Laurent Dubois, John L. Nau III Bicentennial Professor of the History & Principles of Democracy, Academic Director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA, and a prominent historian of Haiti and the Atlantic World, will give a presentation on his current research project on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The talk will be at 4:00 in Hebert 201, with a reception following in Hebert 125D. His talk is co-sponsored by Africana Studies, the New Orleans Gulf South Center, and the Department of History.

Brazil experienced a conservative revolt between 2013 and 2018 that culminated with the rise of far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency. Bolsonaro’s administration intensified an ongoing process of political polarization and conflict, which resulted in his narrow defeat to then former President Lula da Silva in the 2022 elections. The January 2023 attack on Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace by Bolsonaro’s supporters after his failure to concede defeat exemplify Brazil’s significant process of democratic decay. 

The women known as Madan Sara in Haiti work tirelessly to buy, distribute, and sell food and other essentials in markets through the country. Despite the obstacles faced by the women working in a sector that lacks investment, infrastructure and state assistance, the Madan Sara continue to be one of the most critical parts of the Haitian economy and of who we are as a country.

The rise of the far-right is a global phenomenon that is dramatically affecting democracy. Its arrival in Latin America is very recent and in Chile, it is being articulated by José Antonio Kast and the 'Partido Republicano'. In this presentation, Dr. Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser will rely on both quantitative and qualitative data to examine those in favor and at odds with the far-right in contemporary Chile.

Our last Kaqchikel Language Table of the semester is next Wednesday, April 12 at 1:00 pm. Just hop on Zoom to hone your language skills with fellow students and Mtra. Magda Ixk’amey Sotz.