Art Against the Grain presents Decolonise Not Diversify: a one-day festival to unpack and challenge dominant narratives.

‘The concept of diversity only exists if there is an assumed neutral point from which ‘others’ are ‘diverse.’ Putting aside for now the straight, male, middle-classness of that ‘neutral’ space, its dominant aspect is whiteness. Constructed by a white establishment, the idea of ‘diversity’ is neo-liberal speak. It is the new corporatized version of multiculturalism… We don’t talk about racism, just ‘lack of diversity.’ – Kavita Bahnot

Curated by a collective of artists, thinkers and doers, the day will explore decoloniality through visual art, performance, literature, media, academia, politics, entrepreneurship, & more, provoking shared learning through open conversations.

Decolonise Not Diversify will bring together thought-leaders from across the country to feed into the dialogue around #DecoloniseBrum, addressing issues surrounding race and gender head on. The day will host a series of microlectures, conversations, workshops, a DIY art exhibition and marketplace.

Talks:

‘Diversity as a Dead-End: Reading White Supremacy’ by Kavita Bhanot
‘An Introduction to Islamic Decoloniality’ by Syed Mustafa Ali
‘Decolonising Heath & Wellbeing’ by Chakabars
‘History of Trauma: The Connection between Colonisation & Depression’ by Demi Nandhra, Contemporary Other
‘PREVENT & Islamophobia’ by Afronze Ziadi, University of Birmingham
‘The Importance of Black Studies’ by Kehinde Andrews, BCU Black Studies Course

Workshops:

‘Brown Girls Mean Business’ with mOmhead
‘Exploring the Importance of Black Art’ with Black British Girlhood
‘Anti-Blackness in Asian Communities’ with Latifah Stone,Juice Aleem, Sacha Xassan & Wasif Sayyed
‘Unconscious Bias’ with Joy Warmington, BRAP
‘Make Your Own Bathbomb’ with Sad Girls Club
Zine-Making with OOMK
UNMUTED

Panel Discussions:

‘Decolonising Museums & Established Arts Institutions’ with Sara Amanda of Exhibit B: Ban the Human Zoo & Charlotte Holmes, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
‘Decolonising The Arts’ with OOMK & Black British Girlhood
‘Decolonising Publishing & Literature’ with Anthony Anaxagorou
Microlectures:

‘Black Hyper-Masculinity, its Interiority and the Importance for Black Leadership and Black Activism’ by Ornette Clennon
‘An Exploration of the Roadman Experience using the Classical Form of Katabasis’ by Caleb Femi

Marketplace:

Stop Killing the Mandem
Dark Circle
Suhaav
SKByDesign
mOmhead
Byng Inc.
and more TBC

Plus:

DIY Open Exhibition
Food Vendors

with further details to be announced.
Read more from Kavita’s paper Decolonise, not Diversifyon Media Diversified.

If anything is preventing you from attending this event, please complete the form at the bottom of the Impact Hub Birmingham event page to apply for a free scholarship ticket.