Am I Black enough for you?: reimagining coverage of race and identity in a global era of backlash

We're living through a moment where the gains we thought were secure – from DEI initiatives to diverse voices in media – are being systematically dismantled. This panel brings together some of the most compelling voices in Black American media with perspectives from regions shaped by different forms of colonialism to tackle a pressing question: has identity politics backfired? And how do we forge new paths of resistance in an increasingly authoritarian world?
As progressive gains are being reversed around the world, we'll dig into what this means not just in America, but globally. We'll look at how colonial power structures have shape-shifted, whether we're talking about Western colonialism, Soviet dominance, or Ottoman legacies. We're especially excited to complicate the conversation about identity and resistance. Our panelists will share how different experiences of oppression – from American racial dynamics to various forms of cultural and linguistic suppression – can teach us new ways to fight back against authoritarianism. We'll get practical about what this means for our industry. How can newsrooms evolve beyond simplistic identity narratives? What are we missing in our coverage?
Just like Billy Paul's haunting question "Am I Black Enough For You?" challenged listeners to confront their own assumptions about identity and authenticity, we'll push beyond comfortable narratives to ask: In this era of global authoritarian resurgence, how do we measure the "enough-ness" of resistance? What does it mean to be "Black enough," "radical enough," or "authentic enough" in our journalism, our activism, and our solidarity across different experiences of oppression?
Moderated by Natalia Antelava.