Panel F.10 — Transformative Activism: Combating Racist and Sexist Stereotypes in Multicultural Contexts Through Second-Generation Practices, Policies, and Civic Engagement
Convenors Tiziana Chiappelli (University of Florence, Italy); Erika Bernacchi (University of Florence, Italy)
Keywords Second generation migrant; Social and cultural activism/engagement; Multicultural contexts; Intersectionality; Gender and post colonial studies
The panel will analyze paths and experiences of active citizenship aimed at combating racist and sexist stereotypes in education and society carried out in particular by young migrants’ descendants with attention to the female component.
On one hand, societal and cultural processes often label migrants’ descendants as ‘others,’ a perspective deeply rooted in post-colonial logic. However, a growing number of young individuals with migratory backgrounds are stepping into leadership roles. They are not only actively challenging the stereotypes they encounter but also engaging in a profound reexamination of the cultural constructs that shape democracy, notions of belonging, and cultural identity within European societies.
In particular, the panel welcomes analyses of different typologies of activism undertake by female migrants’ descendants such as the challenging of stereotypes about Muslim women through the promotion of diverse gender models and the affirmation of a Black European feminism.
A significant focus of the panel is the exploration of emerging forms of social and cultural activism, which are increasingly becoming powerful tools for civic engagement. These new forms of activism are particularly evident in the use of social media and various expressive mediums that strongly resonate with younger populations, such as graphic novels, comics, performing arts, murals, street art, music, songs, stories, and other literary expressions. Contributions dedicated to the analysis of the onlife dimension, where the intersection of online and offline experiences can greatly influence the effectiveness of the forms of activism, are considered particularly relevant.
Moreover, the panel aims to document the evolution of the debate on girls’ and women’s rights within multicultural contexts. This documentation will highlight the rise of a feminist post-colonial approach.
Ultimately, the panel strives to promote the adoption of intersectional, post-colonial, and gender studies approaches regarding second generation processes of inclusion in European societies.