Continental Congress of LASA in Africa; Accra, Ghana

Conference:  Continental Congress of LASA in Africa, (LASA-Africa 2023) in Accra, Ghana
November 15 – 18, 2023

Presentation:“An Afro-Caribbean Ink Stain in the 'White Creole Consciousness’ ”

Report:

The conference trip was an enriching experience centered on the presentation of my paper, "An Afro-Caribbean Ink Stain in the 'White Creole Consciousness'". The conference, held in the Maison Francaise Room, had a hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual participants, including a diverse audience of Africans and Latin Americans.

During the presentation, a meaningful dialogue was generated that addressed the decoloniality of knowledge and Afrodiasporic heritage from diverse perspectives. It highlighted the importance of education and historical memory, the multipolar geopolitical perspective and intellectual networking.

The interaction resulted in the consolidation of my link with Cameroonian Professor Charles Didier Noa Bela. We discussed in depth the problems associated with the prefix "Afro" and its perception from the African continent, and we conceived the idea of collaborating on a project to create a joint dossier on this topic.

In addition, I took advantage of the conference to establish key contacts for my podcast on Afro-Latin American literature and music. I scheduled interviews with Juan Felipe Miranda, María Gabriela López Yánez, María Camila Vera Arias, Aníbal Hernández Medina and Eric J. Mota, prominent in the Afro-descendant field.

The rich conference programming helped me map the conversation on the Afro-Latin American question in cultural criticism. Connections between literary figures such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, José María Arguedas, and Alejo Carpentier were highlighted, as well as concepts such as triple consciousness and Afropolitanity.

Additionally, the visit to the home of W.E.B. Du Bois and the experiential experience in Ghana brought historical and cultural dimensions to my research. The daily immersion evidenced the African heritage in Caribbean culture through cuisine and music, enriching my personal and academic understanding.

In summary, the conference trip not only cemented academic collaborations and professional connections, but also deepened my understanding of Afro-Caribbean heritage from diverse perspectives, contributing significantly to my research.