Decolonise Not Diversify Festival: 2016

Art Against the Grain presents Decolonise Not Diversify: a one-day festival to unpack and challenge dominant narratives. ‘The concept of diversity only exists if there is an assumed neutral point from which ‘others’ are ‘diverse.’ Putting aside for now the straight, male, middle-classness of that ‘neutral’ space, its dominant aspect is whiteness. Constructed by a white establishment, the idea of ‘diversity’ is neo-liberal speak. It is the new corporatized version of multiculturalism… We don’t talk about racism, just ‘lack of diversity.’ – Kavita Bahnot Curated by a collective of artists, thinkers and doers, the day will explore decoloniality through visual art, performance, literature, media, academia, politics, entrepreneurship, & more, provoking shared learning through open conversations. Decolonise Not Diversify will bring together thought-leaders from across the country to feed into the dialogue around #DecoloniseBrum, addressing issues surrounding race and gender head on. The day will host a series of microlectures, conversations, workshops, a DIY art exhibition and marketplace. Talks: Diversity as a Dead-End: Reading White Supremacy by Kavita Bhanot An Introduction to Islamic Decoloniality by Dr Syed Mustafa Ali History of Trauma: The Connection between Colonisation & Depression by Demi Nandhra, Contemporary Other PREVENT and the Criminalisation of Muslims by Afronze Ziadi, University of Birmingham Decolonising Literature & Publishing with Anthony Anaxagorou Decolonising Museums & Established Arts Institutions with Sara Amanda of Exhibit B: Ban the Human Zoo and Charlotte Holmes, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Why Do We Need Black Studies? by Kehinde Andrews, BCU Black Studies Course Workshops: Make Your Own Bath bomb with Sad Girls Club Exploring the Importance of Black Art with Black British Girlhood Decolonising Queer* Identities with UNMUTED Brown Girls Mean Business: The Start-Up Guide with mOmhead Anti-Blackness in Asian Communities with Latifah Stone, Juice Aleem, Sacha Xassan & Wasif Sayyed Unconscious Bias with Joy Warmington, BRAP Zine-Making with OOMK Love Doc Screening + Pattigift Conversation Microlectures: Hyper-Masculinity by Shardia Brisco-Palmer Black Activism by Ornette Clennon An Introduction of the Roadman Experience by Caleb Femi Marketplace: Stop Killing the Mandem Dark Circle SKByDesign mOmhead Byng Inc. and more TBC Plus: DIY Open Exhibition Food Vendors