New Books in Critical Theory Dan-el Padilla Peralta, "Classicism and Other Phobias" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Jul 31, 2025
Dan-el Padilla Peralta, a professor of classics at Princeton University, delves into the complex relationship between classicism and Black life. He critiques how traditional classical studies overlook Black cultural expressions, advocating for a redefined classicism rooted in insurgence and emancipation. The discussion spans the impact of colonialism on classical narratives and highlights the work of W.E.B. Du Bois. Padilla Peralta also emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to revitalize classical scholarship and address contemporary academic challenges.
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Early Encounter Inspires Classics Career
- Dan-el Padilla Peralta encountered classics through a book in NYC shelters as a child, sparking his lifelong engagement.
- His background as an undocumented Dominican shaped critical questions about ancient Greece and Rome's classical status.
Understanding Classicism's Process
- Classicism is a dynamic process assigning value and temporal precedence to cultural works, forming a tradition.
- It involves designating certain works as classical, thereby elevating their prestige and framing their ongoing reception.
Classical Forms Justify Exploitation
- Poet Juan de Castellanos used classical literary tools to depict a maroon leader fighting Spanish colonizers.
- Castellanos simultaneously justified and memorialized his implicated role in slave trading through classical references.
