Ongoing Struggles. Anti-Discrimination Work during the Rise of the Far Right.

A joint event held by the Academy Programs of the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Forum Berlin, and the Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ)

Equal participation and fair access to social resources for marginalized groups are political goals that are being radically challenged by right-wing populist forces. In their place, these forces are fighting for established privileges that aim to entrench systemic inequality and reinforce existing institutional racism. This conference will discuss German and international developments and possible counter-strategies: What are the most urgent measures that need to be taken today to combat structural discrimination and inequality? What special challenges are confronting politicians, on the one hand, and civil society actors, on the other? What ideas can be gleaned from the experiences not only in countries such as the United States after Donald Trump’s election, but also in movements such as those fighting for equal rights for LGBTQI* people?

The conference will begin at the Jewish Museum Berlin on June 7 with a keynote address on the historical-ideological conditions surrounding the resurgence of the political right in the United States and on the US civil rights movement Black Lives Matter. The address will be followed by a panel discussion on the current challenges confronting effective anti-discrimination work. On the next day of the conference, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung will host workshops and panel discussions that aim to provide a forum for people involved in relevant projects and give them the opportunity both to reflect on anti-discrimination work at a civil-society and political level and to develop joint strategies.

Keynote: Imani Perry “What Lies Underneath: Difficult Histories and the Resurgence of The Far Right”

In her keynote speech, Professor Imani Perry (Princeton University) will examine how ideologies that developed in the age of empire are central to the resurgence of the far right in the USA. Perry also presents the US-American Black Lives Matter movement and its struggles for equal rights and against racism. Afterwards, she will discuss the contours of an effective equality policy with Juliane Seifert (State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth), Dr. Emilia Roig (Center for Intersectional Justice, Berlin), and Dr. Aleksandra Lewicki (University of Sussex). Moderation: Christine Watty.