grosfoguel, Nelson Maldanado-Torres, Lewis Gordon Tools: African-American post-prolegomenal era that (J George) Studies in Theory and does not simply question Practice, and A Companion the possibility of Native effective tools of liberation. identified as outmoded and to African-American Studies, American phenomenology, Arguing for the creative and myopic, particularly those both which he co-edited with for instance, but rather constructive role of theory focused on a trajectory of Jane Anna Gordon, Lecturer produces work committed in struggles for liberation, black assimilation, separatism, in the Department of Political to its understanding and then, the collection attempts conservativism, and liberalism. Science at Temple University. development. to challenge what Gordon As Gordon explained, this Introducing the third text, The first book Gordon termed “epistemological trajectory no longer forms the Latino/as in the World-System: discussed, Not Only the colonization,” referring central problematic of African Decolonization Struggles in Master’s Tools, attempts to to the wholesale rejection American Studies. Rather, the 21st Century US Empire, challenge anti-theoretical of or blind dependence he identified a widespread were its three co-editors from biases in the field of on European theory. By intellectual movement out Berkeley: Ramón Grosfoguel, African American studies. outlining the significance of nation-based contexts Associate Professor of Chicano Reconsidering the powerful of theory to liberation of analysis, which have Studies; José David Saldívar, legacy of Audre Lorde’s praxis, the text also charts contributed to making legible Professor of Ethnic Studies phrase from which the title the parameters of a post- a host of historical and social and English; and Nelson borrows, contributors in this European science drawn intersections between the Maldonado-Torres, Assistant collection demonstrate that from various western and African diaspora and other Professor of Ethnic Studies. the master is not the only subaltern knowledge systems. groups in the Americas. Each of the four editors made one with tools available and As Gordon explained, this Professor Grosfoguel presentations that outlined that destroying the master’s philosophical undertaking followed by introducing the main goals of each tools is not the only valid does not reject the totality of the third text of the launch, collection while identifying response to oppression. continental philosophy but Latino/as in the World-System. linkages among them and They do so by showing rather cultivates the liberatory He explained that this text is their connection to a growing that theory can take into dimensions of reason to the first of a 3 volume series constellation of work devoted account complex processes undermine the non-reflexive that represents the collective to what Professor Grosfoguel of creolization and social systems of positivism and outcome of conversations on referred to as the “decolonial interaction that can form more instrumental rationalism that liberation theology, border shift” in the Eurocentric ego- infect western philosophy. thinking, and decolonization— The central concern of the dialogues that have largely politics of knowledge. Lewis Gordon began the second volume, Companion taken place at Berkeley and session by contextualizing the to African-American Studies, have involved interlocutors arrival of the three anthologies is to reassess 30 years of from across the US and the as the mark of an end of an African American academic Americas. Thematically intellectual era, one he felt institutionalization and to related to the two other was stifled by oversimplified consider future directions titles in the series, Settling race theorizing and what in the field. One of the Postcoloniality and Mapping he called “prolegomenal” impetuses of this critical the Decolonial Turn—both discourses, that is, discourses reevaluation of the field was due out later this year—the that question the abstract the need to move beyond central concern of this first origin of certain, usually non- traditional models of black —continued on page 9 European, epistemologies, José David Saldívar (J George) scholarship that Gordon 6 CO-SPONSORED EVENTS The Race for Roots: People of African Descent in the Genomics Age n an overflowing gathering that people have to communities UK is one example where we Nelson described, and low- I on Thursday February 24th, or ethnic groups in Africa; affili- find the negotiation between tech identity crafting [e.g. UC Berkeley welcomed Yale ations that are a result of their science and sociability hard tribal affiliations that were professor Alondra Nelson to conventional genealogical work at work. Members of this created by slaves in Bahia] campus to present a talk entitled or spiritual or cultural affinity to group were initially brought as well as high-tech crafting “Genealogical Branches, Ge- this or that region. together through participation in the roots pursuit among netic Roots, and the Pursuit of In refuting the idea that the in a BBC program that uti- Anglos in the US. In the African Ancestry”. The event, impact of genomics science on lized genetic heredity tracing first instance, the questioner which grew out of collaboration communities of color neces- technology to connect Black raised the issue of whether among the Center for Race and sarily involves the complete Brits to Africa. But while the process Nelson docu- Gender, the Science, Technol- geneticization of identity, Nel- findings from the genetic tests ments is all that novel, at ogy, and Society Center, and son’s research uncovers novel led members of the group to which she responded that in the department of Sociology, identificatory processes in which form very deep attachments many ways she is describing was one of the first of its kind at scientific categories are socially, to their resulting regions of a socio-cultural process of UCB to focus on the impact and origin, when confronted with identity formation like any meaning of genomic science for an evolutionary geneticist that other. But the role of scien- people of African descent. revealed major inadequacies tific knowledge in identity Based on ethnographic field- with genetic heredity tracing formation at a time when work among African American technology, Motherland mem- such techniques seem to genealogists in the US and bers barely heeded the scien- have mass appeal opens the Britain, Nelson described the tific skepticism. Most of their possibility that many more consumption and interpreta- newly formed attachments people can take part in this tion of genetic heredity tracing to specific ethnic groups in particular racial project. To services in peoples’ effort to Africa were too strong for the second question, involv- determine their African-based new scientific information ing genetic heredity tracing origins. She argued that the to sever the ties that were among other groups, Nelson academic milieu, in which the created by genomics track- responds that she actu- epistemological basis of ‘race’ ing services. One of Nelson’s ally finds many similarities. is most often debated, routinely Alondra Nelson (E Nakano Glenn) respondents, Beulah, had gone While admitting that her overlooks the perspectives of so far as to get engaged to a sample of predominantly Af- those for whom the stakes of rican American middle and culturally, and historically me- man and build a school in her the debate are especially high. upper class women, limits diated. These processes, in turn, newfound “community-of- The terms of the Race- her ability to describe pat- are occurring in a novel space- origin” in equatorial Guinea. Genes Debate, as Nelson calls terns in the ways that people -a digitized Black Diaspora Upon hearing the evolutionary it, whereby the biological basis are interpreting genetic where race is not simply reified geneticist say that her genetic of race (race-naturalism) and heredity tests, she notes at in the geneticists’ lab, but in information could equally link the social construction of race least two ‘kinds’ of African the everyday lives of those who her to a completely different (race-pragmatism) are coun- American and Black British participate in online chat com- region, Beulah dismissed the terpoised, is not an especially consumers--those for whom munities like AfricanAncestry. new information that under- useful dichotomy through genetic heredity testing is com, who purchase genetic he- mined the “diasporic genetic which to understand the crafting part of their role as ‘kin redity tracing kits from compa- kinship” that she actively of African diasporic subjectivi- keepers’ [ie. those who keep nies like Ancestry by DNA, and fashioned. Examples like this ties in the Genomic Age. In the track of a family’s history], who associate in genealogical lead Nelson to argue that the everyday lives of the people or those for whom testing is clubs with others in leisurely contest among race-naturalists Nelson encounters, racial iden- tied to a sense of personal or hot pursuit of their roots. and race-pragmatists inad- tity is indeed being transformed loss that is experienced as a While we find people incorpo- equately captures the complex by scientific practices that seem result of being severed from rating genetic test results into amalgam of biological proofs to provide an objective origins one’s African origins. their identities in very differ- and sociabilities that charac- account, but the uptake of Two additional queries ent ways, one constant among terize the race for roots. genomics science is rarely ever were raised, both of which Nelson’s respondents is that the In the discussion follow- accepted so absolutely. Instead, I found deeply troubled the results gain meaning through a ing Nelson’s talk, participants the meaning accrued to new- very interesting story of deeply social process that never raised a number of interesting found information about genetic wholly defers to the authority questions that queried the re- ties to particular African regions of science. lationship between the African -continued on page 22 takes shape alongside social ties The Motherland group in the diasporic subjectivities that 7 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Faculty Spotlight: Sandra Smith, Sociology

hen I discovered the black poor’s social isolation. ing for assistance and position “W William Julius Wilson’s Smith feels that Newman’s work themselves as sort of self-reliant The Truly Disadvantaged, has impacted her own. individualists who don’t need that was my fun reading Smith is currently complet- any assistance. Smith identifies outside of class. I ultimately ing her first book,Lone Pursuit: such hyper-individualism as decided that sociology was Distrust and Job-Finding among a great barrier to a population the thing I wanted to do.” the Black Urban Poor. She ex- who crucially requires coop- At the time Sandra Smith plores the question of persistent eration to build a job network started as an undergraduate joblessness and problematizes necessary for finding gainful at Columbia University, she the notion that the social capital employment. was a pre-law student who deficiencies in reference to black The notion of trustworthiness intended to major in political urban poor are the result of led Smith naturally to the ques- science. However, she found social isolation from the main- tion of, “how does one make a that sociology offered more Sandra Smith (courtesy of the Berkeley Sociology website) stream. She argues that the black determination of ‘impeccability direct answers to the questions urban poor are not as isolated of character?’” Smith explains of social inequality that had a rich, intellectually driven as the literature indicates, since the weight that prior relation- been instilled in her as a social foundation for Smith. they have networks that extend ships have on trustworthiness, youth growing up in Hartford, The fact that her fam- beyond their own communi- “One of the interesting things I Connecticut. “My father ily lived in a predominantly ties. She examines what factors found when I first started doing was terribly engaged in the black populated area of Hart- prevent those who can make this research was that people questions of inequality, and it ford also influenced Smith’s job connections and influence said, well of course relatives planted the seeds of interest intellectual trajectory. Hart- hires from doing so for those and close friends will always that created my sociological ford was the insurance capital who are not directly connected step in for you because of that imagination. Instead of of the US with an affluent to the market. “What I argue is bond. The bond mattered but thinking about inequality in suburbia and a significant that there is actually pervasive only because those people had terms that a lawyer might, I number of white collar jobs, distrust. Unfortunately, a lot of a history of information from a preferred puzzling through but despite this affluence, the people within the black com- long period of time and could it like a sociologist would.” employment rate for blacks munity buy into the notion that assess worthiness or risk. Peo- Smith had interest in exploring in the central cities remained blacks are ‘screw ups’ so have ple were turning down brothers the underlying factors in low. As a teen, she found it to be very protective of their and sisters, even mothers, left the formation of an “urban difficult to understand this own status and reputation. It and right. The closeness, in my underclass.” She saw her disjunction, especially since creates this generalized distrust estimation, was based on how time as an undergraduate the unemployment rate for about assisting, because there is well they knew the person, so as an opportunity to better blacks was steadily growing this fear that it is a risky move. that they could vouch for them understand the sociological as many working class jobs They tend to help those whose without feeling that they would phenomena that informed her were leaving the area in the reputations are completely pure get burned.” Smith found that experiences growing up. 70s and 80s. As an adoles- from a mainstream point of reputations mattered a great Smith’s father arrived to cent, Smith saw the discon- view. When you look at popula- deal, but because they often the US from Jamaica on the nect between the growing tions of the black poor, lots of us lacked information about oth- day John F. Kennedy was poverty of the working class have issues, generally speaking, ers’ reputations, job holders assassinated. More crucially, and the large availability of that would call us into question.” frequently felt the need to have his arrival coincided with the white-collar jobs in the sur- She believes that environments information about people based formation of the Civil Rights rounding area. full of social obstacles and on personal experience and movement and the Vietnam After graduating from barriers to desired jobs make knowledge. War, in which he was drafted Columbia, Smith went on to individuals from such areas Although not a direct aim of to serve. According to Smith, the University of Chicago appear problematic and high the study, Smith increasingly these iconic social events in- to pursue a PhD. Her deci- risk. The ultimate result of such saw the role of institutions in fused into him a strong interest sion was partially influenced an association is an atmosphere the dynamic involving the con- on issues of racial relations and by one of her mentors, and of distrust and non-cooperation nection between the employed the roots of racial and ethnic Smith also found an affin- in relation to building connec- and unemployed. She noted inequality. His experience ity for Chicago’s program. A tions to the job market. The job that mainstream institutions led him to engage in intense key influence for Smith was seekers themselves know that perpetuate distrust since they debates on race and class in Katherine Newman, famous persistent job hunters are seen as don’t provide services or infor- society; these dialogues formed for critiquing the notion of untrustworthy, so they fear ask- —continued on page 22 8 FEB 2005 FORUM & CO-SPONSORED EVENT Martin and Raiford Three New Volumes —continued from page 3 —continued from page 6

Real Black For Me” from emphasis on the logic and collection is to decolonize a non-European perspective. the hit duet album, Roberta imperative of black love in western epistemology through Saldívar also emphasized the Flack and Donny Hathaway. the context of radical black non-European and subaltern important intellectual legacy Using the song to think social movements. Inspired perspectives that originate in of the late poet and theorist, through and locate a form of by theorists such as Franz the Americas. Grosfoguel Gloria Anzaldúa, whose revolutionary affect evident Fanon, a key concern of was careful to distinguish theoretical contributions are in music from the politically- this evolving emphasis on these subaltern perspectives woven deeply into the fabric charged era of the late 1960s African American affect from those linked to the field of this project. In particular, and 1970s, Professor Martin was to inspire the political of postcolonialism, which her ideas surrounding focused on the extent to insurgency to account for he argued was limited by “border-thinking” remain which social revolution is the toll of white supremacy its allegiance to exclusively essential to scholars mapping guided by great feelings of on black spiritual and western paradigms of thought. theories of coloniality in love—and the extent to which emotional health. Flack In order to move beyond the Americas. Saldívar R&B and soul music were and Hathaway, in affirming postcolonialism, therefore, closed by acknowledging central conduits of those blackness and black love in the volume introduces the that although Anzaldúa’s feelings. His attention on their music, brought together concept of “transmodernity,” conceptualization, along with Roberta Flack and Donny a number of issues related derived from liberation ideas of liberation philosophy Hathaway in particular to black cultural nationalism philosopher Enrique Dussell, and transmodernity, were served to underscore the and the role of black love to underscore its engagement not defined in Raymond multiple and complex in framing possibility and with multiple epistemologies Williams classic dictionary, traditions that informed hope for those involved and to undermine western Keywords, that indeed they their musical training and in revolutionary struggle. philosophical claims to were the crucial keywords contributed to their musical At the same time, Martin “abstract universals.” It is of decolonialization, of the accomplishment. underscored the strategic this acknowledgement of the future, and of an alternative After playing Flack rather than essentialist core multiplicity of knowledge lexicon—a contradictionary. and Hathaway’s “Be Real of Flack and Hathaway’s systems that forms the core Nelson Maldonado-Torres Black For Me” for the project even while their song of the text’s decolonial concluded the session by audience, Martin introduced boldly attempts to racialize theorizing. Although the reiterating the significance the notion of the “secular love in the context of the volume centers on Latino/as, of the three new books in hymn” to characterize the Black Power movement. Grosfoguel explained that it signaling a new stage in hybrid tradition that anchors He stressed that freedom is inclusive of other voices, approaching philosophy, the song. In addition to and equality, similar to particularly Native American, one that was thoroughly being a tribute to joy and love, remains abstract and African American, and Jewish dialectical, interdisciplinary, spiritual triumph similar to elusive—that being real American scholars who post-national, collaborative, a prayer song, Flack and black and loving blackness also engage in the problem and interethnic and interracial. Hathaway’s song also evokes are above all an unfinished of decolonization under For Professor Maldonado- an emotional register of the process that Flack and conditions of empire. Torres, the telos of this Black Power movement. To Hathaway reiterate in their Professor Saldívar continued project was its rethinking of this extent Martin defined the lyrics: “in my head I’m the session by remarking on the philosophical basis of the secular hymn as a form that only half-way together,” the influence on decolonizing modern university, particularly occupied the liminal territory emphasizing an evolving theories and methodologies the abstract premises of where the secular and sacred state of being and becoming. by Latino/a thinkers such the human sciences that meet. He noted in particular Here affect channels an as Anibel Quijano from repress questions of race and that the spiritual intensity and active identification and Peru, Enrique Dussell from gender difference. To this emotive power of the song interaction with an ongoing Mexico, and Walter Mignolo extent, he observed the many are most resonant in the piano black struggle that hinges from the US. In frequent overlappings between the and vocals—specifically on the enhancement of black collaboration with Berkeley concerns of Latino/as in the Flack’s alto and Hathaway’s spiritual and emotional well- scholars over the past five World-System and Professor tenor—musical techniques being. years, these theorists have Gordon’s edited volumes. In that were cultivated in the cultivated a remarkably particular, he identified their space of the church. Martin interdisciplinary research intersecting attempts to engage Iyko Day observed how the song also program that resignifies PhD Cand., Ethnic —continued on back cover reflects a growing black theory and knowledge from Studies 9 UNDERGRADUATE GRANT RECIPIENTS Spring 2006 Undergraduate Grant Program Winners Seven undergraduates from various disciplines receive grants to complete research

he Center for Race and (2005) has shown that (LGBT) resource center, I T Gender Undergraduate minority group members hope to target transgender Grants Program drew an feel less authentic interacting youth and transgender impressive number of with people outside of their people of color (POC) applicants for the Spring 2006 ethnic group than with their about their rights, provide semester. The Center funds in-group. Feeling inauthentic useful information about the undergraduate program has larger repercussions transgender friendly medical to support and motivate externally; people who feel care, social workers, and research or creative projects inauthentic also report higher legal professionals, and foster with a race and gender focus. negative affect and lower the growth of a diverse, Grants awarded this semester life satisfaction. There are yet inclusive community. ranged from $500 to $700. many reasons why people Traditionally, the transgender Congratulations to the seven feel inauthentic during such community has been the target grant winners. interactions, but one likely of discrimination, violence, part of the explanation is and social stigma, all of Jenny Ace based on regulatory focus which could be combated Environmental Science, theory (Higgins, 1997). This through increasing the public’s Jenny Ace Policy & Management theorizes that people interact awareness and education on Co-management: A with the world in two ways. the issues and experiences of Reasonable Goal? People who are promotion transgender people. I intend focused gear themselves to address this concern by I am interested in the toward aspirations and creating a zine by transgender relationships between gains and eagerly approach people to increase awareness Aboriginal peoples and Parks challenges. Conversely, and promote education about Canada in and near National prevention focused people transgender people’s lives. Parks, to see how they can vigilantly avoid negative be applied to potential co- outcomes (Seibt & Forster, Lee Moua management situations 2004). In my project I will test Ethnic Studies between Native Americans the hypothesis that stigmatized Situating Social Capital and the National Park Service people who interact with in Education: A Hmong- in the US. This summer I someone outside of that group American Analysis will visit two Parks in British become more prevention Columbia to examine co- focused and less promotion management and co-operative focused which leads them to As reported by the grassroots Stefanie Como management arrangements modify their behavior and feel organization Hmong National and evaluate the more and less authentic. Development Inc., data from less successful aspects of the 2000 Census indicates their implementation. I am Alyn Jay Libman that the median age of the grateful to the Center for Race American Studies Hmong population in the and Gender for supporting East Bay Transgender Drop- United States is 16.1 years this research, which I hope In Resource Center compared to 35.3 for the US will be useful in my intended population. In addition, over career with the National Park I am conducting a public half (56%) of the Hmong Service. service project that would are under the age of 18. This create a safe space in which statistic suggests that the Stefanie Como transgender people and their Hmong community consists of Psychology allies can work together a relatively young population Regulatory Focus and to educate the transgender with many individuals still Interethnic Interactions community. Housing my in primary or secondary project at the Pacific Center, education. Thus, it is essential Past research by Shelton, the East Bay’s lesbian, gay, to explore characteristics such Richeson, and Salvatore bisexual, and transgender as social capital that may Alyn Libman 10 UNDERGRADUATE GRANT RECIPIENTS

hinder/facilitate academic governments. achievement among Hmong In the past, the relationship students. For my project, I between the federal Amanda Pojanamat will conduct interviews with government and Native Sociology Hmong high school students in American tribal governments Migrants, Modernity, the Central Valley. It is hoped has been grossly and McDonald’s: A Case that my initial research will misunderstood. Recently, Study of “Modernized” perpetuate further projects to the image and governmental Subjectivities in Thailand’s complexify Hmong education capabilities of tribal Global City and inevitably assist the governments has morphed Hmong student population. as a direct result of increased Why do “poor” rural Thai economic development women migrate to Bangkok Jobert Poblete within Indian Country though to work at places like Anthropology tribally owned and operated McDonald’s? By conducting Masculine Maneuvers: enterprises. In the era of interviews with this particular Family and Profession in the self-determination, tribal group of McDonald’s Lee Moua Transnational Labor Market governments have become employees, I hope to more proactive in their illuminate the independent Immigrant Filipino nurses governance over their land influence of the “development have become an ubiquitous and tribal members. I am discourse” (Escobar) – or part of hospitals and nursing interested in the changing the cultural values that favor homes throughout the United governmental structures and the “modern” over the States. My project will look social obligations of the tribe. “traditional” – on the active at male Filipino medical I plan to conduct ethnographic decisions they make by doctors that are retraining research on the Redding exploring how these women to be nurses in order to gain Rancharia, the Hoopa Valley interpret their exploitation access to the American labor reservation and the Grindstone and/or manage it. market. I will conduct a reservation, in Northern My current research interest multi-sited ethnography that California, by living on is geared towards the will follow their trajectory these reservations during the exploration of discourses of from the hospitals and nursing summer of 2006. My methods “modernity” and their effects schools of the Philippines will be a mixture of research on female subjectivities in the to the hospitals and nursing in contemporary articles global South; which schemas Jobert Poblete homes of the United States. regarding on-reservation and frames or attitudes and Why do these men engage in beliefs about what it means this strategy of “downward” to be “modern” do or do not and “outward” mobility? produce active social change? How do they navigate the What forms do dissenting complex web of maneuvers views take in a globalized --gendered, professional, and and exploited “Third World”? transnational--necessitated by To answer these questions the international labor market? is to explore the different How are they remaking challenges and opportunities themselves as fathers and that globalization and the health care professionals? development discourse have My project will interrogate offered women of the global gendered migration flows by South. looking at the experiences of Filipino men undertaking a transition to a typically female- Amanda S Pojanamat Authored by the Spring gender associated profession. 2006 Grant Recipients socio-economic issues, federal J. George J. Photos provided by documents, formal interviews Christine Poitra Grant Recipients unless and attending tribal functions. Legal Studies otherwise indicated. Christie Poitra I expect that this research Social and Economic Change will provide an in depth view in Indian Country into contemporary tribal

11 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE Hierarchies of Color Conference The CRG Presents Transnational Perspectives on the Social and Cultural Significance of Skin Color Panel I: Colonialism and the the audience members when he Development of Color Con- presented images of a black South sciousness African woman standing in a shan- David Theo Goldberg, UC tytown amid shacks beside a door Humanities Research Institute displaying a larger-than-life poster and African American Stud- of a white child. All of the images ies, UC Irvine he shared demonstrated starkly “Like, Not Like: Color, Coding the dichotomy between “white and Classification” space” and “black space” in South Philomena Essed, Critical Africa, with the former signified Race, Gender and Leadership by empty, expansive, privatized, Studies, Antioch University walled estates, in opposition to “Color Evasion: The Dutch the latter’s tented and tin-roofed Solution?” communities made up of tiny Commentator: Paola Bac- rooms and tight quarters. Goldberg chetta, Gender and Women’s concluded with a look at the South Paola Bacchetta (left) and Philomena Essed (Jim Block) Studies, UC Berkeley African census, noting that the non-white. Her observations --Rachel Quinn South African census documents about the culture led Essed to Panel II Hybridity, Racial racial categories that shift over examine the lack of critical Democracy and Colorism time, with expanding terminology dialogue on race in her own Edward Telles, Sociology, reinforced by the government’s classroom. Most whites had UCLA racialized perspective. never thought about race until “Race and Color: Fuzzy Con- Philomena Essed of Antioch signing up for the class and cepts Lost in Translation” University contributed to the none of them felt particularly Lourdes Martínez- panel with her work on colonial- attached to a definable white Echazábal, Literature, UC ism and the development of color culture. When asked to write Santa Cruz consciousness in the Netherlands. about whiteness, having come “Cuban Color Revisited” Her presentation “Color Evasion: from relatively homogeneous Commentator: Stephen David Theo Goldberg the Dutch Solution?” explored the communities that were “ra- Small, African American Anglo-import of the critical study David Theo Goldberg of cially unconscious,” students Studies, UC Berkeley of whiteness. Essed sees in her invariably wrote about Dutch- According to UCLA soci- the UC Humanities Research own students, ‘color evasion,’ the Institute, UC Irvine presented ness. Essed concludes that ologist Edward Telles, “color” idea of being aware but ambiva- such a perception preserves is what fundamentally defines his work as a combination of lent about color, experiencing it theoretical reflection and a ideologies of white superior- the “race problem” resulting but not wanting to acknowledge it. ity under the guise of cultural from Brazil’s colonial legacy. history of the South African She points out that although there Census. Color, Goldberg as- preservation and allows white It is very common for Brazil- is not a Dutch word for “white- Dutch privilege to shape ians to use race to refer to their serted, is always a mediated ness” in the Netherlands, there phenomena. Color defines Dutch identity. national identity and “color” is a commonly used Dutch term Thoughtful commentary to refer to race. Hence he sug- race in conjunction with other allochton meaning “non-native.” indicators such as habits and by Paola Bacchetta from gested that we begin to look at It distinguishes non-whites from Gender and Women Studies color as simply another form speech; nevertheless, color whites and is used by the govern- is what we recognize viscer- closed the panel discussion. of race. ment when talking about citizen- She led to further reflections Although Brazil imported ally, and it is used as a marker ship. Essed notes that the privi- of shared culture. Goldberg through questions such as, seven times the number of lege of white skin is not talked “What are the class anxieties enslaved Africans as the noted, “Color is an example about, while color is referred to of our commitment to seeing tied to race?” and “What is United States, no official racial suggestively through comments the place of heterosexuality distinction ever emerged. This the world in fixed terms” and such as, “to me you’re not an al- as human beings we make “ir- in the construction of race?” legacy, Telles added, has cre- lochton,” a comment meant to be Bacchetta further noted that ated a strong sense of nation- rational investments” based on complimentary. Essed sees that emotional beliefs. Goldberg’s the notion of white is fluid, alism in Brazil as well as a allochtons may be recognized as yet when such a notion is more fluid system of racial assertion was exemplified by Dutch at some level but never the response elicited from chromaticized, individuals identity in which the zone of seen as “real” Dutch since they are shed nation and ethnicity. ambiguity is much larger than 12 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE chy and meaning. Small also are malleable, Bonilla-Silva raised the important issue of suggests. He goes on further non-Latin American academics to say that substantial cultural dominating race scholarship differences are frequently in that region. Both panelists overcome by phenotype, lead- agreed that there is an increas- ing to new alignments. The ing amount of research on emerging challenge becomes race and color being produced political mobilization around by Latin American scholars; racial identity and oppres- however, most of it is lost in sion in a social climate where Panel II: Stephen Small, Edward Telles & Lourdes Martínez-Echazábal translation. ongoing negative associations --Tianna Paschel with blackness cause Ameri- the US. Telles problematized that in this work, Guillen tries cans to focus their energy on the dichotomy between US to avoid mentioning real color Panel III Colorism Within and fighting against being labeled and Brazilian race relations by classifications by employing Between Communities as black. looking at the ways in which ambiguous words like “nis- Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Soci- Bonilla-Silva predicts that race in the US may be more of perol,” which is a fruit whose ology, Duke University the population of “whites” in a continuum than people ar- color varies depending on “E Pluribus Unum at the Bot- the US will grow in size and gue. Telles showed that when how ripe it is. In many ways tom of the New Amerika: Ra- social importance, and the looking at income, mixed this work paints Cuba as a cial Justice in a Latin America- ideology of colorblind racism, race people in Brazil (pardos) “cocktail” or mixed race nation like USA” about which he has written earn only 44% of what whites which will eventually become Verna Keith, Sociology, Ari- extensively, will become even make, which is only 4% more one race, she added. Martínez- zona State University more important. He warned than their black (pretos) coun- Echazábal argued that this “A Colorstruck World: Color- that racial statistic collections terparts who earn 40% of what reflects the common notion in ism, Racism, and Sexism in will eventually end, and all whites earn. In contrast, sur- Cuba that the country’s history the Lives of African American data on the economic distance vey data disaggregating the US of unwavering nationalism Women” created by race will no longer African-American population allows for the possibility for Commentator: Waldo Mar- exist. Bonilla-Silva urged by color shows that those that the Cuban people to transcend tin, History, UC Berkeley activists to play a role in were “very light” earned 80% racial categories. Although Eduardo Bonilla-Silva consciousness raising among of what whites make whereas she acknowledged that Cuba is joined sociologist Verna Keith whites who are separating those in the “very dark” cat- still far from being color blind, in this energetic panel where themselves from the grow- egory earned only 53% of their she asserted that the notion they presented some of their ing population of blacks and white counterparts. Telles of racial transcendence is a earlier work on the subject of thereby erecting a stratified concluded by emphasizing process of racial healing and “Colorism Within and Between social system. that race relations in Brazil are redemption that is important Communities.” With a specific look at not static. Recent policies in for understanding how Cubans Bonilla-Silva offered predic- how racial dichotomies make Brazil such as affirmative ac- view themselves. tions on race in “Amerika.” Ra- meaning in peoples lives, tion suggest that while the US In response to a question cial mandates, he said, attempt Verna Keith spoke to issues of is moving towards colorblind posed by moderator, Stephen to erase race but truly serve to colorism in the privileging of ideology, Brazil is becoming Small, the panelists agreed reshuffle race while keeping more color conscious. that the meaning behind racial whites on top. He posited that Lourdes Martínez- categories in Latin America is in the new racial order—no Echazábal presented a similar typically contextual; how- longer a biracial dichotomy of picture of racial fluidity by ever, those categories closer to white and black—South East examining the Cuban case. blackness are usually more de- Asians and Blacks--would be Analyzing a book of pro- meaning. Martínez-Echazábal contrasted against whites, and logues published in 1931 by said that in Cuba, there are honorary whites--consisting Cuban poet Nicolás Guillen, words to describe very specific of Latinos, East Asians and she argued that although most notions of race and hierar- multiracial people. He predicts interpretations present him as chy like “parejeo,” which is that phenotype will have in- a black-nationalist figure, his understood as a black person creasing significance and points success in Cuba stems from that doesn’t know their “place” out that the US racial strati- his mulatto identity and ideol- in society. Telles added that fication system is becoming ogy which reflects notions of terms like “moreno,” which is “Latin-Americanized.” “Racial Panel III Commentator the most ambiguous, yet most color in Cuba and the pos- categories are historio-political Waldo Martin (Jim Block) sibility of transcending race. used racial category in Brazil, constructions,” and as a result Martínez-Echazábal argued tends to obscure racial hierar- -continued on next page 13 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, —continued from page 13 desire to whiten in order to Colorism Conference Sociology, Rutgers University allow for the moral hierarchy, “Embodying Migration: Color both pre- and post colonial- and Class Among Filipina ism. The creation of national Return Migrants in the Philip- identity became articulated pines” through discursive spaces in Percy Hintzen, African Amer- which to be Caribbean meant ican Studies, UC Berkeley to be creolized, open and hy- “Color, Creolization and the bridized. Hintzen explained Carribbean” that color then indicates levels Commentator: David Palum- of racial mixing and national bo-Liu, Comparative Litera- identity which had very seri- ture, Stanford University ous implications on notions of Panel III: Eduardo Bonilla-Silva and Verna Keith (Jim Block) Presentations on the sexuality and gender as well Diasporic Communities Panel as race more generally. In light skin over dark skin among education is needed. Still, converged around the notion this, both white Creoles and African American women as questioned Keith, “How do we that color and hierarchy operate Afro-Creoles become the ves- related to status attainment, measure phenotype and how do within a global context where sels of racial purity at the two self-concept and self-esteem. we make race determinations? meaning is continually negoti- ends of the spectrum. Carib- This status, she said, is primar- Why are particular disparities ated and mediated through mi- bean nationalism, Hintzen ar- ily influenced by an ability to being recreated generation after gration. Anthropologist Aisha gued, should then be analyzed navigate outside of the black generation?” Khan spoke about the ambigu- within the greater contexts of community. Surveys reveal As a historian, Waldo Mar- ity and complexity of color in its conceptual origin which how colorism affects the quality tin offered a historic context Trinidad pre- and post indepen- lies in colonialism. Using the of life. Keith cited a report from for this panel, pointing to the dence, particularly given the examples of Guyana, Domi- 2000 that shows that dark- immigration act of 1965 as experience of people of East nica, and Trinidad, Hintzen skinned people are “11 times well as social movements that Indian descent, who she argued demonstrated the different more likely to report frequent impacted issues of racial iden- have been twice colonized. responses to the postcolonial instances of unfair treatment on tity. “If we look at the chang- Similarly, Percy Hintzen’s experience, that included the the basis of race.” Dark-skin is ing demographics of the black presentation sought to ana- rejection or challenging of historically undesirable as are population in the US today,” lyze the ways in which the the colonial racial order, and other features seen as tradition- he said, “we see black identity Caribbean, and particularly in other cases the inadvertent ally African. She argues that itself changing.” Trinidad, demonstrates how reinforcement of colonial attractiveness is shaped by a --Rachel Quinn European model of beauty, and nationalism works in post- racial orders. Further, these colonial situations to signal color hierarchies and identi- since slavery, light-skinned Panel IV Color Hierarchy in and re-center colonial power ties are highly shaped by the blacks have been better treated Diasporic Communities from Europe to the US. Color transnational nature of the Ca- within American society. Aisha Khan, Anthropology, politics then play out using the ribbean. Indo-Caribbeans, for Keith cited an analysis of data New York University same analytics of hegemony, example brought with them in the National Survey of Black “Caucasian,” “Coolie,” though fraught with ambigui- notions of caste, which al- Americans done in 1979-1980 “Black,” or “White?”: The ties and ambivalence. Hintzen lowed them to utilize colonial that showed a correlation Conundrum of Color in the explained that in Trinidad, this ideologies of racial hierarchy between skin color and social Indo-Caribbean Diaspora” status. It showed that lighter- manifested in the form of a in their favor. skinned women marry up in status more often, and that the lighter the skin, the greater the self-esteem. However, more re- cent studies show that amongst adolescent females it is dark- skinned African Americans who have greater self-esteem. Mar- garet Hunter’s recent work, said Keith, tells us that light-skinned young women often have to prove their blackness. Further research that would control for factors such as income and Panel IV: Percy Hintzen, Aisha Khan, Robyn Magalit Rodriguez and David Palumbo-Liu 14 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE

Robyn Magalit Rodriquez exist in Asia, but that it may said that the analytic of color- reflect the emergence of racial- ism is useful in understand- ization, which merits further ing immigration, especially analysis. The development of a in places where there isn’t color coded class hierarchy that a well articulated lexicon of privileges mixed race categories, race. Examining the modes of Rodriguez asserted, goes back to rationality of how the work of Spanish colonialism. Rodriguez Filipinas in the world market also spoke about the ways that shape notions of work and skin color serves as a proxy for gender, the anxieties of mid- status among returned migrants, Panel V: Maxine Craig and Philomenia Essed dle class women in the Philip- who are marked by the percep- pines around those issues, tion that they are not able to ac- and the investment in body climate to the “tropics.” Finally, Heading off an impressive impact of color by referenc- practices, Rodriguez showed she argued that new racialization panel, Kamala Kempadoo gave ing an incident that happened that notions of color are both and identity formations among a powerful presentation on during Miss Light Brown explicit and implicit in these Filipinos living in the US seem imbedded racial hierarchies in Frame. When a light skinned discourses. Using the ex- to be having some effect on the the global sex trade of the early winner was selected over the ample of service workers, she Philippines in a way that chal- 1990s. “Sex work is associated crowd favorite, the audience’s showed that Filipina women lenges the legacies of colonial with an economic imperative,” obviously displeasure led the are stereotyped as “care giv- racial hierarchies. noted Kempadoo. She went on judges to retract their deci- ers,” which essentializes them -- Tianna Paschel to say that one would expect sion. that racism as it is tied to Craig went on to another poverty would dictate that more example of colorism discuss- sex workers would be of color. ing the Miss Bronze pageant Yet it is the light-skinned wom- organized by Melba Davis. In en who are more desired while ’61 there was a dark brown black women are paid less for winner and then ’62-64’ their work. Light skin signifies light-skinned winners, but by sexual attractiveness, but “a 1965, the judges returned to tinge of color” implies wanton a dark brown winner, signal- sexuality so that brown women ing the rejection of European symbolize sexuality. The most beauty standards at that time. impoverished countries are Said Craig, “Beauty queens Panel V: Jyotsna Vaid and Kamala Kempadoo the ones most impacted by the stand for a nation, represent- migrant sexual labor force and ing citizenship and symbol- and other third world women global sex trade. Kempadoo izing black worth to whites.” as ideal and fitted to specific Panel V Skin Color, Beauty, tells us, in keeping with the She sees the pageants as types of work. These notions Sexuality and Desire privileging of white feminin- embodying Du Bois’ double are rampant throughout the Kamala Kempadoo, Social ity, the trafficking of women is consciousness in that they global economy including Sciences, York University, noticed far more when white are both a critique of racism other parts of Asia, where Toronto women are involved. Further, and an internalization of it as Filipinas migrate to work. “Sexual Labor and Color: Hier- she problematized the fact that the contests represent both a Rodriquez argued that the low archies in the Global Sex Trade” the cannon of critics of the sex rejection of and acceptance status assigned to Filipina mi- Maxine Craig, Sociology and worker system is all white, yet of the racial hierarchy. For grants has become the shame Social Services at CSU East they do not critique their own instance, one contestant of upper class Filipinas. She Bay position. used the black power fist in also argued that it is clear that “Colorism and Conflict in Maxine Craig (CSU East describing what it was like to skin color affects the ways in Beauty Pageants” Bay) researched race in pre- take the trophy away from a which notions of body and Jyotsna Vaid, Psychology, 1960 black beauty pageants highly qualified light-skinned work are constructed and Texas A&M University through newspaper articles as woman in 1965. reified. In Hong Kong for “Fair enough?: Color and well as extensive interviews Craig concluded that despite example, jobs in the public the Commodification of Self in with pageant winners and the pervasiveness of colorism spaces tend to have more fair Indian Matrimonials” contestants. Colorism as she the primary emphasis of the skinned employees, whereas Commentator: Philomenia Es- defined it is very much attached pageants was to train women private spaces are populated sed, Critical Race, Gender and to other signifiers such as hair to carry themselves in such a by darker skinned women. Leadership Studies, Antioch quality, gestures and ways She argued that colorism does University of moving. Craig shows the —continued on next page 15 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE the crowd. Eventually, a series in the elaboration of specific Colorism Conference—continued from page 15 of provocative slides demon- cultural ideals and differenti- strating the extremes women ated marketing to particular in all parts of Asia pursue to national/ethnic/racial/class lighten their skin appeared, but “consumer” groups; and Rondilla stole the show. understanding concerns and Rondilla asked, “Are we aspirations of women seeking moving towards a new kind of to lighten their skin, includ- beauty?” as a central question ing the meaning of skin color in her work. The Guam born and its relationship to their PhD candidate in Ethnic Stud- identity. ies explained that advertisers Charis Thompson pre- feel a more inclusive, multi- sented her fieldwork paper en- cultural beauty ideal broadens titled, “Hierarchies of Color in their earning potential. Yet Gamete and Embryo gift and Panel VI: Evelyn Nakano Glenn, Gina Dent and Charis Thompson Rondilla demonstrated that Market Economies.” She ex- way as to transcend their class Evelyn Nakano Glenn, mainstream acceptance is far plained how old ideas of race and their racial identity. While Ethnic Studies and Gender from a non-White beauty. occupy the present. Thomp- none of the pageant partici- and Women’s Studies, UC Glenn knew time dictated son worked with the director pants were involved in politi- Berkeley the day’s events. She had spent of a US egg donor clinic to cal movements, they were all “Yearning for Lightness: most of the conference signal- understand how the clinic integrationists. Global Circuits in the Produc- ing colleagues to wrap things allows recipients and donors Finally, Jyotsna Vaid (Texas tion and Marketing of Skin up. The convener of the con- to exercise choice. Two of A&M University) offered ex- Whiteners” ference, Glenn felt the pressure the case studies were very tensive examples of the perva- Charis Thompson, Rhetoric when it was her turn to present revealing. One case involved siveness of color consciousness and Gender and Women’s her paper entitled, “Yearning a Japanese couple coming to in India amid a growing market Studies, UC Berkeley for Lightness: Global Circuits the US to purchase an egg. for whitening creams, and the “Hierarchies of Color in in the Production and Mar- The wife wanted the child to attention given to both gender Gamete and Embryo Gift and keting of Skin Whiteners.” be light skinned, but not pale and skin tone at birth. She Market Economies” Twenty minutes into her talk or mixed because she did not questioned whether the color Commentator: Gina Dent, she said, “I don’t know if I can want to give the impression consciousness of Indian women Feminist Studies, UC Santa do this… . I’m slightly going that she had been raped by a is transformed throughout the Cruz over my time…ho, ho! There’s White man. She finally chose diaspora and whether or not this Like many other panelists nobody to stop me,” the audi- a “gorgeous” light-skinned do- desire for lightness changes. Rondilla had labored over ence burst into laughter. nor she thought was Japanese. A 1997 Canadian study shows pre-prepared slides to enhance From the EU to Africa and She learned the donor was lower self-esteem in Indian the presentation of her paper, back to the EU again Glenn Korean and refused the egg. women with darker skin, in- “Serious About Brightening discussed the health risks Another case demonstrated the cluding second-generation Their Skin: Skin Lightening inherent in the use of skin rare time the director denied Indian women. Vaid explained Advertisements in the Philip- lightening products. The the recipient couple’s choice. that in marriage arrangements pines and the US,” but technol- Director of the Center for Race A White German couple had color can be used to compen- ogy fumbled and the only and Gender Studies, Glenn recently converted to Bud- sate for some lack or used as a graduate student presenting mentioned how ingredients bargaining chip. She noted that at the conference used an old like mercury and hydroquinone even dating websites offer six fashioned tool to display her are illegal in the EU, but they shades of racial coloring for work, the sound of her voice. can be legally made and then selection. Rondilla smiled vivaciously, sold outside of the country. --Rachel Quinn and said, “A popular com- Often the products return to mercial for a skin lightening their starting point because Panel VI Lightening by any product in the Philippines merchandisers in places like Means: Cosmetic Chemical & features a light skin baby with Africa resell the products to Genetic Interventions darker skinned parents. The their black counter-parts in Joanne Rondilla, Ethnic Stud- camera zooms into the baby’s the EU. Glenn said it was ies, UC Berkeley crib where a bottle of the skin important to understand skin “‘Serious About Brightening lightener is tucked away, the lightening on three levels: the Their Skin’: Skin Lightening tag line translates ‘Nobody has global circuits of products, Advertisements in the Philip- to know.’” Gasps, and sarcas- capital, culture, and people; the Panel VI speaker Joanne Rondilla pines and the US” tic dips of laughter waved over entities and processes involved 16 HIERARCHIES OF COLOR CONFERENCE

as “the unsavory business of multiple levels in between and distinguishing between skin within racialized groups. Im- tones.” Jones found that in the ages of Beyonce on the covers few cases in which colorism of Vanity Fair and Glamour was even recognized, the magazines show her with a plaintiffs tended to lose. lighter skin tone than her picture Countering the anti-col- on Destiny’s latest album. Banks orism stance of the courts, challenged the audience by ask- Jones argued that there is ing why would Beyonce’s skin statutory basis for colorism color be lightened if the notion claims. Title VII of the Civil of colorism were not prevalent. Panel VII, The Law: (foreground to background) Tanya Hernandez, Rights Act of 1964 expressly Banks problematized the le- Richard Banks, Trina Jones and Taunya Lovell Banks (Jim Block) recognizes color, and readily gal emphasis on racial absolut- allows a textual reading that ism, underscoring her assertion dhism and requested a South legal and constitutional issues bolsters colorism suits. Jones with a quote from Michael Asian egg to produce a child raised by its social practice. concluded by pointing out the Omi, “members within a ra- that visibly signified their com- The first speaker was Trina need for the courts to move cially subordinated group may mitment to their conversion. Jones, who spoke in support away from narrow, traditional be differently racialized.” Banks Thompson said the director of the legal recognition of considerations in order to echoed Jones’ earlier senti- thought it unfair to make the color discrimination claims. develop a legal acknowledge- ments by pointing out that legal child endure the burden of She distinguished between ment of colorism. institutions facilitate colorism darker skin. Thompson said, intra-racial colorism—color- Taunya Lovell Banks practices by reinforcing domi- “You don’t need to go to the ism in which the discrimina- spoke on the continued legal nant social economic and social late eighteenth century to see tor and the person discrimi- resistance to colorism claims. norms. Bank’s central concerns systems of race classification, nated against are of the same She started off with a refer- were that colorism practices just scan from sperm bank to racial group--and interracial ence to the September 1993 reflect societal perception that egg donor clinic on the internet colorism which happens when issue of Time magazine. It may influence legal outcomes. and you will see every possible a person of one race makes featured an article entitled She also pointed out that color- system of ethnonational and ra- distinctions for someone from “The New Faces of America,” ism has economic consequences cial breakdown that any of these another race on the basis of and on the cover was a where there is legal regulation fathers of race science could skin color. Through colorism, computer generated image of in employment and housing, and have imagined.” skin color is not used as an a woman touted as the new that light-skin tone privilege, if The panel concluded with com- indicator of race, rather, there Eve, “created from a mix of verifiable as a constant, may be ments from Gina Dent. is social meaning afforded to races.” Time attributed the a factor when considering reme- --LyFranshaua L. Pipkins skin color itself that leads to differential treatment. Jones openness of racial hybridity dial approaches to institutional in America to the influx of racism in public spaces. Panel VII Colorism & the Law warned that if the law were immigrants, however Banks Tonya Hernandez’s talk, Trina Jones, Duke University to exclusively focus on racial noted that a troubling aspect School of Law categorization, the impact of of racialized hybridity was “The Final Frontier: Legal colorism would not emerge. that most Americans avoid Recognition of Color Discrimi- For instance, she said, an em- considering the manipula- nation Claims” ployer who hires only black tion of racial imagery and Taunya Lovell Banks, Uni- women who had light colored the meanings embedded in versity of Maryland School of skin might not be viewed as the imagery. Banks illus- Law engaging in impermissible trated her argument with the “Black and White Justice: The discrimination if investigated digitally darkened mugshot of Law’s Continued Resistance to under charges of racism rather than colorism. O.J. Simpson that appeared Colorism Claims” “Latinos at Work: Employ- Jones pointed out the com- in the June 27, 1994 issue Tanya Hernandez, Rutgers ment Discrimination and the mon objections courts have of Time. She saw the image Law School, Newark New Agents of Color Bias in in rejecting colorism claims as designed to drive home “Latinos at Work: Employ- the Workplace” began with a include: a lack of clarity over Simpon’s loss of “honorary ment Discrimination and the reference to Tonya Bank’s piece the statutory basis of colorism white” status and notions of New Agents of Color Bias in the on colorism which showed that claims, colorism’s inability to black male criminality. Banks Workplace” intra-racial colorism was more fit historical legal understand- saw the darkening as an ad- Commentator: Richard readily identified by judges ings of discrimination in the mission that there are degrees Banks, Stanford Law School when the plaintiffs were Latino of blackness in American The final panel of the day US, and a hesitancy to engage society and that race has focused on colorism and the in what one court described —continued on page 19 17 SYMPOSIUM Beauty and Power in Filipino/American Communities n February 18, 2006, O the CRG co-sponsored the “Beauty and Power in Filipino/American Communities” conference, where artists and scholars shared stories and emergent research on different aspects of beauty for Filipino/ Americans. Presenters included Noël Alumit (writer/ performance artist), Shirley J. Lim (History, SUNY-Stony Participants at the Beauty and Power in Filipino/American Communities Conference (Diana Halog) Brook), Dawn Mabalon (History, SFSU), Veronica focused on artistic and literary where young, usually White, with her presentation, “The Montes (writer), Elizabeth H. expression, kicking off with Mexican American, and Ideal Filipina: Filipina Pisares (Tulitos Press), Barbara a hilarious and interactive African American women Americans and Queen Jane Reyes (poet), Evelyn I. pageant reenactment by were paid to be temporary Contests, 1920’s-1950’s.” Rodriguez (Sociology, USF), Noël Alumit, where fellow dance partners by Filipino She argued that Filipinas were Joanne L. Rondilla (Ethnic presenter Shirley J. Lim was migrant laborers in the 1920s highly valued because of the Studies, UCB), Roland B. named “beauty queen” of the and 30s. The social box, sexual imbalance in Filipino Tolentino (Film Institute, conference. The reenactment however, entailed young communities and were strictly University of the Philippines- was an excerpt from his one- Filipina American women guarded and watched. Thus Diliman), and Jean Vengua man show, “Master of the instead, whose company for a arose a contradiction in which Gier (English, UCB). Spurred (Miss) Universe.” dance was auctioned off to the the beauty pageant became a by conversations within the Veronica Montes further highest bidder to raise money. site to cherish the Filipina but blogosphere, the conference captivated the audience with During the second part of also a site where the Filipina touched on a range of topics, a reading of her short story the conference, scholars image was commodified. from beauty pageants to debuts, “Beauty Queens,” which presented their research on the Evelyn I. Rodriguez’s work, from the Filipina body to detailed one teenaged girl’s issue of beauty in Filipina/o “‘Malakas at Maganda’: Imedific beauty. experience surrounding the American communities. In Debutante Splendor as Welcoming the crowd of fellow funeral of her grandmother her presentation, “‘Where Did an Instrumental Cultural scholars, educators, students, and encounter with her aunt’s You Get that Gorgeous Black Resistance and Empowerment and community members, White ex-Marine husband, Ballerina Dress?’: Filipino for Filipinos in America,” Gladys Nubla (English, UCB), who unabashedly flirts with American Postcolonialism discussed how debuts can a member of the Critical her and her cousin. and Modernity through be valuable cultural rituals Filipina/o Studies Working Barbara Jane Reyes continued Beauty,” Shirley J. Lim stated and sites of resistance. She Group, spoke of beauty as with a spellbinding reading that scholars have ignored also argued that these debuts “an ideology, a set of daily of several poems from her beauty pageants due to the offer the opportunity for practices, [and] a performance books, Gravities of Center rise of feminist ideology. intergenerational interaction of citizenship,” which dually and Poeta en San Francisco, Yet beauty pageants, she within the family as well as produce feelings of power and which illuminated complex argued, are an integral part of within the larger Filipino powerlessness. Although there Filipina and Filipina American Filipina/o American history American community. is no universal definition of identities resistant to and provide sites to study In “‘The Lovely Nowhere’: what is beautiful in Filipino/ Orientalist stereotypes. “idealized female citizenship.” What the Exclusion of American communities, she Rounding out the artistic/ Beauty pageants were used to Filipina/o Americans from US posed the question of why literary portion of the event, demonstrate the modernity of Racial Discourse Implies for Filipinos are so obsessed with Jean Vengua Gier recounted Filipina/o American society in Issues of Gender/Sexuality,” beauty pageants and noted that, her experience in the “Flip reaction against stereotypes of Elizabeth H. Pisares while the presenters might not gigs,” multigenerational and colonized “savages.” contended that Filipino have concrete answers, the multicultural dances in the Dawn Mabalon continued the Americans are chronically ideas could very well prompt Central Valley in the 1960s, discussion of beauty pageants, misrecognized even though future research. and the “social box,” a practice focusing on Stockton’s they comprise the second The first part of the conference similar to Filipino taxi dancing Filipino American community, largest Asian American

18 SYMPOSIUM community in the United States the general consensus on the from racial discrimination. ambiguity and harmony--so after Chinese Americans. She need for more research and The court opinion was signifi- despite the fact that the court suggested that Filipinos’ social for more conferences like this cant because it demonstrated recognized colorism as a cogni- invisibility was a result of how to occur. how a plaintiff’s skin tone and zable claim, the court used that Western imperialism, which has The conference was phenotype used in tandem with recognition to undermine the deeply marked the history of organized by the Critical genealogy act as racial markers. ability to mount a successful Filipinos, has become entangled Filipina/o Studies Working However, Hernandez saw that claim. Hernandez iterated that, in U.S. racial discourses. Group and co-sponsored by the case presented a confused “the court viewed color simply Joanne L. Rondilla then the Asian American Studies assessment of the Latino color- as a matter of chromatic differ- presented “Avoiding the ‘F’ Program, the Beatrice Bain ism experience. The plaintiff, ences rather than a conceptual- word(s): Filipinas and Fat,” Research Group on Gender, Felix, introduced the personnel ization informed by a taxon- arguing that a colonial typology the Center for Southeast Asia cards of other employees to omy of traits and situational of beauty where beauty and Studies, the Center for the demonstrate that only two em- deployment of colorism.” thinness are intimately related Study of Sexual Cultures, the ployees were as dark or darker In conclusion, Hernandez serves to control the Filipina Department of Ethnic Studies, than herself, and that there was pointed to the disturbing legal body. In a story about an online and the Department of Gender a prevailing bias against dark- trend that prevents the invoca- search, she said that the only and Women’s Studies. skinned employees in the office tion of colorism without the instances where “Filipina” in the allocation of promotions white versus colored dichoto- and “fat” occur are on mail- Trisha Tiamzon, in that only white employees my based on the “pure” para- order bride websites, i.e. “your Sociology and Poli Sci were given privileged posi- digm. She saw this pattern as Filipina bride will make you Diana Halog, Sociology tions. The court then disputed problematic for those exposed fat with her cooking.” Thus her claim of dark-skinned bias to similar color pathologies the stereotypical image of the by enumerating the employ- as the courts read bias only Filipina is that of a submissive Color Conference ees that she had presumably through stark comparisons, and delicate Filipina. —continued from page 17 misclassified as white, when rather than the subtler distinc- Finally, Visiting Fellow Roland in the court’s view, they were tions of Latinos who bring in B. Tolentino presented “On instead of African American. really some shade of brown. notions of African-ancestry to Imeldific Beauty,” discussing Hernandez noted that despite Hernandez saw the court play. how Imelda Marcos, as the the greater receptivity for acting as a sort of a judicial Richard Banks closed off First Lady of former Philippine Latino colorism claims, there “spectro-barometer.” The court the panel with a discussion president and dictator Ferdinand are still jurisprudence problems concluded, “ these observations pulling together the various Marcos, strove to epitomize with the assessment of such tend to contradict the place- points from the speakers with beauty through her sexualized claims. She found that Latino ment of a rigid line between a focus on the topic of intra- body and the urban landscape. plaintiffs were only successful white and non-white employees group discrimination. Imelda reinvigorated cultural in having their claims recog- of the workplace and reflect the Angela Harris, Professor spaces in the Philippines at all nized or seen as actionable fact that a substantial number at Boalt Hall, and John Lie, costs and represented in her when discrimination was at of Puerto Ricans have mixed Dean of International and Area clothing a mix of modernity the hands of a white, Anglo ancestry.” Ultimately, the court Studies, UC Berkeley, finished and tradition. Tolentino argued employee or supervisor. Un- in recognizing mixed ancestry off the conference in the Clos- that Imelda and Ferdinand derpinning her discussion was misperceived the actualization ing Plenary session, “Looking Marcos, in a dialogical relation, the notion that most judicial of colorism in Latino commu- Backwards, looking Forwards”. presented themselves as the understanding of race discrimi- nities. Harris identified emergent ultra-feminine and ultra- nation claims stems from the Hernandez referred to the themes of the discussion masculine symbols of the judicial exposure to civil rights growing literature that ex- related to the messages color nation. based on African American presses how Latino color bias carries and the way people talk During the lively Q&A, claims of discrimination in the is intimately connected with about color. She observed how audience members and workplace. color, phenotype, hair texture, shifting discourses about color panelists alike addressed, Hernandez noted that judges and socioeconomic class stand- tell us about the social spaces among other things, questions fail to understand the Latino ing—these factors inform who we construct and the boundar- of why the issues presented concept of “functional white- have a shade or not. The judge ies around those social spaces. were not normally included ness” and “functional black- in the Felix case failed to see In the final talk, Lie offered in the greater Asian American ness” that are foundational to the nuanced, attenuated and comparative reflections on studies discourse, and why color discrimination experienc- pervasive Latin American as- color hierarchies internation- there was little discussion of es. She talks about an early col- sessments of status. Hernandez ally and throughout history. transgendered or male Filipinos orism case, Felix vs Marquez viewed the judge as falling prey --J George in relation to beauty and (1980) that recognizes colorism to the romanticization of racial Conference Photos by CRG staff unless otherwise indicated. power—ultimately adding to as a claim separate and apart mixture--the indicator of racial

19 AFFILIATED FACULTY NEW WORKS CONT.

Affiliated Faculty New Works—continued from page 2 consistently find increased achievement. Our hope is To Eternity. Latino Stories of contemporary American levels of racial tolerance, yet to situate conversations on World War II is the first film literature. This article profound inequality persists. Black achievement in the to tell the stories of Latino compares the reception Although practitioners of law broader historical, political, servicemen who fought in of The Woman Warrior in and economics seldom interact and psychosocial contexts, every WWII theater from several parts of the world and with critical race scholars, contexts which are often North Africa to the Pacific. reflects upon canon formation each school of thought has not known or considered by and cultural pedagogy. At tackled the dilemma of school psychologists and Julian Chow, Social Welfare times there are “Asian seemingly intractable racial other educators. (with Kathy Osterling and connections” made overseas, disparities. By comparing Qingwen Xu), “The risk of e.g., connections through these two approaches, scholars (2) (with L.M. Conyers, timing out: Welfare-to-work culture or language, but often can gain some interesting E. Mpofu, B.J. Vandiver) services to Asian immigrants it is institutional mediation insights into the elusive nature “Multi-group Ethnic Identity and refugees,” AAPI Nexus: through the American nation- of discrimination and the Measure (MEIM) scores Asian Americans and Pacific state that makes possible the future of race in America. in a sample of adolescents Islanders, Policy Practice and study of this “minority” text. from Zimbabwe,” Identity: Community, v. 3 n.2, 2005, (2) “The Uncertain Legacy of An International Journal of 85-104. Margaret Weir, Sociology Lau v. Nichols,” Berkeley La Theory and Research, v.6, Using a qualitative study and Political Science Raza Law Journal, v. 16 n. 2006, 35-59. approach, by conducting “States, Race, and the Decline 1, 2005. This study examined the three focus groups with of New Deal Liberalism,” Although there was structural validity of scores Asian welfare recipients in Studies in American Political widespread celebration of the on the 20-item Multi-group the San Francisco Bay Area, Development, v. 19 n.2, fiftieth anniversary of Brown Ethnic Identity Measure the findings of this study October 2005, 157-72. v. Board of Education, there (MEIM) in a group of 196 indicate that existing welfare- New Deal scholarship was relatively little recognition students attending secondary to-work programs do not tends to focus on national of the thirtieth anniversary school in Zimbabwe. The meet the unique needs of this politics with little attention of Lau v. Nichols. The Lau authors suggested that the population. Instead, findings to the role of the states in decision pushed beyond Other Group Orientation suggest that welfare-to-work determining the trajectory of a paradigm of intentional factor may be less viable program strategies for this liberalism. Taking federalism harm to attack exclusionary in majority groups, that the population should incorporate seriously requires viewing practices, whether or not Ethnic Identity items may culturally competent support the United States as a layered motivated by a discriminatory best be explained by a single services, human capital polity in which federal purpose. Today, this approach factor, and that the MEIM development, and strength- initiatives were overlaid on is under increasing attack, and would benefit from more based approaches. As more states that operated with the pressing question is how scale development work. Asian immigrant families different administrative and if Lau will survive the lose cash assistance as a capacities and distinct undoing of its opinion. Mario Barrera, Ethnic result of reaching the five- political logics. Among Studies year time limit, the need to the consequences of state Frank C. Worrell, Education Latino Stories of World War improve welfare-to-work administrative weakness and (1) “Cultural variation within II, 2006. programs and policies for elite-dominated politics were American families of African This documentary this population has become metropolitan development descent,” in C. Frisby & film details the story of increasingly urgent. patterns that exacerbated C. Reynolds (Eds.), The the estimated 250,000 to the racially linked “urban Comprehensive Handbook 500,000 Latinos that served Sau-ling C. Wong, Asian- crises” of the 1960s. The of Multicultural School in World War II. Until American Studies states also provided protected Psychology, Wiley Press, now, their stories have “Maxine Hong Kingston venues, congenial political 2005, 137-172. been virtually absent from in a Global Frame: Reception, mechanisms, and powerful This chapter highlights history books. Included are Institutional Mediation, and ideological handles for the tremendous diversity in the stories of Evelio Grillo, ‘World Literature,’” AALA the enemies of activist the populations of African a Cuban American who Journal, v. 11, December government. descent living in the United served in a segregated unit 2005, 1-35. States across a variety of with black soldiers and Guy Since its publication indicators. Our research may Gabaldon, whose exploits in 1976, Maxine Hong Michael Barnes have potential implications became immortalized (and Kingston’s The Woman PhD Student, Sociology for education and school whitewashed) in the filmHell Warrior has been canonized as an integral part of 20 DIRECTOR’S WORDS & DEC FORUM CONT.

Modern US Slavery—continued from cover page December Forum—continued from page 5 islands, with a population of Gregoire, of the US Depart- intoxication of it filled my mind. lowing the insurgency.” Dar about 45,000, the largest of ment of the Interior, noted, Like some supremely beautiful informed us that these deaths which is Saipan. Although a “With 11,000 Chinese workers woman whose beauty is almost occurred predominantly at the “commonwealth” in name, the here, I have never seen a Chi- impersonal and above desire, hands of the Indian Border CNMI is in every way a colony nese garment factory worker such was Kashmir in all its femi- Security Forces (BSF), their of the United States, and the have a baby in my entire nine beauty of river and valley collaborators and Kashmiri economy is totally dependent four years on Saipan.” More and lake and graceful trees--It and Pakistan-sponsored on Washington. The “com- recently, a sex tourism industry was like the face of the beloved militants. Dar saw the grow- monwealth” status means has developed that also relies that one sees in a dream, and ing Kashmiri youth militancy that products manufactured in on Asian women to be held in that fades away on awakening.” as an anguished, desperate the CNMI can be labeled as virtual bondage. Dar noted that Nehru describes response to the violence “Made in the USA” and can The CNMI is extremely the valley using sensual, almost suffered upon the Kashmiri enter the US tariff and import- remote, which of course erotic imagery, while saying people. She unveiled the ra- requirement free. Many major made it a perfect location nothing about the people who tionale behind the “irrational- US brands, including Ralph for the establishment of very inhabit the Kashmir valley. Dar ity” of the freedom-fighters Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, low cost “Made in the USA” noted a striking parallel between also known as the “terrorists.” have garments manufactured manufacturing industries us- Nehru’s impressions and the Dar noted other films that in Saipan. However, working ing Asian women as virtual representations of the Kashmir display one-sided portraits of conditions in CMNI factories slaves. However, in the mid people on the celluloid screen the Kashmiri people. In 1992 are not subject to any wage, 1990s the medieval working produced by Bollywood in the Mani Rathnam made the film safety, or environmental conditions of women work- early era following indepen- Roja. It was billed as a “patri- protections. In fact, the CNMI ers started to come to light in is specifically exempted from the US press, at which point US immigration, customs, and the owners of textile factories, labor laws because of actions and their allies in the CNMI taken by the United States “government,” decided they Congress. needed political representation Approximately 11,000 Chi- in Washington, DC to head off nese and other Asian women, any adverse legislation. Thus working on the kinds of “labor started a series of big money contracts” that were exposed contracts given to super-lob- in the 19th century as virtual byist Jack Abramoff and his slavery, are housed in labor associates. It is now known dence up until the commence- otic love story,” and showed camps surrounded by barbed that Mr. Abramoff was a major ment of the 1989 insurgency. Kashmiri people as religion- wire. They are trucked to financial supporter of President The Kashmir valley formed obsessed, bellicose, and pro- factories to toil for 10-12 hours Bush (a “Bush Pioneer”) and a frequent backdrop of many foundly unreasonable. In the and are then trucked back to was closely allied with House popular songs in Hindi films, but year 2000 came Vidhu Vinod their barracks. According to of Representatives Majority Dar found that in this “dream- Chopra’s Mission Kashmir, Brian Ross, Chief Investiga- Leader, Tom DeLay. Regret- like land of desires” the people which scapegoats the Kash- tive Reporter for ABC News, tably, a number of prominent are conspicuous because of their mir police. Dar saw the film “many Chinese are forced to California congressmen were absence. “Kashmir gains its as dismissive of the desire to sign secret agreements, known part of Tom DeLay’s leader- people post-insurgency, and only demand a process of peace, as shadow contracts, before ship team, and helped him pass as a problem,” she observed. reconciliation and due justice they leave China, severely and legislation. Also regrettably, Other stereotypes commonly necessary for initiating a in some ways illegally, restrict- Mr. Abramoff’s influence applied to Kashmiri discussed process of healing. She asked, ing their activities on American succeeded in torpedoing any by Dar were that they were too “Will Kashmiri youth keep soil. For example, workers are congressional legislation that gentle, placid, cowardly, timid, on being labeled as ‘terrorist’ forbidden to participate in any might have protected the unfor- and generally not made of “dem- until they buckle down and religious or political activity or tunate women slaving away in ocratic material.” “This portrait accept a subordinate and filial to ask for a salary increase or the CNMI. is at odds with the history of a position vis-à-vis the centre, even to fall in love or get mar- Is there a lesson for us in group of people who, because of oppressive or otherwise?” Dar ried….” Moreover manage- all this? The dire situation of non-violent demonstrations and closed her presentation with ment coerces women who get Asian women sweatshop work- protests against rigged elections, fitting words from the Kash- pregnant to have abortions in ers in the CNMI has been pub- were fired upon on multiple oc- miri poet Agha Shahid Ali. order to keep their jobs. Eric casions and suffered more than Johnny George —continued on back cover 160,000 deaths in the years fol- PhD Student, Linguistics 21 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT & CO-SPONSORED EVENTS CONT. Nelson-Race for Roots—cont. from page 7 Sandra Smith—continued from page 8 identity construction, 21st ously enough to the sinister mation job seekers need to long term. She wishes to see century-style, that Nelson underbelly of developments build necessary connections; how such factors determine portrayed. The first, simply in Black subject formation. these institutions also deploy whether displaced victims stay put, was what Africans in That is, the very same tech- a dialectic of distrust and treat or go home and what level of Africa thought about this nology that allows Nelson’s potential candidates as people livelihood they can rebuild. burgeoning industry that sample of almost exclusively who are not trustworthy. “Race relations, structure of relied on their bodily tissues Black middle class women Smith sees three strands economy, opportunity, level of as raw material. Here, Nelson to pursue their deep calling for her future work. A con- participation by institutions, and articulated the ways that class or retirement hobby as ‘kin tinuation of her current study a whole host of factors con- and political geography shape keepers’, piecing together a would further explore the role tribute to the victims chance to a very asymmetrical process violently hacked family tree, that community institutions improve their condition.” whereby the DNA of Africans also allows ‘pen keepers’ play in helping to create inter- A third project would send are collected and stored for to determine whether a hair personal dynamics between Smith to Johannesburg, South the consumption of middle follicle left at the scene of a residents that can be charac- Africa to do an examination on class Black people in Europe crime belongs to a black or terized as trusting or distrust- interracial relations that exist and the US, who are attempt- a white person. While the ing. She finds that institutions between the native population ing to assemble something weak predictability of ‘eth- fail to provide necessary sup- and a growing population of like a double-helixian bridge nic estimation’ using DNA ports such as transportation, American blacks who are start- back across the Middle in one context may result or childcare--supports which ing to make South Africa their Passage. From second hand in a confused or unsatisfied allow more access to the home. Smith has a close friend sources, she commented that consumer of genetic tracing labor market in a meaningful whose sister is a retired NY City it seems some Africans are services, the false certainty way. Institutions also need to cop who fell in love with South actually willing to offer their characterizing forensics employ discourses that don’t Africa on a trip and suddenly tissues for what they see as work holds potentially belittle or patronize prospec- picked up an moved there. With worthy spatial and temporal lethal effects for the young tive employees. Currently her retirement pay she bought re-construction. But coercion Black men whose DNA are those who have the fewest two homes and has a variety is not absent, as she explains, also being collected and resources cannot take part in of amenities such as a maid since these new world Black ‘matched’. Somewhat over- the labor market. “I want to service. She is part of a rapidly biobanks often obtain stock laid with postmodern excite- observe black communities in growing population of Ameri- ment about what new and Oakland to examine the roles can blacks in the region. Smith interesting fusions are filling within those communities to notes that one can construct a what old and tragic fissures, the extent of interlinkages, narrative about “coming home” the sedimented class and individual connections, and to an area that is black power gendered differences among institutional connections.” oriented; however, this story is African Americans were not She sees the institutional problematized by the fact that in full view during the talk. influence as having an impact the people who move there Creeping in from the rear, on the feelings of trustworthi- have a significant amount of as Troy Duster would warn, ness and cooperativeness. An capital and are from an entirely these sinister possibilities extension of this work would different culture. This romantic are closer than they appear. include investigation of La- return home evokes issues of In all, however, Nelson’s tino communities on the rise class, ethnicity, and national-

Evelyn Nakano Glenn Evelyn presentation was incredibly such as Fruitvale. ism for Smith. Interactions illuminating and a much Another potential project with the local population put by offering basic health welcomed contribution to would involve an examina- black Americans in positions of services in African towns, at the conversation about the tion of the dispersed Katrina authority and status, so Smith which time they collect DNA significance of genomics sci- victims. Smith sees the senses that there would be some samples from clinic patients. ence in peoples’ fashioning outcome as a sort of natural level of social conflict driven by The second question raises of selves and communities. social experiment that raises the dynamic of modern hegemo- an equally ominous issue of questions of re-incorporation ny. “It gets me out of the urban whether geneticists and con- or incorporation into new poverty discussion and gives sumers of these technologies environments. Factors for me a chance to know a land I’ve are aware of its use in foren- Ruha Benjamin incorporation include local never been to. Now I feel very sics to criminalize people by PhD Student, Sociology economy strength, and level provincial with a good grasp of race. Here, I didn’t think Nel- of government or charitable the American context, but don’t son’s response attended seri- assistance in the short and —continued on back cover 22 SPRING 2006 ANNOUNCEMENTS New Working Group: Gender and CRG Fall 2006 Undergraduate Grants Competition The Center for Race and Gender (CRG) at the University of California Visual Culture--Call for participants Berkeley, announces the availability of grants of $200 to $1,000 to This working group will to make sense of the long, fund undergraduates for research or creative projects that address explore how race and entangled and inextricable issues of race and gender. gender are produced relationships among race, ELIGIBILITY: Applications can be submitted by any Berkeley through visual culture. gender and visuality. undergraduate not matriculating at the end of the semester. Applications are particularly sought from students majoring in areas The specific technology If you are interested where race and gender issues have not previously been of major of photography will serve in joining or would concern, such as Public Health, Education, Economics, Business, as a springboard for like more information, Journalism, Political Science, and Environmental Science, as well as areas where they have been more central. conversations. We are also please contact Leigh concerned with how race Raiford (lraiford@berkeley. or ethnographic research sites; supplies and services, and rental of representational practices edu) or Elizabeth Abel equipment. Funds may not be used for purchase of equipment and are including painting and (eabel@berkeley. APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, submit two copies of the advertising, and new digital edu). following, single-sided with no staples: technologies. Our aim is • Student and Faculty Mentor Information Form (available online) • 1-2 page project description • Timeline for project completion Afternoon Forum Series: Call for Submissions • Budget proposal The Center for Race and Please submit an abstract of • Letter of support from a faculty mentor Gender invites presentation 300 words to rng2@berkeley. To: Undergraduate Grants Program, Center for Race and Gender, 642 proposals from graduate students edu. Questions about the Barrows Hall, MC 1074, Berkeley, CA 94720-1074 for its Afternoon Forum Series. forum series may be directed to Research dealing with issues [email protected] or (510) 643- APPLICATION DEADLINE: The Fall 2006 application deadline will of race and gender from any 8488. be Monday, October 16th at 3 p.m. Awards will be announced within a discipline is welcome. few weeks of the deadline. Direct inquires to [email protected]. Make a Donation to the Center for Race and Gender to support Undergraduate Research

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23 Words from the Director Sandra Smith —continued from page 21 —continued from page 22 lic knowledge now for several know what is going on in the years, and yet virtually nothing rest of the world. I want to see has changed in their lives. The how the world works from power centers that link official another perspective.” Washington, DC government Smith finds her current policy with huge multinational work at Berkeley very re- corporations have managed warding. “I love it here. It just to avoid any interference with feels like a dream job. I have Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, Percy Hintzen & Verna Keith speak at the nefarious and vicious labor an amazing amount of respect the CRG Colorism conference (pp 12-17) (Jim Block) policies. Tom DeLay is under for the intellect of the col- indictment, but others have leagues that I share this space Three New Volumes —continued from page 9 stepped forward to take his with. Although she finds the place. Berkeley academic experi- in transdisciplinarity and to The presentation was a Frankly, this is a discourag- ence fulfilling, she sometimes shift the geography of reason stimulating glimpse into the ing picture. We see that ex- finds the need to escape to cultivate transmodern cutting-edge of race theory posure of evil is not enough if through her hobby, garden- approaches to knowledge. and will surely attract many political and economic power ing. “There is no time that I Most importantly, these readers to these volumes. are so embedded that those feel the type of contentment projects contribute to a holding power can thumb their that I do when I’m gardening. process Maldonado-Torres Iyko Day noses at public exposure. It There you forget everything referred to as “epistemic PhD Cand., Ethnic appears the work of the CRG is else that is going on in your decolonization” by entering Studies just beginning. life and the world; there is into a philosophical this peace that takes over.” collaboration that does not Evelyn Nakano Glenn J George rely on the recognition of a Director, CRG Interview by M Barnes European canon.

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