Professor Homi Bhabha is set to give a lecture on the rise of “barbaric nationalism” and the global migration crisis next month in Trinity.
The lecture, “Dignity in Distress: Thoughts on Migration and Mortality”, addresses the causes of the ongoing migration crisis from a humanities perspective. Bhabha is expected to describe the two faces of “barbaric nationalism”, discrimination and dishonour, and how they have disparaged minority populations both in their home environment and abroad.
Bhabha, a well-recognised figure in contemporary postcolonial studies, is also expected to speak on how political leaders with a disregard for democratic party politics have spurred divisive ethnonationalism. According to Bhabha, these leaders present themselves as pioneers of a mercurial “movement” politics. He will also examine how migrants and refugees face life-threatening risks in deciding to flee danger.
Bhabha is delivering the 2018 Humanities Horizons lecture, a lecture organised annually by the Trinity Long Room Hub. Speaking to Trinity News, Director of Trinity Long Room Hub, Dr Jane Ohlmeyer explained that the team is “honoured and delighted” to be welcoming Homi Bhabha to Trinity for his lecture in the Edmund Burke Theatre on September 24.
The Humanities Horizon lecture is designed to provide a notable contribution to advocacy for and reflection on the arts and humanities. “Professor Bhabha will do this brilliantly,” says Dr Ohlmeyer. “In Ireland we are deeply concerned about the issues – migration, refugees, detention camps, otherness, and human rights more generally – that he will address with such dignity and humanity.”
