GSE Events

23rd Annual Constance E. Clayton Lecture Series

Add to Calendar Icon 2021-10-28 16:30 2021-10-28 19:00 15 Penn GSE Event: 23rd Annual Constance E. Clayton Lecture Series 23rd Annual Constance E. Clayton Lecture Series, Untethered: Black Futures in the Metaverse There are Black People in the Future. The absence of Blackness in both fantastical and practical imaginings of the future are countered by proclamations that Black people will not only exist in the future but will and are actively shaping the future. Global tech giants have rejuvenated the concept of the “metaverse” and are staking claims in a virtual ecosystem where physical, virtual, and augmented realities converge. While the realities of a metaverse are currently more speculative than practical, discussions of this space amount to a “raceless promise land” that will inevitably replicate and exacerbate existing social inequalities. In this talk, Dr. Cogburn asks if the metaverse and other emerging technologies will be a catalyst for radical, social transformation or an automated, unimaginative, white washed offering of Society 2.0? She will also explore the use of Afrofuturism as a framework for untethering speculative Blackness from whiteness and social inequalities. She does this to reimagine the possibilities of freedom in the active practice of designing and living Black futures.
Inn at Penn *St. Marks/Regents rooms at 3600 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Rhonda Williams DD/MM/YYYY
Thursday, October 28, 2021 - 4:30pm to 7:00pm
ET
Inn at Penn *St. Marks/Regents rooms at 3600 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Constance Clayton Lecture Flyer

Dr. Howard Stevenson and the Racial Empowerment Collaborative would like to formally invite you all to this year’s 23rdAnnual Constance E. Clayton Lecture Series and asks that you please hold the date!

Please see details below. 

You may e-mail gse.recast@gse.upenn.edu with any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you!

What: 23rd Annual Constance E. Clayton Lecture Series, Untethered: Black Futures in the Metaverse

There are Black People in the Future. The absence of Blackness in both fantastical and practical imaginings of the future are countered by proclamations that Black people will not only exist in the future but will and are actively shaping the future. Global tech giants have rejuvenated the concept of the “metaverse” and are staking claims in a virtual ecosystem where physical, virtual, and augmented realities converge. While the realities of a metaverse are currently more speculative than practical, discussions of this space amount to a “raceless promise land” that will inevitably replicate and exacerbate existing social inequalities. In this talk, Dr. Cogburn asks if the metaverse and other emerging technologies will be a catalyst for radical, social transformation or an automated, unimaginative, white washed offering of Society 2.0? She will also explore the use of Afrofuturism as a framework for untethering speculative Blackness from whiteness and social inequalities. She does this to reimagine the possibilities of freedom in the active practice of designing and living Black futures.  

When: 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

4:30 p.m. ET– 7:00 p.m. ET

Where:

The Inn at Penn * St. Marks / Regent Rooms at 3600 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104  

This lecture is free to the public and young people are especially invited to attend and ask questions. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions everyone entering the hotel and venue are required to wear a masks**

RSVP is not required.


Event Contact

Rhonda Williams
rhondawi@upenn.edu