New Books in Sociology Chelsi West Ohueri, "Encountering Race in Albania: An Ethnography of the Communist Afterlife" (Cornell UP, 2025)
Sep 11, 2025
Chelsi West Ohueri, Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, dives into her groundbreaking work on race in Albania. She explores how historical contexts shape racial identities and perceptions, particularly in a post-communist landscape. The discussion covers the complexities of hospitality and its role in identity performance. Ohueri sheds light on the marginalization of the Roma and Egyptian communities, illustrating the ongoing relevance of racial dynamics in today’s Albania, all while challenging the Western-centric views of race.
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Fieldwork Pivoted By Courtyard Hospitality
- Chelsi West Ohueri first went to Albania on an archaeology project and kept getting invited into villagers' courtyards instead of doing surveys.
- Those early, repeated hospitality encounters pushed her toward cultural anthropology and long-term fieldwork.
Race Is Global But Locally Made
- West Ohueri realized Albanians often claim 'no race' yet use racial language and behaviors in everyday life.
- She argues race is globally formed but locally situated, producing distinct Albanian racial logics.
Post-Racial Claims Mask Racial Orders
- European histories like WWII and communist rhetoric shape modern claims of 'post-racial' identity in Europe.
- Public anti-racist narratives often mask persistent racial hierarchies and exclusions.
