ATLAS Speaker Series: Language, Power, and Identity

Language, Power, and Identity: Black Languages as Tools of Liberation and Expression

This panel explores the dynamic relationship between language, power, and identity within Black diasporic communities, focusing on Black languages as powerful tools of liberation and cultural expression. By examining the historical and contemporary role of Black languages, the panel highlights how Black linguistic traditions have resisted colonial erasure and served as sites of solidarity and resistance. Through discussions on Black languages' role in shaping Black identity, challenging dominant narratives, and fostering cultural pride, this panel emphasizes how Black languages continue to be vital expressions of agency and resilience in the face of systemic oppression in school and community contexts. Topics such as Black literacies and Black rhetorics will also be discussed.

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Panelists:

Shenika Hankerson, Assistant Professor, Applied Linguistics and Language Education
Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland
Evelyn Nkooyooyo, Doctoral Student, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland
Gabriel Opare, Doctoral Student, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland
Eliza Thompson, Associate Clinical Professor, Director of Study Abroad Programs, Pediatric Out-Placement Coordinator, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland