
Sociopolitical and Systemic Dynamics of Race & Privilege in the GCC
Synopsis:
Discriminatory attitudes are not solely directed towards migrant workers and racism in the Gulf does not exist solely as an “us versus them” phenomenon. The discrimination and privileged status within the native population, especially in regards to tribal affiliation, skin color, citizenship, nationality, religious beliefs and social status, play a massive role in dictating attitudes amongst and between Gulf natives and residents.
Discrimination is both sociopolitical and systemic, and progress will require a deep questioning of historical dynamics, social norms, political power, and economic policies. How can intersectional and anti-racist behaviors be embodied in the Gulf in order to correct for discriminatory frameworks? In the face of a global pandemic, how will attitudes towards the disenfranchised continue to evolve? And how do we untangle these discourses of race and privilege in order to better understand and improve them?
Featured Speakers: Dr. Dania Thafer (moderator), Dr. Haneen Ghabra, Dr. Clemenc Chay, and Abrar Alshammari.