Civil War: Race Under Representation

As part of this fall’s inquiry into civil war, UCHRI is gathering colleagues from across the UC system and beyond for a lecture and seminar discussion about how racial formation and aesthetic tradition mutually constitute what we think of as the essential form of the civil subject: the autonomous, universal individual that has been a bedrock of Western political ideology since the Enlightenment.

Distinguished Professor of English David Lloyd (UC Riverside) will give a talk based on his latest book, Under Representation: The Racial Regime of Aesthetics, which explores the ways in which the founding texts of aesthetic philosophy ground (and are grounded by) the racial order of the modern world. Assistant Professor of Literature Ameeth Vijay (UC San Diego), will offer a response, followed by light refreshments and an open seminar discussion through which the audience and speakers can engage in vigorous debate.

A selected reading from Under Representation that may be useful for framing the conversation is available here. 

The lecture and seminar discussion are free and open to the public. UCHRI is excited to livestream Professor Lloyd’s talk and Professor Vijay’s response via our YouTube channel.