Akoben : performance, politics and foundational narratives of Blackness [article]

Maria Andrea Dos Santos Soares
2015
This is one of those moments I am not sure what I should say, or better, a moment when I do not known where to start. I moved to Austin in Fall 2009 to begin my doctorate at the prestigious University of Texas at Austin. Those who know my origins and social background will understand the meaning of such a huge accomplishment in the life of a working Black woman from Brazil. The fact of being accepted to a US higher education institution is important for sure, but even more important is the fact
more » ... of being able to engage with scholars and colleagues truly dedicated to Black liberation. I am very thankful for having met and worked with the professors of the Diaspora Program, the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, and the African and African Diaspora Studies Department. My deepest appreciation to Dr. João Costa Vargas, supervisor of this dissertation, for his dedicated mentoring and time devoted to understanding my work, and for making huge contributions to my academic growth. I admire your passionate commitment in creating a collective, transnational black utopia of freedom. I am grateful to my amazing dissertation committee for their support, ideas, questions and encouragement to my work.
doi:10.15781/t21p89 fatcat:klznk7vj45a7vdx2p6vjjm6j3e