The Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice (UICSJ) will be hosting a webinar with the theme (Re)moving, (Re)naming (Re)forming, and (Re)presenting: Towards Dignity, Care and Social Cohesion in Higher Education on 24 November 2020. This webinar will ask pluriversal questions with the aim of restoring dignity within new, dense notions of communities that are capable of the kinds of care that grant dignity and worth to all. In particular, this virtual conference will speak to experiences and struggles related to changing how spaces, symbols, artefacts and other oppressive accoutrements endure at universities, conveying meanings, narratives, and cultures that must be overcome. The webinar will (re)centre critical and creative voices. Local and international participants will present multiple dimensions on the struggles involving naming and renaming, as well as the removal, recontextualisation, or replacement of statues and memorabilia, within a broader effort towards social justice.

1. How do we address signs, symbolism, and statues in public spaces that misrepresent or degrade an individual/group with a view to restoring (collective) dignity?

2. How do we address signs, symbolism, and statues that memorialise/celebrate people or representations of history that are controversial?

3. How do we deal with the strong emotive/affective aspects of history and heritage, culture and loss thereof, in a way that enhances dignity and justice?

4. What are the best processes for reconstructing public spaces and who should be involved in broad based consultations?

Speaker: Prof Daniel Green (UWL)

For an interesting background, please feel free to access and watch Prof Green’s YouTube video entitled Racism and Native American Statuary which you can find at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k70-xc811Po.

• Dr Philippa Tumubweinee (UCT)

• Mr Taabo Magume (UFS)

• Prof Susan Legêne (VUA)

• Prof Melissa Steyn (Wits)

Facilitated by Dr Dionne van Reenen (Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, UFS).