THIS YEAR'S THEME:
Archipelagic Thinking & RhizomesDeleuze/Guattari and the Project of Emancipations
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Official Statement of the Deleuze/Guattari Studies in Asia Organizing Committee
The 6th Deleuze and Guattari Studies in Asia International Conference Secretariat is made aware of recent Facebook discussions alleging among others a misogynist intention of the conference to purely showcase an all-male academic talent which, as the contention goes, is an affront to Deleuze and Guattari studies with gender as a key indicator of its contemporary relevance, along with other critical theoretical strands (such as race theory, post-colonialism, feminism, etc.) that in recent years have deepened the understanding as well as broadened the reception of the works of Deleuze and Guattari across the global divide (as they say, between North and South).
We are of course saddened by these accusations. First off, the label misogynist is not only an accusation but, in all appearances, and with all the passion that craves for vengeful outcome, forged on a war footing, meant to isolate this conference as a monstrous enemy, an abhorrent other that deserves the worst beating imaginable. What these criticisms lack is very simple – they are not privy to a line-up of female speakers that we had already sent formal invitations to before these viral initiatives to discredit the conference started to gain traction. In fact, two noted female scholars of Deleuze were sent formal invitations; one in China, and the other in the US. For decorum’s sake, we will not divulge their names. Who knows at least one of the participants to this mounting viralism was in fact among the first to be invited.
Since the Call for Papers for this conference was announced last year, we have received abstract submissions from female scholars around the globe. Gender representation is not an issue as the number of female scholars who responded to our call was overwhelming, not to mention they represent various nationalities and religious orientations, Asians (most of all), Europeans, Australians, Americans, and others. As to indigenous female Deleuze scholars or those whose researches and academic works have overlapped with Deleuze and Guattari studies, at least one of the names mentioned in the FB discussions is a sure speaker for the conference. This had been in the pipeline well before the accusations came up.
In the emails we received, at least one acknowledged that there are customary difficulties in organizing a conference. We agree. We have more than a share of difficulties that they can imagine. The critics should know that this conference is to be held in a country where more than a quarter of the population still live below the poverty line. Talk of representing the underprivileged? They need not look too far.
Now, a simple acknowledgement of the speakers who have agreed so far to participate and share their wisdom in the conference, pro bono, who happen to be predominantly males would not hurt. What the critics must have taken to task is the version of the page on weebly that was then currently under construction; in other words, the information uploaded therein so far was incomplete. But we are sincerely grateful for the two scholars who emailed us to air their concerns, channeling the issues to the proper forum.
We understand the temptation of the click button in this age of viralism. But that is not an excuse to sow intrigues and accusations, especially among academics. Meanwhile, we are truly grateful for people who continue to support the conference.
In parting, at least for now, we wish to quote here a folk saying popular among Filipinos (we aren’t sure if a Google translate would help, but one can try):
“Ang naniniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili.”
6th Deleuze & Guattari Studies in Asia International Conference Committee
We are of course saddened by these accusations. First off, the label misogynist is not only an accusation but, in all appearances, and with all the passion that craves for vengeful outcome, forged on a war footing, meant to isolate this conference as a monstrous enemy, an abhorrent other that deserves the worst beating imaginable. What these criticisms lack is very simple – they are not privy to a line-up of female speakers that we had already sent formal invitations to before these viral initiatives to discredit the conference started to gain traction. In fact, two noted female scholars of Deleuze were sent formal invitations; one in China, and the other in the US. For decorum’s sake, we will not divulge their names. Who knows at least one of the participants to this mounting viralism was in fact among the first to be invited.
Since the Call for Papers for this conference was announced last year, we have received abstract submissions from female scholars around the globe. Gender representation is not an issue as the number of female scholars who responded to our call was overwhelming, not to mention they represent various nationalities and religious orientations, Asians (most of all), Europeans, Australians, Americans, and others. As to indigenous female Deleuze scholars or those whose researches and academic works have overlapped with Deleuze and Guattari studies, at least one of the names mentioned in the FB discussions is a sure speaker for the conference. This had been in the pipeline well before the accusations came up.
In the emails we received, at least one acknowledged that there are customary difficulties in organizing a conference. We agree. We have more than a share of difficulties that they can imagine. The critics should know that this conference is to be held in a country where more than a quarter of the population still live below the poverty line. Talk of representing the underprivileged? They need not look too far.
Now, a simple acknowledgement of the speakers who have agreed so far to participate and share their wisdom in the conference, pro bono, who happen to be predominantly males would not hurt. What the critics must have taken to task is the version of the page on weebly that was then currently under construction; in other words, the information uploaded therein so far was incomplete. But we are sincerely grateful for the two scholars who emailed us to air their concerns, channeling the issues to the proper forum.
We understand the temptation of the click button in this age of viralism. But that is not an excuse to sow intrigues and accusations, especially among academics. Meanwhile, we are truly grateful for people who continue to support the conference.
In parting, at least for now, we wish to quote here a folk saying popular among Filipinos (we aren’t sure if a Google translate would help, but one can try):
“Ang naniniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili.”
6th Deleuze & Guattari Studies in Asia International Conference Committee
Plenary/Camp Speakers
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PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Deleuze/Guattari
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Register here |
6th Deleuze & Guattari Studies in Asia International Conference
5-7 July 2018
Conference Fee: Regular Walk-in: TBA Early Bird: TBA Undergraduate/Graduate Students: TBA Foreign Participants: TBA |
"Underneath all reason lies delirium and drift."