“Imagining a More Just World”: Interview with Julie Maldonado

“Imagining a More Just World”: Interview with Julie Maldonado

29 July 2020

It is difficult to canonize anthropology and anthropological concepts, in part because of the creative tensions within the discipline’s contradictions: a desire and deep respect for local knowledge with a global, comparative perspective, what might be called the “anthropological imagination.” Firmly rooted in—and in defense of—an inclusive vision of humanity, an anthropological imagination inspires “radical empathy.” It offers the scaffolding of a coalitional politics that values the specificity of local struggles but also reaffirms and defends humanity. We must identify the humanity in others, and the common humanity in their struggle, while affirming particular identities and challenging differential privilege: an anthropological imagination inspires radical empathy and solidarity, reminding us, in the words of the World Social Forum, that “another world is possible.” How people learn to cultivate this anthropological imagination and bring it in the service of marginalized groups is not generally discussed, and rarely taught. This article aims to bridge this gap. On October 10, 2018, Julie Maldonado, Associate Director for the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), discussed her new book, Seeking Justice in an Energy Sacrifice Zone: Standing on Vanishing Land in Coastal Louisiana, via video‐conference with Mark Schuller’s Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems class at Northern Illinois University. This interview offers one perspective of a career focused around advocacy anthropology that aims to reach public audiences and policy‐ and decision‐makers in ways that translates scholarly research into information that is most useful for problem solving and enacting change in response to our climate crisis.

VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting – November 16, 2018

American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting – November 16, 2018

On November 16, 2018, at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in San Jose, CA, LiKEN Associate Director, Julie Maldonado, will be a roundtable presenter, for Resettlement as an Act of Cultural Survival: An Update from Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribal Leaders and Partners.

Online Seminar: Social Research Methods with Future Generations University – September 2018

Online Seminar: Social Research Methods with Future Generations University – September 2018

In September, Mary Hufford and Julie Koppel Maldonado began working to develop an online seminar in Social Research Methods with Future Generations University in Franklin, WV. Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, FGU offers a Master’s Degree in Applied Community Development for students seeking to lead community change in places around the world as well as in Appalachian communities, and Tribal communities in the United States. The course will go online in February 2019.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) How We Respond – July 2018

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) How We Respond – July 2018

In July 2018, LiKEN Associate Director, Julie Maldonado participated in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) How We Respond working session in Washington, DC, July 2018. How We Respond is a new communication initiative to highlight how communities are actively and effectively responding to climate change at the local, state and regional levels, and to demonstrate the critical role of science and scientists in informing these activities.

Displaced by Climate: The Intersection of Science, Law & Policy – June 20, 2018

Displaced by Climate: The Intersection of Science, Law & Policy – June 20, 2018

LiKENeer Julie Maldonado delivered the keynote address at Displaced by Climate: The Intersection of Science, Law & Policy, The Collider, Asheville, NC. National and international climate law, policy, and science experts will gathered to discuss how climate displacement has, and will increasingly continue, to affect the U.S. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the particular challenges vulnerable communities such as indigenous peoples are facing and how they are affected disproportionately by climate change. Press release: https://mountainx.com/blogwire/collider-discussions-to-explore-climate-change-related-community-displacement-on-june-20/

Protect Film Screenings – May 2018

Protect Film Screenings – May 2018

In May 2018, LiKENeer Julie Maldonado hosted screenings of Protect www.protectfilm.org, a living document of the caravan of Indigenous and other community organizers at the forefront of work for a just transition from toxic to clean energy – May 17, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA May 18, University of California/Santa Barbara, CA May 19, La Casa de la Raza, Santa Barbara, CA