The Fund for Canadian Studies brought together more than a dozen artists, activists, scholars, nonprofit leaders, and journalists for a two-day event exploring the rise of fascism in the present moment.
The opening keynote, held on April 9 in 50 McCosh Hall, featured award-winning journalist Naomi Klein and Inuk lawyer and activist Aaju Peter.
During the keynote, titled “Framing the Long Arc of Fascism,” Peter discussed her journey fighting to preserve the languages and cultures of Inuit communities in Greenland and Canada in the face of increasing geopolitical pressures and threats from the United States government. Then, Naomi Klein explored examples of fascism throughout history, including an ideology she calls “end times fascism,” where powerful actors contributing to economic, social, and political instability embrace the destruction of our world, while protecting themselves from the aftermath. She also gave examples of growing anti-fascist action, including Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, as well as climate, labor, and immigrant justice movements.
On April 10, attendees gathered in the Chancellor Green Rotunda for a full-day symposium that expanded on many of the themes explored in the keynote. Featured speakers explored the convergence of nationalistic beliefs and the rise of multi-racial fascism and the ongoing fight for indigenous sovereignty and examined new models of coalition building. The event concluded with a book talk with artist and writer Molly Crabapple, in conversation with journalist Razia Iqbal (SPIA), about Crabapple’s new book “Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund.”
This symposium was organized by Shiri Pasternak (Toronto Metropolitan University), the Laurence G. Pathy ’56 Distinguished Visiting Professor in Canadian Studies. The event was co-sponsored by the Humanities Council and the University Center for Human Values.
EVENT PHOTOS
The opening keynote, held on April 9 in 50 McCosh Hall, featured Award-winning journalist Naomi Klein and Inuk lawyer and activist Aaju Peter who presented the opening keynote “Framing the Long Arc of Fascism.” The talk was followed by an audience Q&A facilitated by Visiting Pathy Professor Shiri Pasternak (Toronto Metropolitan University). Photos: Charles R. Plohn/Fotobuddy
Azad Essa (Middle East Eye), Ben Lorber (Political Research Associates), and Jeanelle Hope (University of California – Washington Center) were featured speakers on the panel “Multi-Racial Fascism + Coalitions of Insurgency,” facilitated by Keeanga-Yamatta Taylor (African American Studies). Photos: Tori Repp/Fotobuddy
