“On Coloniality and Colonialism: postcolonial and decolonial studies in dialogue”

This panel is inspired by ongoing discussions regarding the continued relevancy of postcolonial studies before the greater push towards epistemic diversity. In attempting to broaden the scope of postcolonial studies, this panel solicits propositions that look at the many ways in which the postcolonial imaginary can be reinterpreted and applied to the larger question of coloniality from 1492 to the present day. Central questions include:

• What is the legacy of postcolonial studies?
• What is meant by “decolonizing” postcolonial studies?
• What can postcolonial studies bring to decolonial studies?
• What can decolonial studies bring to postcolonial studies?

Please submit a 300-word abstract, short biography and AV requests to Eric Wistrom at wistrom@wisc.edu by May 1, 2021.This session is a special session of the 2021 MMLA Convention “Cultures of Collectivity”, currently scheduled to take place November 4-7, 2021 in Milwaukee, WI. While the current plan is for the convention to take place in-person, this is subject to change depending on how the pandemic continues to unfold.