Last Tuesday (24), Djamila Ribeiro kicked off a series of launch events for ‘Where We Stand’ (Yale University Press), the English edition of ‘Lugar de Fala’.
And what a start!
The Brazilian philosopher gave a public lecture at New York University, alongside Ibram X. Kendi, a renowned professor at Boston University and a best-selling author in the USA. Djamila herself stated that Kendi was one of the sources of inspiration for her book ‘Pequeno Manual Antirracista’.
On her Instagram profile, the Brazilian philosopher discussed the event, which took place at the Cantor Film Center.
“It was a very special night for the Andrés Bello Chair, a position I am delighted to hold this semester at New York University. I had the honor of being joined by Ibram X. Kendi for a public lecture on approaches to antiracism in Brazil and the United States. There was an incredible flow of energy and a rich exchange of knowledge at NYU’s Cantor Film Center. I am immensely grateful to everyone who attended, and to the KJCC and CLACS at NYU, departments linked to the Andrés Bello Chair, represented by professors Dylon Robbins and Jordana Meldenson, for the warm welcome, partnership, and promotion of this event,” she wrote.
Djamila emphasized the importance of strengthening dialogue between writers from the Global North and South.
“I believe that Tuesday’s public lecture was an antiracist action in itself, especially when writers from the Global South and North establish a reciprocal relationship. I am deeply grateful for having met him and for the bridges built,” she celebrated.
The philosopher also made it a point to highlight the significance of Ibram X. Kendi’s work to the antiracist struggle.
“I want to extend a special thanks to Ibram X. Kendi for the powerful exchange, with words of strength, grace, and regeneration. Ibram has topped the NY Times best-seller list with five different books on antiracism and became the youngest person in history to receive the National Book Awards. Inspired by his 2019 work, ‘How to Be an Antiracist’, I wrote ‘Pequeno Manual Antirracista’ the same year. We concluded the event with the feeling that the path is long but full of possibilities. Each meeting like this reminds us that the antiracist struggle is a collective commitment, strengthened by the exchange of ideas, experiences, and mutual support.”
This Thursday (26), ‘Where We Stand’ will be launched at Yale University in a public discussion moderated by faculty members of the institution.
“For now, I thank the ancestors, the strength that guides and sustains me. May Oxóssi continue to clear the paths, and may we always move forward with wisdom and courage,” Djamila concluded.
Photos: Ezequiel Zaidenwerg-Dib (@zaidenwerg)