Solidarity, community and the political economy of hurt

Main Article Content

James Arvanitakis

Abstract

This paper considers whether as anti-racist activists we can form a community of solidarity. Critiquing the issue of ‘whiteness’, I consider whether such a community reflects or actually confronts the structures of a political economy of whiteness. Using both academic literature and narrative research I reflect on my own experiences of racism and hurt. These emotional and important issues are then intertwined within the political economy of whiteness.

Article Details

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Articles (refereed)
Author Biography

James Arvanitakis, University of Western Sydney

Dr James Arvanitakis is a lecturer in the Humanities at the University of Western Sydney and is a member of the University's Centre for Cultural Research. James has worked as a human rights activist throughout the Pacific, Indonesia and Europe. He is currently working with the Whitlam Institute looking at issues confronting Australia's democracy. A regular media commentator on ABC and 2JJJ, James' latest book, Contemporary Society: A sociological analysis of everyday life, was launched with Oxford University Press in February 2009. James has worked extensively with a number of non-government organizations, including Oxfam Australia’s International Youth Partnerships and Youth Engagement Program as well as Aid/Watch.