Description: In a world where the concept of “race” continues to permeate our societies and shape our perceptions, the need for a radical shift in our approach to combating racism has never been more evident. The “Abolishing Racism: Creating a Future without Race” conference is a groundbreaking event that brings together a diverse range of speakers, scholars, artists, and activists who advocate for racial eliminativism — the bold belief that to truly end racism, we must dismantle the very notion of “race” itself.
Objective: Our objective is to revolutionize how we view racism and antiracism by exploring racial eliminativism—the idea that removing our belief in “race” and practice of racialization—assigning “race” to the human species—from our sociocultural framework is crucial for real, lasting change. We aim to tackle racism at its core, envisioning a world where everyone is respected equally.
Key Themes:
Undoing Racial Boundaries: Discover the history and impact of “race” and why it’s time to dismantle this concept.
Real-World Racial Eliminativism: Learn about practical efforts and strategies for building a community that transcends racial divisions.
Artistic Voices for Change: Experience how art can disrupt racism, encourage inclusion, and imagine a world without boundaries caused by racism.
Conference Schedule
9:15-9:30
Opening Remarks: Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Bahá’í Chair for World Peace, University of Maryland
9:30-10:45
Morning Keynote: Dr. Joseph Graves, North Carolina A&T State University
Racism, Not Race
In this lecture I hope to impart three important lessons:
1. Racism created the idea of race.
2. The idea of race has real effects. It gives cover to racism.
3. Human genetic variation is real (and quite wonderful) and is absolutely not the same as race.
Race is not based on biology and genetics. Race is not “in the genes,” and it is not the same as human variation. Racial differences in opportunity and outcomes cannot be blamed on genetics.
Unpacking this myth of a link between socially defined races and genetic variation requires an understanding of the relationship among social classification, evolution, and how human genetic variation is globally distributed. Once these lessons are understood, we can dispel many myths about race associated with, for example, health, athletic ability, and intelligence, and present a path for living in a more just and equitable world. Because contemporary myths about race are historical, it is critical to explain what race is and what it is not. Finally, I bring our discussion up to the present and look ahead to a more equitable and just future.
10:45 - 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30
Panel One: Philosophy/Theology/Science
Dr. Jacoby Carter, Howard University
Racial Constructionist Fallacies and the Future of Racial Elimination
Racial skeptics such as Naomi Zack have argued that if race is a fiction and does not exist, but racism does exist, then the elimination of race alone is unlikely to solve the problem of racism. This has been taken in the philosophy of race to entail that racial eliminativism is a non-starter because it seems ineffectual in addressing its primary concern which is combating racism. I argue that such criticism of racial eliminativism misses an important point. If the object of racial practices, the social groups whose members are victims of racism, are not in fact races, but instead socioeconomic groups, cultures, ethnicities etc. then at least one practical advantage of racial eliminativism is that it provides greater clarity for those who wish to combat racism of the actual groups who are its victims and the social forces that enable the phenomenon.
Rev. Dr. Starlette Thomas, Good Faith Media
Making Future Arrangements: A Raceless Gospel for Ex- Colored People
Race lacks the dimensions to measure the actual self and the linguistic capacity to affirm all human beings as co-equal. A minority- majority/ inferior- superior orientation, the makers of this pseudo- scientific delusion recreated human beings as colors: beige, that is mixed race, black, brown, red, yellow and white or simpler still, white people and people of color. Not identities but categories, race ensures the fractionalization of human beings for capitalist advancement, political power, and the maintenance of a color- coded caste system. However, there will come a time and a call from those weary of these self and socially- alienating identities as well as the resulting humiliations and indignities suffered. The narrow goals of a post- racial society that summarily suggest we need only put race behind us are insufficient. Instead, compounded and overlapping oppressions and exploitation call for a new message that delivers us from dueling relationships of us versus them and a dualistic reality. Supported by the framework of somebodiness, that is the innate dignity and worth of every human being, a raceless gospel for ex- colored people who want to be understood on decolonized terms anticipates a new world and is making future arrangements.
Dr. Tade Souaiaia, SUNY Downstate
Race, Sports, Genes, and Storytelling
Internationational sporting event’s pit athletes from all over the world against each other. The distribution of winners has long been subject to scientific and sociological scrutiny. Narratives around ethnic specificity merge with mythology about genetics and race to produce popular science stories that serve both to explain outcomes and reinforce their validity. Here we investigate the history of racialization in sport and examine a debate that has been going on for more than one hundred years. Leveraging modern genomics and statistics we investigate the strength of evidence of disparity based arguments and consider how racialism obscures a more robust psychocultural model for athletic performance.
12:30 - 1:00
Lunch
1:00 - 2:00
Afternoon Keynote: Dr. Sheena Mason, SUNY Oneonta
Togetherness Wayfinding: Navigating to a Future without Racism
In this keynote, titled “Togetherness Wayfinding: Navigating to a Future without Racism,” Dr. Sheena Michele Mason introduces the “togetherness wayfinder,” a transformative framework designed to dismantle the illusion of race and effectively end the causes and effects of racism. Rooted in the philosophy that to abolish racism, we must first abolish the very belief in and upholding of race. This approach challenges the deeply ingrained belief in race as a biological or necessary cultural reality. The togetherness wayfinder offers a comprehensive toolkit that includes tenets, tools, philosophies, historical insights, and linguistic strategies to guide individuals and societies toward a future where racism is a reality of the past.
This keynote will explore how the togetherness wayfinder can serve as a practical guide for educators, activists, policymakers, and anyone committed to social justice. It will demonstrate how adopting alternative practices and perspectives can lead to the deconstruction of systemic racism and foster a more inclusive, equitable society. Dr. Mason will illustrate the practical application of this framework in various social, educational, and political contexts, showing how it can be used to navigate the complexities of identity, culture, and power without upholding power imbalances. This keynote is an invitation to join the movement toward a post-racist world, where the togetherness wayfinder lights the path forward.
2:00 - 2:15
Coffee Break
2:15 - 4:00
Panel Session Two: Art/Music/Humanities
Ms. Angélica Dass, Humanæ Project
Photography as a tool for empathy
In Photography as a tool for empathy, Angélica draws on her own personal experiences and creative process to amplify the social message of her photographic works. She is the author of Humanæ, a constantly evolving photographic work that proposes an unusually direct reflection on skin colour. She aims to document the true colours of humanity rather than the false labels ‘white’, ‘red’, ‘black’ and ‘yellow’ associated with race. Ultimately, it seeks to demonstrate that what defines human beings is their inescapable uniqueness and, therefore, their diversity.
Dr. Anika Prather, The Catholic University of America
The Healing Power of Classics: Finding Hope and Healing in the Classical Tradition
Dr. Anika Prather will delve into how the classical tradition has served as a source of healing and hope throughout human history. Through storytelling, music, and her voice, she will highlight these narratives, demonstrating how the enduring power of this ancient tradition remains accessible and relevant to us today.
Mr Greg Thomas, Jazz Leadership Project
Deracialization and the Omni-American Vision
The scourge of race and racialization has poisoned American life from before the nation’s official founding. Is it possible to overcome the racism that results from the concept of race and the invidious practice of racialization? From a deracialized Omni-American perspective, the answer is yes.
Deracialization is a process through which individuals, groups of people, and social structures untangle a web of racial deceit. It resists the hierarchical sorting of humans based on superficial characteristics and the assumptions and stereotypes derived thereby, which becomes racism. One aspect of this process is distinguishing race from culture, which is a firmer basis for recognizing shared meanings, values, traditions, and practices for human fraternity beyond superficial differences.
Cultural forms such as blues and jazz were created by Afro-Americans to embody and express their outlook on the world and the cosmos, as well as their highest principles and aims. A cosmopolitan Omni-American vision, as seen in the works of authors Ralph Ellison and Albert Murray, is rooted in such cultural forms while also embracing the highest principles in the nation’s founding documents. Such a grounded yet transcendent vision allows for a horizon of aspiration in which the many can become one.
Dr Carlos Hoyt, PhD, LICSW, Psychotherapy |Diversity Equity & Inclusion |Educational Consultant
It's Time to Mobilize: Fixing the U.S. Census Approach to "Race"
This talk will engage participants in understanding how the U.S. Census is the critical locus for efforts to correct our "race" problem, and it will be a call to action to begin the campaign for change. It will be based on Dr. Hoyt's presentation to U.S. Census officials: How to Improve the 2030 Census Approach to Race Data Collection. Some useful context for this talk can be found in the Washington Post article: Race isn’t real, science says. Advocates want the census to reflect that. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these resources in order to maximize the benefits of this talk.
4:00-4:30
Wrap-Up roundtable Session
Conference Speakers
This event is co-sponsored by:
