Intelligence Squared Reflections on Black Consciousness: Lewis Gordon and Paul Gilroy in conversation
Mar 26, 2022
In this insightful discussion, philosopher Lewis Gordon, head of the Philosophy Department at the University of Connecticut, teams up with Paul Gilroy, a leading theorist of race and founder of UCL's Sarah Parker Remond Centre. They explore the multifaceted nature of black consciousness and identity, emphasizing the intersection of culture, philosophy, and activism. Key topics include the irony in power dynamics, the cultural significance of black music, and the impact of films like 'Black Panther' on societal narratives. Their conversation urges a deeper reflection on the complexities of black identity and the need for radical democracy.
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Theory, Philosophy, and Reality
- We often discuss theories and philosophies in abstract ways, losing sight of their connection to human reality.
- Embrace intellectual thought and political activism in the pursuit of racial justice.
bell hooks and Radical Love
- Paul Gilroy mentions bell hooks and her influence on their understanding of ideas, politics, life, joy, and love.
- Gordon and Gilroy acknowledge hooks' profound commentary and her emphasis on love as a revolutionary force.
Bad Faith and Political Commodification
- Bad faith is a flight from displeasing truths into pleasing falsehoods, often driven by a desire for ease and predictability.
- It involves commodifying politics, reducing it to moralism, and eliding the complexities of building a better world.