The theme for this 24th gathering of the Caribbean Philosophical Association (CPA) is inspired by our location in New York City on the eve of the World Cup. The global reach of the World Cup stands as a powerful example of transcultural contact that often reflects multiple levels of struggle within contexts of coloniality, anti-black racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. We invite work that examines how the struggle against colonial power has taken many forms across many kinds of social practices and community-building endeavors. Sport activities, much like artistic expression, brings people together despite cultural differences and creates encounters wherein struggles against oppression are waged. We look to examples like C.L.R James’s Beyond a Boundary, to examine the social situation in which athletes of color come to sport as a way to transcend the limits of their lives even while their talent and ability are exploited by the economic systems that run major sport leagues. As James notes: “There can be raw pain and bleeding where so many thousands see the inevitable ups and downs of only a game.” Possible questions to consider include: How do sports and other collective practices both sustain and challenge structures of power in which those practices are situated? What does it mean to be “sporting” in times of multiple, unfolding crisis? See the Conference Program (pdf). This conference is sponsored in part by Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and the University of Connecticut (UCONN). Participation in the conference is contingent on formal membership in the Caribbean Philosophical Association. To become a member of the association, please register here. If you have any questions, contact Rosario Torres Guevara at rtorres@bmcc.cuny.edu.
